Fashola tasks youth to drop ‘selfies’ mindset

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has challenged youths in the country to see beyond the on-going craze for taking ‘selfies’ and deploy their zest into building the country of their dreams in their respective spheres.

He gave the charge at the weekend in a lecture titled ‘The youth and leadership in nation building’ to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Ikoyi Club 1938.

According to him, in business, entrepreneurship and innovation, it is the youth who have led the way and demonstrated leadership. “Brands like Microsoft, Facebook and Twitter are products of youthful endeavour and innovation that have re-ordered our world. In Nigeria, brands like GTBank, Thisday Newspaper, Zenith Bank, Dangote Group, Oando and others are products of youthful endeavour.

“I cannot but wonder if this is the mindset that has made the taking of ‘selfies’ with almost every available camera a most consuming and disturbing pastime when that same phone can be deployed for other productive and developmental uses. Every generation of young people must understand their duty, rise up to it, and discharge it not only for themselves, but also for the next generation.”

Fashola’s anniversary lecture was the highpoint of events marking a week-long activity of the 81st anniversary of the club, which came to a close yesterday. The events kicked off on September 21 with a 7.5km charity walk.

Vice Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938, Tafa Zibiri- Aliu, who also doubles as chairman, Anniversary Sub Committee, said the club is built on the foundation of global harmony through recreation.

He said: “The theme of this year’s anniversary ‘Building Family Values’ is targeted at ensuring that apart from the club achieving global harmony through recreation, members of the club and families are encouraged to see the club as a veritable ground for bonding together.”