Give Youth Chance to “showcase innovative capabilities”: Priest in Nigeria to Government

“Youths should correct the mistakes of the past leaders but unfortunately they are following the same path as the past leaders and this is not right,” he said.

Fr. Ogunyemi emphasized the need for “good remuneration for lecturers to mentor the youths adequately.”

Reflecting on the new ICT hub, the Nigerian Catholic Priest said, “This center should be very engaging; a place of contact for impact to build young people, organize conferences, seminars, talks and resources for business, commercial activities and where souls are lifted.”

On his part, CYON President, Chiaghanam Chukwuma Emmanuel, said the center, as the name implies, “is primarily focused on developing resourceful youths within and outside the Church.”

He said, “The Church in Nigeria, beyond providing the spiritual needs of the youths, also needs to do more in the areas of capacity building, skills acquisition and empowerment of her youth.”

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Mr. Chukwuma  called on the government to be “intentional and proactive” with its plans towards the development of Nigerian youths, noting that the world is becoming more digital with each passing day.

He highlighted the reality of Artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of all Things (IOT) Robotics, and others as taking centre stage in the digital world.

“The role of the government and the Church in youth development is indispensable. It has no alternative as the youth need to be an integral part of nation building. The minds of the youth need to be focused on where the world is headed now through training, re-trainings and to try engagements of young people in appropriate sectors and ministries,” he said.

The CYON President added, “This will also ensure that the youth are positively engaged and their attention diverted from social vices which includes; fraud, drugs, prostitution, different forms of addictions, cyber crime and other social vices.”

“The government, through its policy making, should also provide an enabling environment for young business owners and entrepreneurs,” he said.