Today, the 12th day of August 2022 is celebrated as the day of the youth by the United Nations (UN). This is a special day to draw attention to Nigerian youths, let me to selfish and say Ijumu youths.
The struggles to make it, the pain of redundancy due to ASUU strike, the difficult and harsh economic environment, and the absence of incentives to support the youth of Ijumu as thier peers are supported elsewhere in the world. I can relate with all.of these issues as a Nigerian youth myself, and I can also confirm to you, it is possible to look inwards to chart a path for your prosperity and progress.
Solidarity across all generation is essential to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDG), ijumu youth must relentlessly strive for inclusion. Without social and economic inclusion for the youth the SDG can never be achieved in Ijumu, and Nigeria as a whole. I want to join my voice to that of the UN to ask that we ensure no one is left behind, and as we continue to see the effect of Ageing population on the economic strength of our nation, Ijumu youth should aim to look inwards.
Looking inward for our innate abilities and innovative strength to solve the social and economic challenges confronting our land. As a leading candidate for Ijumu constituency Kogi state assembly, I will aim to partner with the different youth organisations in ijumu to enhance the possibility of a surer pathway to youth inclusion for economic development. We shall aim to open new grounds for international exchange programmes for Ijumu youths and provide opportunities for startups to thrive amongst the youth.
Our plan is to use the dint of legislative strength to project Ijumu as a formidable economic hub and contributor to the GDP of Nigeria and indeed Africa. By so doing, we will attract local and international visitors and investors to Ijumu. As a sustainable development consultant and an expert in this subject, I will join hands with Ijumu youth tackle unemployment, worklessness, and socio-economic exclusion, when elected. Next year’s internatinal youth day will be properly marked and we shall ensure we create an enabling environment for our youth to look inwards to find thier God given abilities for self development.
God bless you and happy international youth day to all Ijumu youth.
Dr. Tokunbo Alaga Olorundami
ADC Ijumu State Constituency Kogi state.