Rinsola Abiola, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, has urged young Nigerians to take a positive view of their nation's future and actively participate in tackling pressing developmental issues.
Abiola made this statement on Monday, December 4, 2023, during her speech at the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Grants' unveiling in Abuja.
The event, themed 'Catalyzing Youth Agency for the Nigeria We Want,' organized by LEAP Africa, awarded $1.2 million in grants to young Nigerians for the implementation of programs in key areas such as employment and education, peace-building and security, healthcare, ICT and entrepreneurship, climate change and environment, media, sports and entertainment, and civic participation.
Abiola emphasized the importance of youth moving beyond problem analysis to devising innovative solutions, highlighting the initiative as a powerful reminder of each young person's responsibility to the nation, a critical aspect of her role as a government appointee.
“While the government has a mandate to cater to citizens’ welfare, it is essential for ordinary Nigerians, especially the youth, to play a role in bridging the gaps that hinder progress,” she stated.
Abiola highlighted private endeavours such as Andela and the Co-Creation Hub as instances where youth took charge, offered solutions, and motivated government action, resulting in noteworthy advancements.
Noting that Nigeria now has a Minister of Communications and Digital Economy on the verge of designing a national policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) due to such private efforts, she made the point that the initiatives can serve as scalable models for change.
“Barack Obama once said that people who love their country can change it, rejecting the notion of powerlessness often echoed by those who succumb to pessimism. Cynicism may be alluring, but real change comes from hopeful optimists who believe in the possibility of a better future.
“As Nigerians, we must take responsibility for our country’s state and actively contribute to its journey. We are not helpless passengers but co-drivers of change. Let’s ideate, find solutions, and work towards making a positive impact.
“Fortunately, organizations like LEAP Africa exist to multiply our efforts and ensure that our aspirations for Nigeria become a reality,” she stated.
