This imploration was given by the Special adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga at the official unveiling of the Hope for Youth development Initiative, HYDI in line with the International Youth Day celebration 20114.
Olukoga also encouraged every youth to ensure that they put in their best in whatever they do
'To climb a step, you go one by one, be mentally alert, have a good culture habit', Olukoga added.
Olukoga rounded off his imploration with 'a lot of youths have derailed because they don't have the opportunity to listen to elders. Most students get derailed when they indulged in illicit attitude... Most of these are caused upon them by themselves'.
Amidst the celebration, HYDI gave the not less than 200 youths participants a mentoring cum talk session with the help of educationists and professionals present at the event.
The keynote address was delivered by the former Rector of LASPOTECH, Mr Ayodeji Babatunde Iginla, His presentation centered around Youth and mental Health : Bridging the Gap for a Sustainable environment.
Taking a step further, Iginla noted that, 'the economic Situation in Nigeria resulting in youth unemployment and defective infrastructure has generated a lot of stress and hypertension in the youth of the country... The fact remains that only youths with stable mental health can sustain the environment'.
Iginla also added that, 'The purpose of humanity is to strive for a perfect world. The possibility of achieving this depends on the quality of the youth because they are the leaders of the future'
Delivering the last presentation was the guest speaker for the event, the Online Editor, The Nation newspaper, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin who speech focused on Youth, Social Media and Online Preference - what the 21st century Youth should know.
Otufodunrin noted that Social media is not just for idle interaction, it is also a viable tool for learning.
He went further to explain that as much as Social media offers everyone the opportunity to be global citizens, quality time should be used on social media as one doesn't need to be on all social media platforms, thus it should not be taken for fancy.
'Every youth should note that he or she can be googled... What you do online shouldn't contradict your personality. Be warned what you do on your social media platform', Otufodunrin concluded.
The visionier, HYDI, Comrade Ajibike Taofeek also appreciated every participants presents. He also encouraged them to join the movement of positive minded youths either as volunteers with the initiative or as impact makers via the group's social network.
Hope For Youth Development Initiative is a non-profit and non-governmental platform envisioned with the responsibility of restoring hope for the youths and underprivileged; empower them in the development of vocational skills and capacity building in order to make them a better leaders for communal and national development by adding value to the growth of the nation as a whole.
