Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Miss Rinsola Abiola, has urged Nigerian youths to actively contribute to nation building through effective performance of their civic duties.
The Presidential Aide spoke during a Federal Government youth engagement programme for secondary school students tagged, “The Next Generation Project,” held in Umuahia, Abia State.
She said that the path to effective nation building “begins with active civic engagement.”
Abiola said: “My office has the mandate to promote civic education and youth leadership development.
“We have partnered with the NOA on this initiative which we have tagged the Next Generation Project.
“As the name implies the aim of the project is to offer mentorship and leadership development opportunities to young people in the next generation.
“This engagement here in Umuahia is the very first one taking place in Southern Nigeria,” she said.
According to her, the programme underscores the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the empowerment of youths in the South-East Geopolitical Zone.
She said the Federal Government would provide platforms and resources aimed at nurturing the potential of Nigerian youths and steering them in the right direction.
“We have to support them with the resources they need to develop into model citizens who positively impact their communities and grow academically and professionally with the right value system and personality traits,” Abiola said.
She urged young people to take democracy and nation building very seriously as leadership plays a key role in the future of any country.
Abiola called on youths to become active citizens by fulfilling civic obligations like voting, participating in community development efforts and other beneficial activities.
She also urged youths to consider careers in politics and public service as they remain highly effective way to contribute to building the future of their dreams.
Abiola commended the Abia State Government for being committed to youth development.
In his speech, the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, said it was important for youths to cultivate the character that would enable them to build lasting prosperity through legitimate ventures.
Issa-Onilu, represented by the State Director of NOA, Mrs Regina Iroha, said the nation’s prosperity remains dependent on its economic success, as well as the values and attitudes of its citizens.
“For this reason, the National Identity Project becomes highly important to redirect all Nigerians, irrespective of class, ethnicity, and religion, to the ideals and values for which we are traditionally known and used to build our societies and their institutions.
“In a fast-changing world where science and technology have reduced the world to a global village, we need to define our identity and values and live according to them if we must sit in the committee of nations,” he said.
In his address, the Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, said that rate at which youths engaged in cybercrime was alarming.
Olukoyede, represented by a senior official of the Commission, Miss Theresa Nwosu, urged youths to desist from engaging in cyber crime because of its destructive impact on the society.
“Cybercrime is a plague that is destroying the fabric of our society and this one thing that agency is dealing with seriously,” he said.
Deputy State Coordinator of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mrs Anu Maurice, expressed dismay over the spate of drug abuse among youths.
Maurice said “there is no excuse that is good enough for one to engage in drug and substance abuse.”
She said that being assertive and equipped with relevant information about the dangers of drug abuse remain an effective strategy for tackling enticements to engage in the vice.
In an address, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Goodluck Ubochi, said that the state government prioritises youth reorientation and development because of its role in driving its rebuilding agenda.
Ubochi said that the government had evolved programmes and policies that focus on encouraging young people to be patriotic.
He urged young people to take advantage of the youth engagement programmes organised by the Federal Government to be active participants in nation building.
In separate interviews with newsmen, some students, Master Allwell Jamin, Miss Confidence Kelechukwu and Miss Comforter Chikezie described the programme as very educating.
They said that the programme had given them access to relevant information that would guide them in their life choices.
Student-delegates from various schools in the state participated in the event that also featured lectures, mentorship sessions, and drama presentations.
