Nigerian youths have been encouraged to channel their energy and commitments towards the success of the 2023 general election as they did during the End-SARS protest in 2020.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN) LEAD ON conference 2022, on Friday in Abuja, MacArthur Foundation, Country Director, Dr Kole Shettima noted that the End-SARS was really a reflection of the energy, creativity and passion young people have for the county, which could be channelled not just as protest but for developmental courses.
He said young Nigerians mobilized lot of resources during the protest and demonstrated that they can actually organize themselves and work as a team. He urged them to use the same energy to support the development of the country.
“I think the challenge now is that, what do we do beyond the End-SARS protest? Those energies that were brought in, whether in terms of the money that we raised, the network that were established, how do we use those networks in order to channel it towards public service, towards civil engagement? And what difference can that actually have on the country and other things?
“For me, it is the most important story about End-SARS itself. About its own potential to be a change agent for our country,” he said.
Shettima who said that the foundation since 1989 had invested not less than $200m dollars in Nigeria, added that the foundation was committed to working in partnership with the country towards the success of the general elections.
He further advised governments at all level, philanthropists and developmental organisations to invest more in education, healthcare system, slow down the country fertility rate as well as create economic opportunity for the youth.
He said that the measures were important to make Nigerian youth, who constituted over 70 percent of the country’s population a demographic dividend, and not a burden or disaster.
“We are youthful country in the sense that about 70 per cent of our population, the median age is 18.1. So, this is a youthful country.
“This youthful age, can be a dividend, which means it can be of benefit and profitable for people or it can be a disaster for itself,” he added.
Shettima said that while everyone including the government and philanthropists and group need to invest in those areas that would impact of the youth, government needed to take the lead role.
He commended the rate at which Nigerian youth across the world were making impact and progress in the area of sports, entertainment technology development, innovations, civil and public space and services.
Shettima however advised Nigeria youth to develop passion for something developmental, get soft skills, get prepared for opportunities, take the risk, and get involved in what would have positive impact on others people’s lives.
Also speaking, President of the MWFAAN, Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem, said the Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF), provide young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa the opportunity to hone their skills at a United States higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home.
