The African Youths Circle has demanded the inclusion of youths in entrepreneurship and policy formulation by government across the continent.
The group particularly wanted the government across nations of Africa to do more in the area of youth empowerments, arguing that the time is ripe for Africa to have good leadership and also include Youths in conversations regarding policies, entrepreneurship support.
These demands, a statement sent to Platforms Africa read, were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day all African Youth conference facilitated by “Africa Youth Circle.”
“The non-governmental organization is based in Ogun State, Nigeria,” the statement read.
The conference was themed; “Challenges and opportunities for the African youth during POST-COVID 19,” and it was attended virtually by “young business owners and entrepreneurs from various African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe who shared individual and collective experiences during a period of a global pandemic that would promote our development as individuals and as a Nation.”
Welcoming participants, Mr. Tosin Adesile, President of Africa Youth Circle and Secretary, National Youth Network on HIV/AIDS, Population and Development,(NYNETHA),Ogun State explained that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, it was an opportunity for youth to reflect and strategize on ways of lifting Africa out of underdevelopment adding that if the populations of youths in Africa estimated to be over 193 million could agree together to make Africa work, then the change will begin.
Also Speaking, Ruth Afi Agbozo, Ghana who spoke on Entrepreneurship Opportunities for women Africa advised women to take advantage of opportunities around them and turn them to wonderful business.
She further advised women,”Jump start, no matter how hard it may seem like” saying there are many hubs with funding’s willing to assist smart and ingenious ladies.
Delivering keynote speeches, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, Veteran Journalist and Hon. Olusola Otesile, Politician respectively advised used to take advantage of their youthful age and make quality impact adding that Covid-19 has brought sudden reality on us as a nation and Africa which we must take advantage of.
Otufodunrin advised youths to venture into creative skills acquisition as well as make themselves for relevant training and certifications adding that there is no room for youths to be complacent.
Otesile enjoined the youths to make hay while the sun shines saying the time has come for every youths in Africa to take their future in their hands and stop expecting government to do everything for them.
Among other speakers were Mr. Stephen Soneye from Nigeria who spoke on leadership and tinashe from Zimbabwe who spoke on pverty and unemployment among the youths.
The conference agreed that Youths have been too laid back and lackadaisical in the discussions and conversations regarding policies targeted at shaping their future and have left these sensitive issues in the hands of our leaders who are much older and far removed from their own generation saying these has resulted in a disconnect between what the problems are and the policies meant to address them.
Africa youth Circle is a Youth Non-governmental organization that focuses on leadership, development and addresses poor governance structure with the aim at revamping African youths.
