As the world marks International Youth Day, Dr. Michael Nwoko, South-South Coordinator of Contact and Mobilisation, City Boy Movement, has called on Nigerian youth to embrace their critical role in national development and contribute positively to the building of a prosperous, peaceful and united Nigeria.
In a goodwill message to Nigerian youth, Dr. Nwoko described young people as the driving force of every progressive society, stressing that the future of Nigeria depends largely on the creativity, energy, patriotism and commitment of its youthful population.
According to him, Nigerian youth should not see themselves merely as leaders of tomorrow but as active stakeholders and nation-builders of today, whose ideas, talents and contributions are already shaping the country’s economic, political, technological and social landscape.
He urged young Nigerians to develop themselves through education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, innovation and responsible participation in civic and community activities, noting that personal development remains an important foundation for national development.
“Our youth must understand that nation building is not the responsibility of government alone. Every Nigerian has a role to play, and the youth, with their energy, creativity and technological knowledge, have a particularly important responsibility,” Dr. Nwoko said.
He called on young Nigerians to support legitimate efforts by the present administration to improve the country, while also encouraging them to hold government accountable through constructive criticism, peaceful engagement and responsible civic participation.
Dr. Nwoko stressed that supporting government does not mean abandoning the responsibility to demand good governance, transparency and accountability. Rather, he said, youth should become partners in development by identifying problems in their communities and contributing practical solutions.
He also appealed to Nigerian youth to reject violence, drug abuse, cultism, cybercrime, political thuggery and other activities capable of destroying their future and undermining national progress.
The City Boy Movement coordinator encouraged youth to leverage technology and social media for productive purposes, including entrepreneurship, education, innovation, advocacy and the promotion of national unity, rather than using digital platforms to spread misinformation, hatred and division.
He further urged young people to participate actively in the democratic process by registering to vote, obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards, voting responsibly and engaging with political leaders and public institutions.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. We cannot build the Nigeria we desire by waiting for someone else to do it. Every young Nigerian has a responsibility to contribute, whether through business, education, technology, agriculture, public service, community development or honest work.”
Dr. Nwoko also called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to continue creating opportunities that enable young Nigerians to thrive, particularly through quality education, employment, entrepreneurship support, skills development and access to technology.
He said a nation that invests in its young people is investing in its future, stressing that Nigerian youths must be given the opportunity to transform their enormous potential into tangible contributions to national development.
While congratulating Nigerian youths on International Youth Day, Dr. Nwoko urged them to remain patriotic, hopeful and committed to the Nigerian project.
He said: “Let this International Youth Day be a reminder that you are not spectators in the Nigerian project. You are participants, innovators, entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders and nation-builders. The Nigeria we desire tomorrow begins with what we do today.”
He called for greater unity among Nigerian youth across ethnic, religious, political and regional lines, saying that collective action, rather than division, would enable young Nigerians to play their rightful role in building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
