The Federal Government has asked youths of Nigeria to take advantage of the current digital revolution to channel their energy to good causes through the acquisition of new skills and knowledge sharing in order to nourish human capacity for the socio-economic development of the country.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the call on Tuesday in Lagos during the ‘Stakeholders Engagement on Internal Security and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria’. According to a statement signed by the spokesperson of the ministry, Mohammed Manga, Aregbesola said “Today’s youth are a peculiar breed. They are a new generation of social media and the power of ideas and intellect.
‘They appear more intelligent and far more enterprising than previous generations.’
‘The deployment of their intelligence is a different matter; which we must all seek to re-channel through positive modeling and gainful employment.’
‘The digital revolution has increased young people’s capacity to bring about positive social change.’
‘ICT gives them the tools to learn new skills, to share knowledge and to nourish human capacity.’
‘As information flows seamlessly around the planet, young people can more effectively act as catalysts for change – locally and globally.’
‘They must therefore be commended for the courage to start a movement that shook the foundation of this nation in a way that has never been done before.’
‘However, much as they are a great asset, they also can be a great risk – to themselves and to the society – if their energy is not positively channelled’, he said.
He observed further that the time had come to rouse the consciousness of their leading lights to confront the charlatans among them.
Speaking further, the Minister stated that the stakeholders engagement was convened to proffer lasting solution to security challenges across the state and the country at large, in order to enhance socio-economic development, especially in the wake of the #ENDSARS protest, promote unity among the diverse ethnic population of the State as well as share knowledge and ideas on matters that could create crisis in the polity and proffer proactive solutions, among others.
He added that security challenges are of global concern, noting that despite the present challenges, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration was working towards attaining the most secure state for all Nigerians and would need all hands to be on deck to ensure its realisation.
He further stated that armed conflicts and terrorism have devastated large parts of the globe, with 17 countries going through one form of armed conflict or the other adding that Nigerians, particularly the youths must not take the relative peace in the country for granted.
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier pledged the support of the people of the State and by extension, the entire South West region, to President Muhammadu Buhari’s led-Administration in its determination to ensure peace and security in the country.
Also at the event is the Minister of Police Affairs, Alh. Muhammad Dingyadi who condoled with the Lagos State Governor on the destruction of properties and also assured that government had put all necessary steps in place to protect lives and property of all Nigerians and foreigners alike. He further reiterated the improvement in the welfare package of Police personnel evident in the increase in their salaries.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK