By Victor Gotevbe (Chief Editor)
This weekend, a former Minister of Environment, now the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, spoke to teeming Nigerian youths urging them to become great ambassadors of the country by being responsible drivers of the course for a new Nigeria.
She stated that the Nigerian youths were full of potentials, and should desist from any form of condemnation of their country, but should instead use their God-given gifts to help build the country.
She was speaking at an event held in Abuja. In the event issues about Nigeria were raised and discussed.
In a statement signed by the National Information Officer, UN Office, Nigeria, Oluseyi Soremekun, made available to press, titled, ‘Be proud of Nigeria, don’t condemn her, don’t lose hope’, -DSG Amina J. Mohammed spoke further to young Nigerians.
”You have got an education, you have the tools, and you have a huge future ahead of you, and you are condemning yourself before you start on that journey. Do not do that! Be proud of Nigeria your country; do not condemn her and do not lose hope”, she said.
“If you think Nigeria is worse than better, then how are you going to turn it around?” DSG Mohammed asked.
She wondered thus, “If you do not want to build this nation, I do not know where you want to go. I can assure you the world is not ready to take 240 million Nigerians. Therefore, let’s think about how to salvage it together.”
She spoke about young Nigerians who are quick to draw a comparison between Nigeria and other countries. She frowned at it but stated that if they seek to compare Nigeria with other countries, they should do so with countries with as much population as Nigeria and those whose independence is similar to that of Nigeria. Illustratively, in her attempt to put her message across, she said, ‘Do not compare apples with oranges.
However, she admitted the challenges the country faces when she said, “Whilst I agree that the potential of this country has not been fully met by successive governments, but I disagree with the view that there is no hope; I disagree with total condemnation of Nigeria. Nigeria is a great country and the best on earth.”
She continued, “With every right comes an obligation, to tell the truth. But the truth in many cases come in different colours depending on who is telling it. As an educated person, your statement has an impact on people’s lives. Some people take you seriously because you are educated and in the university.”
DSG Mohammed urged the youths to pay attention to consider the weight of their statements especially as it concerns the country. In her words, “Young people must get involved. There is no reason to throw stones at any institution of government unless you are willing to get into that government and do something about it. It might take you a lifetime, but it does require people to make the sacrifice. If enough of us are pushing in the right direction, there will be a big difference.”
