The National Coordinator, YALI Network Nigeria, Ms. Olufumi Olaosun gave the advice at the 2023 YALI Network Nigeria National Summit in Abuja.Ms. Olaosun said policies on national development should be made in such a way that young people are been carried along.
She said;“We are calling on every young person out there, we want you to think as a change agent in your community. And the beautiful thing about change, I will say you don’t have to reach one million at a time, it starts with 10, 100 right in your community. If you do 10 in your community and I do 10 in my community, and several others, we have reached thousands already.
And that way change is, a ripple effect, and with innovation, we are coming up with sustainable solutions because that’s very critical. So as young people, what we want you to really start thinking now is what you can birth and the solution to proffer because you are right there, so you know the unique challenges, so you will know the right solution.
Start thinking as a change agent and birth the solution because Nigeria is our.”
On the newly created Ministry of Youth, Ms. Olaosun is optimistic that it will be an avenue for young people to have a sense of belonging.She said; “Now that we have something fully dedicated to young people, it means that organisations such as ours can effectively work with the ministry to strategically focus on youth, yes we will be of great benefit, and we look forward to collaborating and bringing even other youth organisations on board to ensure that we come up with initiatives that will benefit the Youths.
The first thing is coming up with strategic initiatives, because the reason we have young people leaving the country, is more like they feel they don’t have options here in Nigeria. Youth policies have to be crafted in such a way that they address the different categories of young people.
In establishing a lasting framework for a business venture or development project, the concept of sustainability takes center stage, as its hallmarks are expressed through goals and measurable impacts in data and figures.
In taking action, Cynthia Mbamalu of Yiaga Africa says that certain questions are prominent: “What are the issues at hand? What data supports these issues? How can you contribute?” These questions form the basis of the value you bring to the table.
As digital access widens for youths, their potential to enhance skills and outreach expands. Attaining digital equity becomes pivotal for sustainable achievements. Reflecting on these possibilities, a 26-year-old HP representative, in her speech at the summit emphasizes self-driven capacity building, linking diligence and consistent engagement with knowledge to success.
The summit’s impact converges with innovation and sustainability to instill focused values. Participants like Florence Oyelade further noted the impact of the YALI initiatives. In her words, “the platform offers young people a chance to advocate for themselves and take ownership of their actions.”
On her part, the Coordinator of YALI Network Abuja, Moyo Dayo noted that the summit would be very impactful to young people, by helping them birth their ideas regardless of the situation on the ground.
Dayo said; “YALI Network is a platform created for young Africans to be active citizens. We are telling young people that regardless of what the situation is especially with the theme. “Beyond Limit”, that you have the ability and capacity to create change and to also create an innovative environment and sustainable solutions that you want and sustainable society that you want.
We hope that after this two-day summit, we can contact young Africans who are here today to go and see that they have the capacity beyond whatever limit they have to be able to do more. And we understand that there may be ideals the young people may have, this is also a platform for them to birth the ideas.
“Also we understand that the youth are not able to make changes without benefiting from the experience of the older generation, this is a call and also a platform to bridge the gap and collaborate to achieve the goal.”
The YALI Network Nigeria 2023 national summit steering committee Chairman – Mr. Daniel Black, explained the choice of this year’s theme Beyond Limits.”
He said; “Our theme for this summit, “Beyond Limits: Innovations for Sustainable Development,” encapsulates the essence of our shared mission – to push boundaries, challenge norms, and co-create a nation that thrives on innovation, resilience, and progress. Remember, this is not just a summit; it’s a catalyst for change.
It’s a platform to amplify your voices, connect with kindred spirits, and forge collaborations that will shape our nation’s destiny. Let us seize this opportunity with unwavering enthusiasm and a commitment to crafting a legacy of sustainable development that goes beyond limits.”
The US Embassy Public Diplomacy Officer, Katerina Ramos said; “The goal of this journey down memory lane is not just to pat ourselves on the back for what w achieve, but also to remind us of the power of working together.
Very little idea, meeting planning, project, and collaboration you are involved in as a network has the potential to develop into a revolutionary force for positive change in your community and the world at large”
Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), is a US government effort to invest in the next generation of young leaders.
YALI Network, established as a public diplomacy tool to help the United States expand beyond the reach of in-person exchange programs, provides members with invaluable opportunities to connect with other leaders in their community and to learn from experts in their field.
This year’s summit which had panel discussions, presentations, and exhibitions, brought together members from all states across Nigeria.
On her part, the Coordinator of YALI Network Abuja, Moyo Dayo noted that the summit would be very impactful to young people, by helping them birth their ideas regardless of the situation on the ground.
Dayo said; “YALI Network is a platform created for young Africans to be active citizens.
We are telling young people that regardless of what the situation is especially with the theme. “Beyond Limit”, that you have the ability and capacity to create change and to also create an innovative environment and sustainable solutions that you want and sustainable society that you want.
We hope that after this two-day summit, we can contact young Africans who are here today to go and see that they have the capacity beyond whatever limit they have to be able to do more. And we understand that there may be ideals the young people may have, this is also a platform for them to birth the ideas.
“Also we understand that the youth are not able to make changes without benefiting from the experience of the older generation, this is a call and also a platform to bridge the gap and collaborate to achieve the goal.”
The YALI Network Nigeria 2023 national summit steering committee Chairman – Mr. Daniel Black, explained the choice of this year’s theme Beyond Limits.”
He said; “Our theme for this summit, “Beyond Limits: Innovations for Sustainable Development,” encapsulates the essence of our shared mission – to push boundaries, challenge norms, and co-create a nation that thrives on innovation, resilience, and progress. Remember, this is not just a summit; it’s a catalyst for change. It’s a platform to amplify your voices, connect with kindred spirits, and forge collaborations that will shape our nation’s destiny. Let us seize this opportunity with unwavering enthusiasm and a commitment to crafting a legacy of sustainable development that goes beyond limits.”
The US Embassy Public Diplomacy Officer, Katerina Ramos said; “The goal of this journey down memory lane is not just to pat ourselves on the back for what w achieve, but also to remind us of the power of working together. Very little idea, meeting planning, project, and collaboration you are involved in as a network has the potential to develop into a revolutionary force for positive change in your community and the world at large”
Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), is a US government effort to invest in the next generation of young leaders.
YALI Network, established as a public diplomacy tool to help the United States expand beyond the reach of in-person exchange programs, provides members with invaluable opportunities to connect with other leaders in their community and to learn from experts in their field.
This year’s summit which had panel discussions, presentations, and exhibitions, brought together members from all states across Nigeria.
With the backing of the United Nations, through its accessibility initiatives, dedication to inclusion, and exchange programs, young Nigerians, through YALI Network are further empowered to actively engage in community building and democratic processes. This, in turn, dispels the long-standing notion of leadership, transforming it into a space where everyone can take meaningful action from where they are and with what they have.
