There
is a common saying that youth are the future of any country. Therefore, young
people must be at the centre of development if any country is to achieve any
development goals.
With
70% of Africa’s population under the age of 30, the continent has the largest
youth population that presents immense potential for growth. But it depends on
how we look at the large youth population. We should not just look at the
number of youth as a challenge, or a problem to be managed.
With
the largest youth population in history, the continent has the greatest
opportunity in history, because with each young person, we can have new ideas
and new energy. The fact is that the large of number youth means African has
immense potential and unusual ideas coming from different backgrounds and
culture.
Fresh
ideas can be found in younger generation. Africa must invest in young people to
secure its future – there is need to invest in, take actions an amplify
opportunities for young people. Across the continent there are great examples
of achievement of exemplary young inventors and innovators that represent the
very best of what can happen when we partner and invest in young people.
What
our country needs today is to combine our collective resources irrespective of
our political affiliations and tribe to foster meaningful development. It is a
fact that no meaningful development can take place if there is disunity among
the people in any society especially among its youth.
However,
national development as we as know is the ability of a nation to improve the
lives of its citizens. And the extremity of all national development is to
enhance the lives of the citizens within the context of a growing economy. This
cannot be achieved in isolation, thus the need for concerted efforts by all to
enable the country achieve the lofty goals it has set for itself.
Let’s
support youth innovation to achieve meaningful result.
“The
power of youth is the common wealth for the entire world. The faces of young
people are the faces of our past, our present and our future. No segment in the
society can match with the power, idealism, enthusiasm and courage of the young
people.“
Kailash
Satyarthi
