Seizing The Moment as Youths: My take - Mukail
I considered being a Nigerian a blessing - not basically due to the good and developmental environment, but being an optimist and consistent advocate.
Nigeria is a great country with unprecedented opportunities both in human and natural resources and I am grateful the haven affords me opportunity to impact my environment positively but with what i have seen and heard, it is sad to say, the realities down here leaves a sad grimace on the faces of many, ranging from economic challenges to environmental hazards due to our inactivity as a Nation.
This desire to find the missing piece(s) to the puzzle ‘Nigeria’ is gradually being satisfied - we are now moving towards the apt direction. It was indeed a great moment for me to represent Kwara state at the just concluded maiden edition of the Presidential Youth Mentorship Retreat at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library,Abeokuta, where 37 participants each representing their respective states and also youths across other African countries including Benin Republic, Mali and Ghana converged.
The former President of Nigeria, Chief Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) in his welcome address stressed the need for us as a Nation to trigger our creative energy both collectively and individually, as without it, we’d only be a people with potentials, yet unexplored.
In furtherance of his remarks, He painstakingly reiterated the vital role of the youths in leading the race, owing to our abundant energy and desire for a better tomorrow.
Clearly, we haven't done enough as a youth and it is important to muster up both the energy and the motivation to power through and channel the confidence needed to make authentic connections for the right causes, and with mentoring at its core, young people will be able to get the needed guide and protection for them to attain maturity.
At the mentorship retreat, issues discussed ranged from Gender equality, to Education, role of public-private partnership in achieving sustainable development, good governance and agriculture as bedrock of industrialization. These issues are without doubt the crux that distinguish functional communities from non-functional ones.
As an individual, It is always my hope and prayer that our great country will work again, it will once more function as it ought to, where basic amenities would be available, qualitative education is both affordable and accessible,rights of the common man are upheld and our core values as a people are cherished. Gratifying, this event provided me with the opportunity to not only learn,but share my thoughts and experiences with like-minded individuals from around the country and beyond.
Nigeria is labelled a failed state in some quarters, but as I have always maintained, She would only be a failure when both human and material resources are unavailable, which She has in abundance.
As I continue my journey on the back of the interactions I had during this event, I am more rooted and grounded in the deep-seated knowing that it is only a function of time before we see Nigeria and Africa as a whole take their rightful shape: The building process is often nerve-wrecking and tortuous, but the beauty days of this great Nation are truly upon us!
Aileru Olamilekan Mukail
Mukaileru@gmail.com
0 Comments