A youth advocate and the Founder Motivating African Youths Initiative, Dr. Ogenna Walter Ekwubiri has expressed dissatisfaction with some of the challenges withholding Nigerian youths from reaching their utmost best in all they do.
At a press conference in Abuja to mark the 2022 International Youth Day, she said the challenges among others include age related barriers which ranges from Education, Politics, Leadership, Opportunities and more.
Citing from the speech of UN Secretary General on this year’s International Youth Day, she said the world needs to leverage the full potential of all generations.
She said the theme of the 2022 International Youth Day, “Inter-generational Solidarity” implies that all hands should be on deck to build the desired future.
According to her, there is no better time to come together, to talk about most pressing issues and build a Nigeria that works for all irrespective of Age, Religion and Region than now.
She said in addition to Age Related Challenges, there is Sexism, Racism and others which according to her impacts people in ways that prevent them from achieving their full potentials and comprehensively contributing to the development of the nation.
In her interview with Arise TV later that evening, she called for more empowerment programmes for young people, end to ASUU strike so that the students can go back to school, skills acquisition opportunities and gainful employment to make them earn a Decent Living.
She therefore urged that all hands should be on deck to improve the welfare of young people in the country as they are the” Engine Room” .
On the upcoming 2023 general elections, she called on youths to vote for candidates with Competence, Character and Commitment make Nigeria better.
“Every Nigerian has to get involved in not just politicking but in the actual process of choosing these leaders because you would agree with me that we all have to get involved in politics regardless of how dirty you think it is. “
“This is because as far as Nigeria remains a democratically governed nation, politics is a must” she said.
She added that the recent happenings in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have instilled a ray of hope to engender the confidence of young people to participate in electioneering process.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Connected Development, Amb. Hamzat Lawal said in the spirit of Inter-generational Solidarity, Nigerian young people can do more.
He said the destiny of the Nigerian nation is on the hand of young people, urging them to use the opportunity of 2023 election to come out in large numbers to participate.
Others present at the briefing include, Dr Prisca Ndu, the Executive Chairman of Stratevium Technology Services Limited and Dr Abioye Oke, Group CEO Lifestyle Asset Hub and Founder Project 40 Knowledge Hub.
