YOUTH EMIGRATION… A BIG LOSS FOR NIGERIA – DIGNITARIES ALARMED AT UGLY TREND AT RTN. ABINIBI’S INVESTITURE
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
The massive exodus of Nigerian youths is a cause for worry for many citizens in Nigeria. For example, a whopping 4,500 Nigerian medical doctors were said to have emigrated to the United Kingdom alone within 6 years. This issue, some watchers attribute to the failure of the government while others lay the problem at the doorstep of the people themselves, however they all agree that it is a challenge that must be nipped in the bud soonest to avert danger for the country.
The investiture ceremony of Rtn. Babatunde Olawuyi Abinibi as the 10th President of Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA afforded dignitaries to speak on the big issues bedeviling Nigeria. It was never a mere tea party at the event over the weekend. They expressed their views with Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper as they were engaged in separate chats.
L-R: Chairman of the Day, Engr. Yemi Oguntominiyi; District Governor, Rotary District 9110, Nigeria, Rtn. Remi Bello, FCA and President, Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA, Rtn. Olawuyi B. Abinibi during the Presentation of Special Recognition Award to Engr. Oguntominiyi at the Installation of Rtn. Olawuyi as the 10th President, Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Tunde Ayeye stated: ‘One of the concerns I have is what I titled ‘Confused Middle class and the Nigeria Conundrum’ where people that are beginning to make some money neglect the fundamentals of who we are.
This shows when our children don’t want to speak our local language. We don’t even understand our culture anymore. Everybody is emigrating in droves as though we will be better citizens in another land. My challenge for all of us is that we have to look inwards and it starts from the little things – learn your local language, learn your culture, be proud of your heritage – and I believe that it will help us.’
L-R: President, Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA, Rtn. Olawuyi B. Abinibi; Guest Speaker and Chief Launcher, Balogun Gafar Ojetola; Former District Governor, Rotary District 9110, Nigeria, PAG Kola Shodipo and a dignitary during the Presentation of Special Recognition Award to Balogun Gafar Ojetola at the installation ceremony of Rtn. Olawuyi Abinibi as the 10th President of Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA.
‘The people who govern us are not Ghanaians or Chadians, they are Nigerians, they are part of us, we are government. So I have no advice for government at all. I have advice for the people because those people make the government. Let us stop being quiet. Let us be part of the process. Let us ensure that the people we choose to lead us are those who have the interest of the people at heart’, he added.
On his part, the guest speaker, Balogun Gafar Ojetola, ‘I wish that all Nigerian youths will be here today to see how we celebrate integrity, hard work, innovation, vision from what we see from the new President. He is a youth, he represents the youth, he has achieved all this from integrity, focus, vision and hardwork. I wished Nigerian youth will emulate what we see in him. My message to youth is that they can achieve without cutting corners. My message to government is that they should support the innovation of youths.’
Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA Cutting the Celebration Cake…
‘The missing link is that our leaders have not been sincere and they have created a big gap which makes people not to trust the leaders. This gap has also made youths to lose focus, belief because they lack mentorship and that is why we are here. It is unfortunate but we have to retrace our steps from home to inculcate good habits in our children.’
Showing concern about the plight of Nigerian youths, Engr. Yemi Oguntominiyi said: ‘The rate at which Nigerians are taking second citizenship is alarming and is dangerous for the future of the country. Abinibi is only one of the very few Nigerian youths that are getting it right because the country’s leadership is at fault. The leadership is at fault and they have to do something to make sure that youths get it right. He is one of the few fortunate ones among the youths. A lot of the youths are jobless. A lot of the youths don’t have what to do.
Rtn. Olawuyi B Abinibi, the Change Maker President…
Even those who are doing well, the foreign countries are taking them away from us. So we are losing our best, we are losing the future.’
Speaking briefly on the matter with Trek Africa Newspaper, the new President Rotr. Olawuyi Abinibi pleaded with the youths, ‘I will advise Nigerian youths to know that goodwill prevails and integrity prevails. With all of these, if you continue, money will come. I will encourage youths to serve in simplicity and honour, money will come, there is no quick fix to it. I have never written a CV all my life but I have been to places by satisfying my customers. I don’t give up. I don’t give in. perseverance for me is key in everything I do’.
