FIC Report (Abia State) – The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Miss Rinsola Abiola, has called on Nigerian Youths to actively contribute to nation building through effective performance of their civic duties.
Speaking during a Federal Government youth engagement programme for secondary school students tagged “The Next Generation Project” in Umuahia, Abiola said that the path to effective nation building begins with active civic engagement.
“My office has the mandate to promoting civic education and youth leadership development.
“We have therefore 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 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 expressed the determination of the Federal Government to provide platforms that would provide 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 commended the Abia Government for being committed to youth development because young people remain essentially vital to the future of the nation.
“I would like to encourage you all to take concepts such as democracy and nation building very seriously as industry plays a key role in shaping the future of any country,” she said.
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 it remains a highly effective way to contribute to building the future of their dreams.
In his speech, the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, said that it was important for youths to cultivate the character that would enabling them to build lasting prosperity through legitimate ventures.
Issa-Onilu, represented by the State Director of NOA, Mrs Regina Iroha, said that 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.
Also, the Deputy State Coordinator of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mrs Anu Maurice, expressed dismay over the spate of drug abuse among youths.
Maurice said that “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 focuses 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 a welcome development.
They said that the programme had given them access to relevant information that would guide them in their life choices.
The event featured lecture presentations, mentorship sessions, and drama presentations.
Abiakam Gloria Ify
Abia State
