Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has implored the youth of Africa not to accept the saying that they are tomorrow’s leaders.
“The saying that tomorrow belongs to you should not be accepted and discouraged,” he said.
Speaking at this year’s African Youth and Governance Convergence in Accra, Chief Obasanjo noted that the forebearers of Africa’s independence were youthful people, adding that “they were not old men and old women waiting for the future before they acted”.
The former Nigerian leader was emphatic that “tomorrow begins today and so there is no time to wait“. He urged African leaders to allow the youth to explore now so that their mistakes will be corrected earlier for the swift take off of Africa Beyond Aid.
“In finding solutions to problems lies wealth, so the youth should come out with innovative ideas to solve the continent’s problems,” he stated.
Using a young Ghanaian farmer Nana Agyei Boafo who was honoured for his contribution to the Agric sector as a role model to many young ones who aspire to be farmers, Chief Obasanjo added that the youth can use Agribusiness as the centre of the value chain.
“From the point of developing equipment for the preparation of land, up to the food on the table, is a whole value chain that can provide employment for many, and also make us independent in food production to feed ourselves and to be food secured, nutrition secured and to be able to banish poverty,” he added.
Asked how more African youth can venture into agribusiness, he explained that the youth have to make models for their cause.
Touching on how he felt about the honour done Nana Agyei Boafo, the 25-year-old farmer who has built houses through farming, Chief Obasanjo urged the youth to aggressively pursue farming, adding that “it is the right way to create business and be gainfully employed.”
He expressed his appreciation to the convergence for honouring Nana Agyei Boafo’s contribution and urged more youth to embrace agribusiness.
The conference has now been transformed to be a convergence of African Youth and deserving persons ushered into its fellowship.
Source Peace FM Online