Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi has lamented that Nigeria’s low enrolment of youths in secondary and tertiary institutions show a lack care for the future of the country’s youthful population.
He said it is disturbing that the average secondary school enrolment in Nigeria is 28 percent as against the global average of 80 percent, while the average tertiary school enrolment is at 15 percent as against the global average is 55 percent.
Obi told said leaders must stop feasting while hardworking youths are fasting, stressing the need to rethink actions and prioritise the future of youths for the nation’s sake.
He said, “I encourage our youths to sustain their hope in our nation and remain committed to our national development. These are very challenging times in our nation, but we must find the strength to keep pushing.”
He, while commemorating the International Youth Day, said the day should remind leaders that youths remain the bedrock of the development of any country, as such their future must be prioritised and placed in the front row of development agenda.
The former governor said for a predominantly youthful nation, investing in Nigerian youths remains critical to overcoming many of the societal challenges which would position the nation on the path of true development.
Obi said most of the raging issues like insecurity, banditry, violent agitations, and uprisings in many parts of the country are obvious results of youth neglect over the years.
“Thankfully, Nigeria is gifted with highly talented and very creative youths who are naturally hardworking and ready to make positive impacts in the nation and on the global stage.
“I have consistently maintained that we must empower the youth through investment in the critical areas of development: education, healthcare, and pulling them out of poverty.
“Such critical investments in our youths will engender a wave of positive transformation and youth productivity which is needed to move the nation forward. Sadly, widespread corruption, lack of committed leadership, poor governance, lack of accountability, and self-aggrandizement on our part as leaders have continued to deny our youths the many opportunities for progress and success. While youth unemployment has continued to rise in Nigeria, there is yet no marked improvement in the education and skill equipment of our youths.
“Our average secondary school enrolment remains low at 28%, while the global average is 80%. Our average tertiary school enrolment remains low at 15%, while the global average is 55%. This does not indicate a nation that cares for the future of its youthful population.
“We, as leaders, must now stop feasting while our hardworking youths are fasting. We must now rethink our actions and prioritize the future of our youths for the sake of our nation.
“I encourage our youths to sustain their hope in our nation and remain committed to our national development. These are very challenging times in our nation, but we must find the strength to keep pushing,” he said.
