The country director, ActionAid, Nigeria, Mrs. Ene Obi, has called on youths in the country to concentrate on the indices of nation-building by shunning negative tendencies that would jeopardise their future.
Addressing youths at a one-day summit in Kano Friday, Obi said it was evident that the “youth of the present generation can help realise the noble goal even in the face of many challenges including poverty, conflicts, injustice, marginalisation and unemployment.”
She disclosed that “in Kano state today, unemployment rate in the second quarter of 2022 stands at 59.43% while the level of illiteracy according to UNESCO is at 52.32%,” lamenting that the grim statistics “is worrisome.”
“I encourage you to make informed non-violent interventions to change the narrative about young people that promotes positivism, bringing about success stories, giant strides, unmatched synergy towards unity, and development of sound democratic values “
“I charge you people to actively participate in peace building, informed and conflict sensitive commentary on national issues as I call on the government to be proactive in tackling security challenges in the country.
“I would like to appeal to Nigerians to desist from fake news by taking the advantage of the fact that information could easily be verified through various channels. Endeavour to investigate the source of any news item. more so, this is not the time to make jokes out of sensitive issues as they usually instigate fake news and promote violence,” she said.
Speaking earlier, the executive director, Disputes Resolutions and Development Initiative, formerly known as Democratic Action Group (DAG), Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Yahaya, stressed the need for youth to be conscious of the implications of joining the “forces of retrogression at the time they are expected to contribute their widow’s mite in building peace and creating the avenue for the country to progress and move forward.”
