OJN Annual Symposium: Amb. Nihi an Epitome of Vision, Gov Bello says »

…Charges youths to be disciplined while putting on the right attitude.

At this year’s annual OJN Symposium, held in Lokoja the Kogi state capital, youth leaders and stakeholders from across Nigeria and Africa converged to discuss in-depth, issues affecting Nigeria and African youths under the theme The Political Atmosphere: Renegotiating the Place of Youths Through Commitment, Resilience, and Action.

Speaking at the event, governor Yahaya Bello who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku commended Ambassador Oladele Nihi for his relentless effort in seeing to the organization of the annual event, describing Nihi as one of the many young people with a fertile mind and as one that is bold and audacious.

In his remarks, Asuku preferred to differ from other speakers at the event when he noted that majority of issues confronting Nigerian youths in negotiating for relevance and inclusion in the process of governance stem from religious sentiments.

Pharm Abdulkareem further stated that religious leaders instilling the right lessons in youths will help build the right attitude in them thus reducing the high rising level of indiscipline in the lives of youths. For him, having the right attitude is all that is required to become the best.

“Success is a ladder, only those with the right attitude will climb up the ladder”. He said.

He therefore, charged the youths to correct the menace and put on the right Attitude guided with discipline as the sky shall be their beginning point.

Prof. Rotimi Ajaye, the event’s keynote speaker, urged youths not to disappoint destiny. He used the academic profile of Professor Damilola S Olawuyi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalowa University, as a case study to drive home his point that youths can lead in many areas of life, not just in politics and governance.

In his address, he emphasized some important key points such as Relevance, Commitment, Engagement, and having the Brainpower to occupy critical positions crucial to the development and progress of any sector of the economy. He urged the youths to establish their Principles around an acronym he identified as WIV (Will, Integrity and Value).

Delivering his welcome address, Oladele thanked guests and participants for honouring and gracing the occasion. While noting that the OJN Annual Symposium is a platform for youth leaders and youth stakeholders from across Nigeria and Africa to discuss in-depth topical issues affecting Nigerian and African youths.

Papers aaround the theme of the event were presented by Mr. Awodi Sheidu and Mrs Charity Ijese Imole. While Comrade Umar Dan’Assabe Muhammed chaired the panel discussion.

High Point of the event witnessed the celebration and cutting of cake to mark the 34th Birthday of Amb Oladele John Nihi, and the presentation of awards to winners of online paper presentation.

Other Dignitaries at event included Deputy Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rabiu Alfa, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mrs. Ayoade Folashade Arike; Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru; Idris, Hon. Wemi Jones, Mr Richard Osaseyi, NYCN President, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, State Chairmen, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Members of NYSC, Royal Fathers among others.