Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election has blamed insecurity, banditry, violent agitations, and uprisings in many parts of the country on youth neglect over the years.
The Labour Party Stalwart who made the assertion in a statement he posted on his X handle on Monday to celebrate the nation’s youth on the occasion of the International Youth Day, reminded the leaders that the youth remain the bedrock of the development of any country.
He noted that for a predominantly youthful nation like Nigeria, “investing in our youths remains critical to overcoming many of the societal challenges we face today in trying to position the nation on the path of true development.
“Thankfully, Nigeria is gifted with highly talented and very creative youths who are naturally hardworking and ready to make positive impacts in the nation and on the global stage.
“I have consistently maintained that we must empower the youth through investment in the critical areas of development: education, healthcare, and pulling them out of poverty.
“Such critical investments in our youths will engender a wave of positive transformation and youth productivity which is needed to move the nation forward”, he said.
The former governor of Anambra State, however, expressed sadness that widespread corruption, lack of committed leadership, poor governance, lack of accountability, and self-aggrandizement on the part of the leaders have continued to deny the youth the many opportunities for progress and success, stating that while youth unemployment has continued to rise in Nigeria, there was yet no marked improvement in the education and skill equipment of the youth.
According to him, the nation’s “average secondary school enrolment remains low at 28%, while the global average is 80%. Our average tertiary school enrolment remains low at 15%, while the global average is 55%. This does not indicate a nation that cares for the future of its youthful population”.
“We, as leaders, must now stop feasting while our hardworking youths are fasting. We must now rethink our actions and prioritize the future of our youths for the sake of our nation.
“I encourage our youths to sustain their hope in our nation and remain committed to our national development. These are very challenging times in our nation, but we must find the strength to keep pushing.
“The task of building a New Nigeria remains our collective responsibility. Through our perseverance and commitment, the New Nigeria becomes even more POssible. Happy International Youth’s Day to all Nigerian Youths”, Mr. Obi said.
