Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed delight, saying Junior Chamber International has reinstated his hope for a greater continent of Africa.

Obasanjo made this known at the Africa and The Middle East National Presidents virtual meeting held on Saturday.

The former President pointed that with the quality of young people in the organisation, he is more hopeful about the development of the continent of Africa through their impacting programs.

He however, urged the participants at the meeting to embrace change, saying it is the only thing that is permanent in the life of human beings and institutions, adding that nobody should be afraid of change.

According to Obasanjo, education and understanding the world we live in are major ways to foster positive changes around the world as people need to realize for that change is imminent.

“You must prepare yourself educationally for the world that is changing. Your education must be far and wide enough to prepare you for the changing world. I am not talking about classroom education alone, I am talking about education you get in all facets of life”, he pointed.

He added that people don’t appreciate the community they live in, let alone the nation and region they live.

“We must mentally and psychologically prepare for the world we live in. When we talk about change, some change will be gradual; some will come like Tsunami or storm. Whether it is political, technology, social or other sort of changes, we must be very prepared for it”, he said.

Obasanjo commended the determination of JCI’s members in their effort to make the world a better place to live, urging them not to forget their coming together which is stronger than their individual capacity.

The former president also called the presidents at the meeting to further identify problems at their different nations and find ways to solve them.

“African and Middle East are faced with the problem of insecurity; your responsibility as youths and members of JCI is to ensure peace in those regions of the world. There are a lot that we can do to bring out some of these solutions in your regions”

On the issue of the pandemic, he said there must be ways to do something in every corner of the world, Tough time does not last forever, tough people overcome tough time”, he urged.

“From my experience with JCI over the years, I believe that the members all around the world have a lot to offer to everybody in all over the world.” he said.

In his words, the National President of JCI Nigeria, Abiola Olorunnisola appreciated the former president for his fatherly wisdom and the advice he has offered to the national presidents of the organisations in different countries of Africa and the Middle East.

Olorunnisola promised that all the advice given by the former president will be adhered to and will help the organisation in making future plans in driving development changes in both Africa and the Middle East.

In view of the precarious situation of the Endsars protests and its urgly aftermaths, that led to 5 demands and further demands for good governance, as a fundamental parthway towards achieving this great milestones and optimal panacea, the apex umbrella coalition body of the various Nigerian youth led organizations: Nigerian Youth Coalition(NYC), alongside Coalition of Southern Groups (CSG) led by Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (YCYW),Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council, Ijaw Youth Council, Association of Southern Nigerian Students(ASONIS), while Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) led by Arewa Consultative Forum and others presented three cardinal bills: National Youth Development Commission Bill, National Youth Right Bill and Education Right Bill to the leadership of the National Assembly: House of Representatives through Hon. Jide Obanikoro, Representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, Hon. Yemi Adaramodun, Chairman, House Committee on Youth Development, Hon. Ibrahim Alli- Balogun, SA to the Speaker on Youth Matters for onward submission to Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, while on behalf of the upper chambers, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya of Kano South Senatorial District received for onward presentation to the Senate President, Senator Dr. Ahmed Lawan, while another was submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari through the Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare for onward accelerated passage and accents respectively.

As part of the exerpt of the National Youth Development Commission Bill which is aimed at regulating and creating an enabling environment through the instrumentality of the law to create youth standardization and regulatory institution committed to the pprovision of laws for the protection of all rights and privileges for all youths between ages 12 to 45 years of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, irrespective of sex, ethnicity, religion , ideology or political affiliations, expected to be simultaneously domesticated in all the 36 states and FCT respectively.

This bill is expected to ensure the establishment of a National Youth Trust Fund, which shall remain accessible to all Nigerian youths through an established National Youth Microfinance bank institutions in all the 774 local governments nationwide, wherein specifically monthly 10%(Subject to increase and acceptability of all Nigerian Youths) Youth Derivatives before joint sharing by the federal, states and local governments from the federation account through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Revenue Accounts, furthermore 5% Telecommunications Funds via deductible tariffs charges by telecommunication companies in Nigeria, and 5% Oil and Gas Revenue Fund deductible on every revenue of sales from the NNPC, NLNG and other oil and gas private companies nationwide, and any other national youth investment funds, schemes and national youth policy plans supports shall be deposited solely into the National Youth Trust Fund, directly funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

While the National Education Right Bill is aimed at regulating and creating an enabling education rights and privileges law, wherein not less than 25% budgetary allocation shall be alloted and released to the education sector, with other positively driven ideas and unprecedented advantages that will reshape the Nigeria’s education sector , wherein Education Trust Fund, TETFUND and other education related schemes and funds shall be regulated by the National Education Development Council.

This bill shall equally provide for free and qualitative education from primary, secondary, adult literacy and vocational training, while special education grant and scholarships to students in university and other tertiary institutions shall be given to the indigent and other less privileged citizens.

Thus, this bill reiterate the need for compulsory teaching of the following subjects: history, anti corruption studies, citizens rights and national security studies, moral instruction and code of conduct studies and indigenous languages in our education curriculums Nationwide.

The National Youth Right bill will provide for the protection of youth rights in accordance with the African Charter of Human Rights and Universal Rights , while all leading youth organizations like NYCN, NANS, NAPS, NYO, NYP, NYC, CFNN, CSG, CNG shall be duly recognized by the new bill, if passed this will go a long way to aggressively salvage the ailing problems in Nigeria.

We demand the need for all Nigerians to join voices with us towards the realization of a new Nigeria of our dream.

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.

With the advent of the Soro Soke Generation opening up the more and speaking up with more vigor and agility, desiring and strategizing for a more engaging and transformed nation, Youths for New Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter has joined other state branches to organize a Youth Summit to discuss and move forward the agenda for a more youth focused governance in Lagos and Nigeria at large. Whilst a lot of people have been known for the talks, it is important to identify some young players in the political and social service space and do what is necessary to not just raise light bearers but to also lead the path.

On the lineup of speakers are seasoned and experienced actors including the young and vibrant Hon. Opeyemi Apatira, the Supervisor for Youths, Sports and Agriculture, Ojodu LCDA and also Founder, Foodlink.ng. He comes to share his experience on how he contested almost four years ago and made his way into the position mostly held by the elderlies. Mr Gbenga Agoye has had his fair share in the political space, he comes to shed light on the steps to take to be politically relevant and contribute to nation building even while holding no political post or appointment. Mr Michael Sasere leads the Voice of Hope Nigeria movement in Osun State and has had his imprints in the politics of Alimosho Local Government Area. YNN board would be ably represented by Mrs Adebimpe Adedeji to further encourage everyone of the sincerity and purposeful leadership being propagated by YNN.

Comrade Sunday Obanubi, National Coordinator is inspired that youths across the nation are taking responsibility outside of the old ways of waiting for government to do everything, as that is the major key to demand accountable governance and effective leadership. Comrade Dayo Adeleye, the Lagos State Coordinator is pleased to welcome everyone to the summit as we brainstorm and position the youth for a New Nigeria. For participation, please click on link https://forms.gle/AaCCgzkfcgEsDwG26 to register as limited seats are available. Follow YNN on all social media for more updates on this and other events happening simultaneously nationwide.