A prodemocracy activist and co-convener of The Asiwaju Group, TAG, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, has called on Nigerian youths to continue to be resilient and dogged in the face of challenges facing them.
Mr Abdullahi made the call through a statement signed on Saturday to commemorate this year’s International Youth Day, IYD, which is being celebrated across the globe.
The Kogi-born politician stressed that youths across the globe deserve to be celebrated for their courage, skills, tenacity of purpose andradical temperament to enforce changes when the need be.
He said: “The 2023 theme for your day has been chosen to be, ‘Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World’. The idea for such theme is not far-fetched in a world that is faced with emissions and climate change.
“Your impact in instituting the necessary tools and institutions to combat the threats that face us all is fundamentally germane. Hence, the need for tapping into your skills to engender a sustainable and habitable humanity.
“I must commend your resilience, doggedness and result-driven passion in whatever you choose to embark upon. This is why it is very important that the danger our world faces today has you as the ‘saviour’ to stem the tide of extinction that stirs us in the face.
“As a fulcrum for development that you all are, the world awaits your interest and readiness to unleash that God-given talents of yours to make positive changes and make our world a better place.”
Mr Abdullahi stated that without youth’s contribution to the global economy, this World would have been a hell on earth to live.
“As a young man who finished from college, I can tell you that my aim was to go places with a zeal to succeed against all odds without involving in any criminal activities. This, I was able to achieve and today, I have God to thank for my achievements.
“But this would not have been possible without the passion, commitment and unwavering zest I put into my struggles. This is what I want to advise you to imbibe – the ‘can do’ spirit.
“Our world today needs you more than ever. We want to tap into your skills in this technologically-driven age. We want your expertise in this age of AI. And we believe you have a lot to offer as the world grapples with the new order,” Mr Abdullahi added.
The philanthropist, therefore, urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the Renewed Hope agenda of the new administration in the country.
“The decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership to give more space for the youths is not by happenstance. It is a deliberate decision because he believes so much in you to drive the necessary positive changes the nation needs to revamp.
“You must therefore prove yourselves as worthy partners in driving a new Nigeria hinged upon greater future and shared prosperity. You must eschew violence, jettison crimes and embrace high moral rectitude.
“You must channel your skills towards adventures that will better foster the image of Nigeria across the globe. You must represent your fatherland well and protect her image with all your strength.
‘With your readiness, let Nigeria’s image soar high in the comity of Nations. With you as the beacon of hope, a new Nigeria is possible,” the TAG Convener added.
