Good day, everyone.
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY TO EVERYONE.
How do you feel about having this conversation with other young people all over the world? On a day like this, where there are several other young people discussing one thing, “Intergenerational Solidarity”. I am honored to be here with young people from our great party and other youth organizations. Therefore, we should lead to finding solutions to many challenges we face. Let me begin by commending the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Youth Leader and my brother, the deputy national youth leader, for organizing an event to commemorate International Youth Day, which is observed worldwide.
HONOR THE QUALITY OF THE PERSON’S THAT MADE UP THE PANELIST.
Today means different things to different people. Some want to hear what we have to say, others want to know what makes today different, and still, others want to know how to drive this new conversation. Whatever way you think or react to is perfectly understandable to me.
I’m here today so we can talk about our responsibilities toward achieving the theme of the 2022 International Youth Day, INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY. In the end, I believe we would have suggested steps and measures be taken to achieve collaborative generational participation and inclusiveness.
Creating a world for all ages in which everyone’s thinking, regardless of generation, must share an understanding of the resultant effect and implications of that decision on the activities of other generations and must be considered.
We have been called to work together with commitment and dedication to rewriting the wrongs through honest collaboration and solidarity for the betterment of all, so that we can address the growing global challenges, such as terrorism, high unemployment, poverty, hunger, gender inequality, insecurity, and a serious global education imbalance.
To find solutions to some of the issues mentioned, we need people from all generations to work together to create a better world for everyone. Closed doors that led to exclusion must now be opened to achieve robust inclusiveness in all processes or forms of policy or decision making. If we cannot physically be present at every table of conversation, those who form such conversations must bear the burdens and concerns of all generations in arriving at any policy decisions. We must make every effort to make friendship and partnership available to all generations so that everyone can be heard. If we must find lasting answers to the growing global security and economic situation the full actualization of this year’s theme is critical.
If we are to deal with the rising global crisis, conflicts, terrorism, banditry, farmers’ headers crisis, bitterness, and religious and ethnic discrimination, we must adopt the same Intergenerational spirit of friendship, collaboration, and comradeship that we used to combat the COVID-19 global pandemic, which altered all forms of human activity and has now introduced a new order in all forms of activity, from work to business, studies to training, and so on.
We must design all pathway to work together to support one another. We must seek ways to incorporate each generation’s feelings and concerns into all discussion tables; this is not a difficult task, but it requires humility, human empathy, emotional intelligence, and a strong spirit of tolerance. This collaboration will address, both known and unknown barriers to human development and global success. In the end, if we can band together, we will begin to see the best forms of governance across the board, witnessing strong institutions that will put her citizens first, very dependable supportive parenting, the best schools, quality health care facilities, open and choice higher wages. None of this will happen unless we demonstrate responsibility through solidarity.
Whatever I say here and whatever my co-speakers or panelists say, the choice is entirely yours. I’d like to ask you all a question. What will be your contribution going forward, and what problem will you be solving rather than creating? Would you be creating state actors or building drones to support enemies of the state? What would you be learning and discovering?
Whatever we decide today, I urge us to consider the feelings of the generation that looks up to us to make informed decisions that address the concerns that lie ahead. We must not let them down. Amos 3:3 says that two people cannot work together unless they agree.
The words of the scripture have today been echoed by the United Nations.
Can all generations ever collaborate?
If only we can believe in ourselves, and trust each other we can accomplish anything. Because when we choose to open up on our Concerns and dreams, when we seek examples of those who have achieved the life they desire when we seek answers to the challenges that lie ahead of us, our beliefs begin to attract actions, possibilities, and opportunities. Then we’ve started a new conversation by changing the old order. We must not give up until we have found a way to rebuild Nigeria and ensure a better future for all.
May God bless all generations of people, all world leaders, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. MAY I THEREFORE REQUEST THAT WE ALL STAND TO OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR ALL YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED ONE OR MORE NEGLECTS DUE TO BAD LEADERSHIP, RESULTING IN THEIR DEATH, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE NIGERIANS WHO BORE OUR NATIONAL FLAGS BUT STILL WERE SHOT TO DEATH AT THE LIKKI TOLL GATE.
ETERNAL REST MAY GOD GRANT THEIR SOULS AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE ON THEM. MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PEACE, AMEN.
I thank you.
COMRADE JUDE GABRIEL IMAGWE, MON