I join youths everywhere in the world today to mark this years International Youth Day. I celebrate the fact that everyday in the various climes of the world, the youths are noted as some of those who are making very impactful contributions to the advancement of humanity. In science, governance, academics, technology, the media,and every other areas of the affairs of men, the youths have been remarkable transformational agents. Almost as much as we have been the drivers of the 21st century world as we know it today, we have also been active players in global unrest, directly or indirectly. My major concern of late has been the increasing involvement of youths in armed conflicts across the world. More than most other scourges, armed conflicts practically consumes young people on daily bases, cutting short dreams and hopes. The youths must think towards redirecting their energies from violent engagements so as to stop the ongoing fertilization of the ground for more and more deaths globally. It is important that we reflect on the role which we play in our various communities in seeing to the end of international and non-international armed conflicts. We must ask ourselves how significantly we are channeling our energies towards achieving a more secure world. From Chibok to Allepo, and from the enclaves in south Sudan to Gaza, global peace must be the business of every youth in the world today. We must begin to question our individual and collective actions and task ourselves on the need to create a more harmonious world. Youths in Africa particularly must take this time to reflect on tomorrow and on the next generation. The UNICEF has made a startling revelation that by 2100, more than half of the children in the entire world will be children born in Africa. This calls for deep reflection among todays African youths on what future awaits a continent like ours. Let me thank H.E. President Goodluck Jonathan for his rare show of confidence in Nigerian youths. I was very pleased when I read the presidents call on our youths to push for an amendment of the Nigerian Constitution so that the age limit of 40 years for President will be brought down and enable them to contest for president before 40. He promised also to see that the move scales through if we make the attempt. I appreciate His Excellencys gesture. There is no better time to challenge ourselves than now that we have the opportunity to contribute to the building of our country. Besides Mr Presidents urge on us to step up our game, we have begging opportunities everywhere in Nigeria today to show leadership. I therefore call on Nigerian youths to rise above sentiments to take up the responsibility of securing our tomorrow through courageous positive deeds. As I always tell my friends, we must at all times think of the next generation. The youths should resist the temptation to engage in actions other than those that will help prosper our immediate communities, Nigeria, our continent, and the global society. May God continue to give us the grace to be able to challenge ourselves towards actions that will bring glory to Him and our nation, our continent and the world at large. Amen! A very Happy International Youth Day to my generation.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 20:07:18 +0000
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