The Center for Innovative and Pragmatic Development Initiative (CIPDI) has called on the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to harness the potentials of youth to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
It added that “strong, resourceful and resilient youths are key drivers to the successful implementation of all SDGs.”
A statement by the spokesperson of the Center, Malam Abdallah el-Kurebe to commemorate with the youth on the 2022 International Youth Day celebration, called on governments to equip the youth “with the tools, resources and platforms, to engage world issues, challenge the status quo, build and develop systems and strong institutions.”
CIPDI described this year’s theme: “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages” as thought provoking and apt with all the happenings in our environment.
The Center observed that the youth could be used as major agents of change in achieving sustainable development goals, adding that the youths should be equipped with the tools, resources and platforms, to engage world issues, challenge the status quo.
According to el-Kurebe; “CIPDI believes the youths can be harnessed as major agents of change in achieving sustainable development goals. Our focus must be on several pertinent youth issues in Nigeria and Africa at large.
“Therefore, as Leaders of today solving tomorrow’s problems, it is pivotal that youths are equipped with the tools, resources and platforms, to engage world issues, challenge the status quo, build and develop systems and strong institutions which are hallmarks of effective leadership.
“We therefore call on the government, corporate bodies and all relevant stakeholders to invest in educating, and equipping the youths of Nigeria, with the tools and resources they need to soar higher.
“We also call on the federal government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to find and come to a middle ground to end the ongoing strike and ensure that our universities are opened and functional for the students to resume studies,” he said.
