International Youth Day: Amosu charges youth to be active in peace, nation building

The Ogun State Governor, Senator. Ibikunle Amosun has charged Nigerian Youth to think out of the box and be actively involved in promoting peace and Nation building.
Amosun gave the charged today at the International Youth Day Celebration organized by the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ogun state Chapter in Collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports with the theme ” Youth Building Peace” held at Valley View Auditorium Government House Isale Igbeyin Abeokuta.
The Governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Afolabi Afuape said youth should be at the forefront of peace making across the country, adding that the present youth are not ready to take up challenges.
He said the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo came into power in his late thirties and made an impact in virtually every aspect of the economy, saying the present youth should look inward and see areas that their impact could positively be felt in the country.
Also speaking the Patron of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ogun state Chapter, Dr. Kashimawo Laluko said building National Peace start from the youth themselves, adding that youth should stay away from social vices such as political tugs, cultism, robbery and gangsterism.
Laluko who was represented by member of the National Advisory Council, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mrs. Odutayo Yinka, said the role of the Nigerian youth in Nation building cannot be waved aside, stressing that youth should see themselves as future of today and not tomorrow.
In his vote of thank the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ogun state chapter, comrade Adeleke Adebajo said the choice of the theme was meant to inculcate into Nigerian youth that they can be agent of change and peace maker in any communities they may find themselves, he added that youth are ready to partner with the state government at various levels in the crusade of maintaining peace in the country.
“Nigeria, with a youth population of more than 70% is truly blessed. Nigerian youth are the undisputed driver of our economy ; the economy with the largest GDP in Africa, Our Youth form the bulk of our armed forces ; the strongest fighting force in sub-Saharan Africa and we are world Champions as exemplified by Anthony Femi Joshua.

However, in the midst of all this celebration, it is my sincere wish that deliberations to improve youth participation in governance and youth empowerment take the front burner” Adebajo said.
United Nations Secretary General, Anthonio Gutteres, said “young people are an enormous asset to our societies. We must cherish them, invest in them and empower them”.
Special Adviser to President Mohammed Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire, said youths are strong advocates of the Sustainable Development Goals. “Young people are critical actors in conflict prevention and sustaining peace”.