Senior special assistant to the president on citizenship and leadership, Rinsola Abiola, has called on young Nigerians to be active citizens and to develop their leadership potential.
The charge was contained in a statement released by her office to commemorate the New Year.
Citing an example with the pre-independence Nigerian Youth Movement, Abiola urged young Nigerians to be inspired by the antecedents of historic figures who made significant contributions to nation building and development in their prime.
“Ninety years ago, in 1934, the Nigerian Youth Movement was formed. It was a multi-ethnic organization established with the aim of promoting the political advancement of the country and the socio-economic welfare of Nigerian citizens.
“It was led by Professor Eyo Ita, who was then in his early 30s, and it was a group of vibrant young people who greatly desired a Nigeria that worked for all.
“Our history as a nation is replete with examples of great Nigerians who joined the fray as young men and women, and left indelible prints in the sands of time.
“To be Nigerian is to have the seed of greatness within you and to be a young Nigerian especially is to have a legacy of greatness that you must live up to; it is therefore important for our youth to nurture their leadership skills and contribute meaningfully to nation building and the attainment of development goals,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of unity and cohesion, and charged young people to learn about governance and promote democratic ideals.
“Let us as young people resolve to be more actively involved in how our nation is governed, to learn about the structure of government and the roles and responsibilities of those officials who are serving in our states and in the federal government, and to seek ways to positively influence the democratic process through constructive engagement.
“As we make resolutions on self-improvement and career growth, let us also resolve to be informed and active citizens who are committed to democratic ideals and nation-building,” she said.
She further urged young Nigerians to be good ambassadors of the country and to align with the call made by President Tinubu in his New Year broadcast, where he asked Nigerians to cast aside their differences and work together for national development.
“Let us commit to doing what is right at all times and to being good ambassadors of not just our country, but also of our generation. Let us be model citizens who foster unity and cohesion, who prioritise positive digital citizenship, and think about how our actions impact others,” Abiola said.
