CPPA tasks Nigerian youths on national development

The Centre for Public Policy Alternatives (CPPA) has tasked the Nigerian youths on the need to contribute to national development through sound education and acquisition of skills that would reduce over dependence on white collar jobs.

The CPPA gave the charge at its 21st Century Youth Forum with the theme: “Incorporating Youth In Development,” in which it enjoined the youths to evaluate the present state of the country’s development, what the future portends for young people and to properly situate their role in Nigeria’s development.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CPPA, Dr. Folarin Gbadebo-Smith said that the event served was a platform for deep reflection on the future.

“There is a new world on the horizon – a world filled with opportunities and threats depending on which side of the divide you’re on. The government and its institutions matter a lot.

“Actions and considerations of government heavily influence the country’s economy. But if we engage with the future constructively, there will be a different outcome. We cannot always wait for the government,” he stated.

He also identified lack of planning as one of the factors affecting the country negatively insisting that nations compete based on plans.“The first step of planning and getting things done is having a certain consciousness, one must be conscious of his/her environment at large: from local, state, national to global level. Thus, whether we have a boom or bust nation tomorrow largely depends on the actions we take today,” he said.

While presenting the findings of a survey of Nigerian youths in Lagos, Uzoma Chimankpam Williams said the 21st Century dialogue series was aimed at addressing key issues, strengthening dialogue in Nigeria, expanding participation in politics and civic life, providing information and ideas to guide public discourse.

He said the programme provided the platform to discuss the country’s challenges of which one component was incorporating youth in the nation’s development.
In a panel discussion titled: “Youth Values, Religion and the Future of Nigeria,” Dr. Fatai Olayemi said religion has a major role to play in youth development and values consist of an individual’s concept of right and wrong.