allAfrica.com: Nigeria: So the Youth Can Have a Future (Page 1 of 1)

Early this week, the media reported the demonstration of some school children in Port Harcourt, Rivers State over the incessant kidnappings in that part of the country. Children and the youth in that part of the country became tired of the frustrations that go with living in their own country and so they poured out into the streets of the Garden city to register their indignation. The protest in Port Harcourt is one of the symptoms of the decay in our society that has endangered the future of our youth. Besides the condemnable acts of kidnappings and brigandage, there are other factors that have stunted the growth of youth in this society over time.

It is against this background that some emerging leaders of tomorrow came together last year to form the 40Under40 group to take care of indigent youth in the society. The visionaries, with an eye for tomorrow, teamed together under that umbrella to ensure a better future for the youth. As they mark their first anniversary this week, they have lined up a lot of beneficial activities for some school children in the Lagos area. With a focus on promoting Nigeria's international image 40Under40 aims to identify and honour 40 Nigerians worldwide who are below the age of 40 and have excelled in their chosen fields of endeavour. The project celebrates Nigeria's worth while at the same time ensuring the continuation and sustainability of excellence in our country

Mr. Ufo Eric-Atuanya, one of the prime movers of the group said the anniversary would be a variety show for the targeted audience with prominent people in the society, who will serve as role models in attendance. He said there will be a youth leadership interactive workshop with a theme: A Future of Responsible Leaders: Training the Nigerian Child. The programme also mentors 40 younger persons to achieve greatness. Rather than throw the traditional society party to mark the anniversary, Eric-Atuanya said the group opted to organise the event which will add value to the lives of the indigent children and give them the picture of tomorrow. According to him, the basic objectives of the workshop are to assist these youth in developing ethics, develop in them qualities of integrity and accountability; and above all, mentor them to become great achievers. According to the organizers, the workshop will be facilitated by Ms. Robin Renee Sanders, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria. Also expected as role models at the event are; Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Mr. Richard Mofe Damijo, prominent actor and special adviser to Delta State government on tourism and entertainment; and Mr. Supo Shasore, Attorney General, Lagos State, amongst several others.

During the workshop, a forty-five minute aptitude test would be conducted, and three successful participants will emerge and be awarded scholarships and mentorship opportunities. Eric-Atuanya noted significantly that the mentorship programme does not end with the workshop. "We will also register youth to become participants of our Center for Excellence, which would create additional opportunities for these youths to further develop leadership traits", he added.

At the event scheduled for Lagoon Restaurant this Friday, 40Under40 strategic partner, Cisco will be officially presenting its educational training programme for the beneficiaries of the Center for Excellence. The organizers said the first set of the 40UNDER40 Nigeria beneficiaries are chosen from the Ovie Brume's Youth Center and Sponsor a Child Foundation.

According to Eric-Atuanya, the participants at the leadership workshop will be drawn mainly from public schools within the Lagos area and the progress of the successful students will be followed in the coming years. "That way, we intend to put them on a better pedestal to face the challenges of the future in addition to making them better leaders that will sustain the gains of the present generation", he said.

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