Africa Bridge Initiative Organised a top notch Summit in Lagos tagged Youth Development Summit 2021, Saturday 4th of September 2021.
Remarks by the Lagos State first lady Dr. Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu
“It gives me great pleasure to be here today at the Annual Youth Summit organized by Africa Bridge Initiative. I am particularly always excited whenever I attend youth gatherings like this because you represent the future and also crucial to the development of any society.”
“It is common knowledge that young people are full of life and they bring fresh and innovative perspectives to the usual way of doing things. Youth development is pivotal to the gross domestic product of any nation; therefore any opportunity to empower young people should be encouraged.
The theme of this year’s summit: “Bridge the Gap” is apt as it has been deliberately selected to address the high level of displeasure amongst our youth, especially as our nation is grappling with the effect of the COVID 19 pandemic.”
“The aim basically is to transit our youth from the point of vision to the destination of manifestation of their aspiration for the benefit of Lagos State as well as the nation at large.
In Lagos State, we are passionate about youth development. This is why the present administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has been working assiduously towards building a great future for the youth and others with various interventions under the THEMES Agenda.”
“Recently, the Annual IBILE Youth Academy was concluded. The programme, which started four years ago, is designed to build a new generation of leaders with a positive mindset to embrace the virtues of citizenship, leadership, and volunteerism for self-development.
There has also been a deliberate commitment to provide the future for the youth from today, especially through entrepreneurship opportunities. In this regard, I note the Free Soft Skills training across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the state, as well as the Solar and Inverter Installation programme, among others.”
“Through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the state government is also providing an opportunity of access to capital to fund innovations and entrepreneurship. For me, young people have a role to play in bridging the gap by keying into the opportunities being provided by the state government.”
“In closing, let me appreciate the Africa Bridge Initiative for putting this Summit together and I urge you to continue to do your bit to provide opportunities for our youth. This is important because the youth is the hope of our future and we must do everything necessary not only to support them but also to help them to realize their dreams and aspirations.
I thank you for your attention.
Igbega Ipinle Eko; Ajumose Gbogbo Wa Ni!!!”
Prof Tunde Babawale In his own remarks highlight some key issues facing Nigeria of today.
We must fight criminal cases among our youths gangster, kidnapping, prostitution, etc.
We must respect our national unity
We must be law abiding
We must be a good Ambassador
We must acquire knowledge
Cultivate a democratic attitude
Learn to be job creators
Be careful who you associate yourself with
You must be self disciplined
Nigeria educational sector is in crisis
Our public schools are in serious crisis
Hon. Dayo Israel remarks share his experience how he started his journey as a child in order to make things right by getting involved in the children parliament, using his school fees to organized program for children of which hosted people around Africa, and enjoin them to volunteer everything is not about money, serving is as the results of where he his today as the Permanent Board Member of LASUBEB and definitely more are still coming.
Hon Dayo Israel charged the participants that today is a result of what we did with yesterday, so also Tommorow will be a result of how we spend today.
“How are you spending today, are you being hostile to people today because you are in charge, because you will become frail someday and those you
overlook may be the ones to hold
your hand. And you young fellas,
what you become in 20 years will be
as a result of your life actions from
now. E se rere”
Voluntarism and its relation to Youth development by Ruhamah Ifere- Co founder, The Youth Evolve. This is INVOLVING in an act of selfless activities, most especially COMMUNITY SERVICES. Volunteerism is the practice of providing time and skills for the benefit of other people and causes rather than for financial benefit.
What is Volunteering? This is generally considered an altruistic activity where an individual or group provides services for no financial or social gain “to benefit another person, group or organization”…. as defined by wikipedia. Volunteering is doing something voluntarily while making others happy or fulfilled. Who is a Volunteer? A volunteer is an individual who deploys his/her skills, time and sometimes monetary contributions towards the achievement of a common goal geared towards a cause.”
“Collaboration is when a group of people come together and contribute their expertise for the benefit of a shared objective, project, or mission. There are skills to garner and refine too when you volunteer. Volunteers are very necessary. They contribute vital skills and expertise to nation building, as well as play a huge role in the growth of organizations and initiatives. when young professionals identify a community and the issues or the cause that they want to change, they come together and address this issue.”
“Many of us are aware of the SDGs I.e The sustainable Developmental Goals and that we are in a decade of action. Now the question that begs for an answer is who is a Volunteer? There is strength in Diversity and so they work together to contribute their part in creating the change they want.”
She highlighted time and skills because those are the basic ingredients in volunteering and for the interest to volunteer. Time is very precious to every individual and becoming a volunteer at an Event, Outreach, organizations etc does not translate into the fact that it is abundant but because of the desire to contribute to a cause and to ones society, we create the time.
Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart– Elizabeth Andrews What this means is that, we have 9 years left to implement the SDG goals.
“At this juncture, it is important that I point out that the erroneous belief that Volunteering is for the unemployed or for those that have lots of time to waste. Africa Bridge Initiative is a initiative for the youths. Please keep the passion burning and empower and enlighten the youths to become Nation Builders.”
Hon. Ajibola of ward F2 Surulere LG, narrates what his experience like within the short period into office as a Councillor, he advised the youth to get involved by getting their voters card and always ensure they vote.
NDLEA Assistant Commander Mrs Titilope emphasize on drug abuse amongst our Youths which she implore parents to do lots of monitoring with their children and counsel them.
She gives lot of example from her line of work, as a parents always have time for your children don’t play the card of you’re always busy, Children should always be the number one priority of the parent.
In her closing remarks she advised the youth to desist from taking any forms of drugs, drugs destroy you and it has nothing to offer you, we can different cases of drug abuse on social media, in that case don’t do it she round up.
INEC representive remarks she emphasize on the voting turn out of the just concluded election about complaining votes doesn’t count of which she said it’s lie voting count.
She encouraged them to get their PVC and Support their choice they know can perform and they ensure they stand by their votes till counting so there won’t be any form of election malpractices.
The founder of Africa Bridge Initiative Mr. Taiwo Opeoluwa appreciate the speakers for taking out of their busy schedule to attend the Summit,also appreciate the participants for been patient from the beginning of the program to the end.
AjasaInfo 