Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has charged youths with facing the future with confidence despite the challenges rocking the country, noting that the challenges will be surmounted eventually.
The governor made this charge yesterday while addressing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members during the graduation of the current batch at the Lagos State Orientation Camp.
Makinde, whose daughter was among the corps members, admonished the youth to explore the opportunity provided by compulsory service to the nation, to lay a solid foundation for the future, and not to take the assignment lightly.
According to him, some youths would meet their life partners during the service as he did about 34 years ago, while some would form business alliances that will last into the future, hence the need to be focused and responsible.
He said: “I want to thank the camp officials for having me here today. It is an excellent opportunity for me to address the future leaders of our country.
“I did this 34 years ago when some of you were not yet born. But I want to tell you that you are starting a journey that will take some of you to the peak of your ambitions.
“Thirty-four years ago, I would not have thought I would become a governor in Nigeria. So, we have future governors and presidents here.
‘You can only point out two things: my daughter is among you today. This means some of us, as your leaders, are also human. We also go through what you go through, and we also go through what your parents go through.
“When I talked to the representative of the Lagos State governor, I said I couldn’t believe my daughter would stay here for three weeks because she wanted to stay for one night, but it turned to three weeks.
“She told me that she enjoyed herself, though she said some people bullied her. And I told her to welcome the real world without protection, and you must do whatever they do.
“I want to especially thank the Camp officials for accommodating and welcoming her here.
“For all your corps members, the state director mentioned that you should not travel out of the state without permission. A lot of corps members get involved in unnecessary accidents because they embark on journeys that are not necessary.’’
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