A development expert and Editor, Social Development News (SDN), Mrs. Funmi Falobi has called on youths to stand up for a better society; good governance, integrity, leadership, and other things that would make Nigeria a better place.
Falobi said this at an event organized by the African Foundation for Peace and Love Initiative (AFPLI) in commemoration of the International Youth Day 2022 with the theme “Stand up, Speak out! Act”
According to Falobi, youths must speak out against bad governance, social vices like drug abuse/addiction, rape, violence, cultism, and other things that would hinder the development of the family, society, and the nation.
“We must Act. We must not just leave our lives to chance. We must take deliberate steps to improve ourselves in our academics, skills acquisition, leadership programmes, and community engagement,” she added.
Talking about humility, networking and mentoring, Falobi said “the old generation needs the potential and talents of the youth for sustainability and continuity. Thus, we all need each other to survive and make the world a better place.”
The Programme Director of AFPLI Mr. Adeola Ogunlade also charged the youths to stand up and make their voices count on issues that matter.
Ogunlade made references to men and women who have stood up and had their voices counted on issues that matter in our world today.
He mentioned Martin Luther King Junior, Malala Yousafzai, and a host of others who have struggled against adversity to enable future generations to have greater freedom of choice, religion, equitable education, sustainable livelihood, a clean environment, and gender equity, among others through nonviolent methods.
Speaking on the theme of the day, one of the facilitators, Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye, the Publisher of BONews Service also highlighted the need for youths to stand up to their rights and participate effectively in leadership.
Oladunjoye also noted that youths in their different capacities should contribute to the development of the nation, whether in leadership or not, as it is important to shape the future of the society.