– Abuja
The Federal Government has praised young Nigerians for their technological ingenuity and resilience in the face of challenges, urging them to identify and stamp out the charlatans among them.
Interior Minister Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the call on Tuesday in Lagos during a Stakeholder Engagement on Internal Security and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria.
In his speech, entitled “Lagos is the destiny of our race,” Aregbesola described youth as the pride and glory of any people.
According to a statement signed by the director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Mohammed Manga, said the minister; “The youth of today is a peculiar race. They are a new generation of social media and the power of ideas and intellect. They seem smarter and much more enterprising than previous generations, displaying their intelligence is a different matter; that we should all seek to re-channel through positive role models and paid employment.
“The digital revolution has increased the ability of young people to achieve positive social change. ICT gives them the tools to learn new skills, share knowledge and nurture human capacity.
“As information flows seamlessly across the globe, young people can act more effectively as catalysts for change, locally and globally.
“Therefore, they are to be congratulated for the courage to initiate a movement that shook the foundations of this nation in a way that has never been done before. However, as much as they are a great asset, they can also be a great risk – to themselves and to society – if their energy is not channeled positively, ”he said.
He observed that “the time has come to awaken the conscience of its protagonists to confront the charlatans among themselves.” These charlatans, he said, are the elements capable of dragging society because, according to him, their activities are destructive both for society and for themselves.
Aregbesola urged young people to take advantage of the current digital revolution to channel their energy towards good causes by acquiring new skills and sharing knowledge in order to nurture the human capacity for the socio-economic development of the country.
Earlier, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, pledged the support of the people of Lagos and, by extension, the entire Southwest, to the administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari in its determination to ensure peace and security. in the country in order to promote the socio-economic development of the nation.
Also speaking, the Minister of Police Affairs, Alh. Muhammad Dingyadi, expressed his regret for the Lagos state government for the killings of some people and the destruction of property.
While reiterating the improvement in the welfare package of police personnel that is evident in the increase in their salaries, he assured that the government has taken all necessary measures to protect the life and property of all Nigerians and foreigners alike.
In his remarks, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu urged the Federal Government to grant a special status to the state to enable it to empower young people with jobs. This, he said, will address the concern of young people.
