Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, and others on Saturday emphasized the importance of involving the youth in nation-building to make Nigeria a great nation.
Oba Ogunwusi, Omotoso, and others made the call while speaking at the 13th Convocation of Caleb University, Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos. They noted that youths should perceive themselves as leaders of today rather than tomorrow and, therefore, actively participate in nation-building, contributing their quota to the growth of Nigeria.
Omotoso, who delivered the convocation lecture, titled “Closing the generational gap between the old and young in Nigerian politics,” posited that there was an urgent need to bridge the generational gap between the old and young in the nation’s politics for improved development and progress.
He identified youths as leaders of today, urging them to brace up and avoid peer pressure that could jeopardize their attainment of greatness as leaders. He applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administrations for appointing many youths in their cabinets. He encouraged graduating students to think outside the box for entrepreneurial engagement rather than seeking unavailable white-collar jobs.
“The common cliché that youths are leaders of tomorrow is no longer in tune with present-day reality. What becomes of tomorrow is determined by what happens today. So, the more everyone grasps the fact that youth are actually the leaders of today and not tomorrow, the better for all.
“Looking at the example of the younger members of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet in Lagos State, one is bound to reaffirm that the future is now. Fortunately, they are yet to disappoint the people as they cover themselves in glory through trail-blazing performances.
“To further harness the peculiar talent of youths in the state, Governor Sanwo-Olu has prioritized youth empowerment in all his budgets. All the budgets of the current administration since 2019 have been carefully designed to meet the aspirations of the teeming youths by focusing on sectors with job-creating potential like agriculture, construction, technology, and security,” the commissioner stated.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, in his address, applauded the University for raising the bar of education and discipline in 21st-century youths. He urged the youth to actively participate in nation-building and contribute to the growth of Nigeria.
Oba Ogunwusi used the opportunity to call on the Federal Government, led by President Tinubu, to take urgent steps in addressing the suffering commuters were going through on Ikorodu/Itokin Road, urging timely rehabilitation to complement other social services along that route.
Other dignitaries at the occasion included the former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the representative of Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, traditional rulers in the Ikorodu Division, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was represented by Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Adegoke Fayoade, among others.
