NYCN Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Commemorates Int’l Youth Day With Symposium

…as Coordinator, Adigun Ibrahim Becomes Boys Scout L.A Chairman Mushin Division

No fewer than 1,000 youths and prominent individuals from across the state and beyond gathered at the secretariat of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to commemorate the International Youth Day with a symposium organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) of the council.

The event held on Wednesday at the multi-purpose hall of the council secretariat had in attendance influential political leaders in the council area as well as leaders of the youth body across Lagos state and the southwest region.

With the theme; Green Skills For youth: Towards A Sustainable World, discussions, in various segments, were centered on how green skills – Skills that contribute to reducing pollution or conserving natural resources – could be better utilised to promote a sustainable society.

The panel session anchored by veteran broadcaster, Prince Prince Ibrahim Oladega featured discussion from knowledgeable individuals from various walks of life such as the Executive Director, Green Janitors Comrade AbdulSalam Asade, Executive Director, the Emerald Engr. Abeeb Olajide, Former Deputy Chairman, NYCN Lagos, Comrade Bolaji Belinda, Head LIRS IT Unit, Hon. Olu Ajayi, Associate, Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Ambassador Olanrewaju Basit and Mrs. Andu, Assistant Director National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mushin on the importantce o green skills and how to maximize them to foster a sustainable society.

One of the recommendations of the panelists was the inclusion of green skills into school curriculum to expose individuals to the phenomenon right from tender age.

In the words of Ajayi; “This program is nothing but a success. The application of green skills through initiatives like this would be appreciated in most of our schools, at tertiary level, secondary school level and even at primary school level because I think we need to catch them young and I think it’s at forum like this that we need to do more advocacy, more sensitisation and ensure we meet with all stakeholders.”

Speaking further he said; “Forum like this is a laudable concept and I think the organisers of today’s event performed wonderfully, marvelously well in putting today’s event together.

“We need to do more advocacy and sensitisation on green skills because by cat hung them young in school we need to change our orientation. When people drink a sachet water, for instance, they throw the nylon and bottle indiscriminately. We need to understand that these things ought to be recycled. When they throw things away, we need to understand that they could be regenerated through performing other production successes even to make income. We need to imbibe these green skills in the mind of the youths.”

According to the coordinator of NYCN Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Engr. Adigun Olalekan Ibrahim, the event was the youth body’s way of raising awareness about green skills as he reiterated that all hands must be on deck if the global goal Is to be achieved.

His words: “August 12 of every year is a day the United Nations has set aside to celebrate youths across the globe but this year’s is not without a theme which is what today’s symposium is all about. We share in UN’s conviction that more advocacy should be made about green skills considering some of the challenges we are facing. Talk about climate change and what a view. They believe there’s a need for us to integrate green skills in every sector of life and that is why today, we’ve invited seasoned personalities to discuss with us issue related to green skills as they concerns the youth.”

Speaking further, the engineer cum vibrant youth leader opined that achieving a sustainable environment; “is a tripartite thing, it is not something that government can do on their need. The government needs the people, they need the youths. Like our slogan says, “build the youths, build the nation”, without the government integrating young people into what they are doing it might not be successful and that is why we appreciate the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the executive chairman of our LCDA, Hon. Rasaq Olusola Ajala.”

Adigun went on to advise the youths to; “See green skills as an opportunity to maximise because there are a lot of opportunities in the green space,” as he hinted that in few days the council chairman would roll out various green skills initiatives for residents to benefit from.

Another major highlight of the event was the decoration and inauguration of Adigun as the L.A Chairman of Mushin Scout Division by the commissioner, Mushin Divisional Scout. This was done amid special parade by the paramilitary organisation.

Dignitaries in attendance include, the vice chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Hon. Seyi Jakande, Lagos State Chairman of NYCN, Comrade Biliaminu Oba, the Vice Chairman, Lagos West, Com. Jamiu Ademosu, the Fmr Chairman NYCN Lagos State, Ambassador Olayinka Oresile, Comrade Bolaji Belinda; Fmr Dep. Chairman, NYCN Lagos, Com. Olalekan James, Comr. Lanleyin, Comrade Gbadedo Africa, Comrade Monsuru Olugbade, High Chief Olukayode Odunuga and Convener of Lagos Youths For Sanwo-Olu, Ambassador Luth Lijirin, among others.