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| Dr.Dakuku Adol Peterside |
Dr. Dakuku Peterside, All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in the April election in Rivers State has described young people as a critical part of every
society. He said that the future can only be guaranteed if meaningful time and resources are invested by today’s leaders in youths who evidently, are society’s future.
But Peterside who is also a youth, called on young people to acquire quality education and life skills so that they can achieve their purpose in life.
In his message to mark World Youth Skills Day, the former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) said issues around youth training, particularly with regard to skill acquisition must be taken seriously by government and the society at
large.
“If we all agree that our youths are tomorrow’s leaders, then we cannot afford to pay lip service to their affairs. The undeniable truth is that the youth represent our future. And if we truly care about that future, then no investment will be too much in securing this collective future which young
people symbolize.
“We all know how we got here regarding the decline in enterprising spirit of youth. Most people still remember the
exploits of youth which were evident in achievements of young people across professions and endeavours, including the progressive students’ movement of the 1970s and ‘80s
which was driven by the youth.
“Today, economic realities, social dislocation, loss of values
and unnecessary distractions have had a devastating effect
on the lives of young people. Yet, it will be uncharitable to
say that we do not have youths who are celebrated
nowadays.
“I am personally impressed with the activities of young
Nigerian professionals on world stage who are making us proud with their skills in literature, sports, environmental issues, activism, science and technology, public
administration and other areas of human endeavours.
“But more work still needs to be done in preparing and
equipping our youths for life’s voyage. And acquiring the
relevant education and skills remain the only tools that can
drastically reduce turbulence in their life’s journey.
“Therefore as we mark World Youth Skills Day, I know that we can actually create more youths with life skills by providing encouragement and support to those willing and
able youths who desire skills and instructions in new areas of life. The world, obviously will be better if more youths have skills, education, employment and access to good lifeas these would have significantly addressed issues of idleness, joblessness and crime”.
SYLVESTER ASOYA
Special Assistant (Media) to Dr. PETERSIDE
