The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Olusade Adesola has commended 110metres women’s hurdles world record holder, Tobi Amusan, for her unprecedented feat at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Dr Uchechi Iweala, a young Nigerian who was the first to perform a successful navigated lumber spinal infusion using a robot as well as many other young Nigerians who are blazing the trail in different areas of human endeavours across the globe.
The Permanent Secretary gave the commendation at the ongoing First West African Youth Security Summit holding at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
He said, “For instance, the very dynamic Nigerian creative industry now dominated by young professionals has garnered a global audience and huge international acceptance. The same goes for young Nigerians in the academia, sports and other professionals where youths of the continent are blazing the trails, new world records as recently recorded by the buga Queen, Tobi Amusan, who set a new world record in hurdle and defended the title all the way in an unprecedented achievement.
‘In a similar vein, Dr Uchechi Iweala was reported to be the first spinal Surgeons in Maryland, USA to have performed a successful navigated lumbar spinal infusion, using a robot.”
Mr. Adesola further added that in the same vein, back home, many young people are now showing renewed interest in governance and politics than ever, as seen with the recent upsurge in voting registration and PVC Collection across the country. “Here at home, there is also a new, re-invigorated interest in governance and politics by the youth population. An unprecedented number of Nigerian youths have taken the time and pains to register so they can participate in our forthcoming general elections, he explained.”
According to the Permanent Secretary, going by the United Nations October, 2022 report which estimated the African population at about 1.4billion,representing about 16.72% of the global population, with a further break down of 70% estimated to be below 30 years, it shows that African continent has youth dominance and hence the future of the continent rests squarely on young people. He went further to explain that the security of any nation is the foundation on which any meaningful growth and development is anchored, stressing that no society can thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity, chaos and confusion.h
He also harped on the imperative need to explore the assets of the vast youthful population of African Continent to ensure the security of the West African sub-region. He therefore, praised Pan-African Youth Union and the National Youth Council of Nigeria for leading the initiative in this regard.
The Permanent Secretary who equally lauded youths across the sub-region for taking practical steps to forge synergy with a view to finding solutions to common challenges confronting the continent, urge young people across the continent to widen and intensify their exploits until they see the Africa of their dream.
Earlier, in his opening address, the Secretary General of Pan-African Youth Union, Dr. Ahmed Bening who remarked that the contribution of youths of any nation is key to nation building, believed that the inclusion of young people in enthroning peace and security within African continent remain critical for driving the social development and integration of Africa.
On his part, the Commandant of Nigeria Peace Corps, Ambassador Dickson Akor called on Nigerian youths to take the lead in ensuring that 2023 General Elections is peaceful
