By Olasunkanmi Akoni

A Non-Governmental Organization, Africa for Africa Initiative, has urged youths in the country to desist from mass migration abroad,otherwise known as Japa syndrome, for greener pastures, stressing that there are abundant opportunities awaiting to be tapped in Nigeria for self and national development.

The NGO, whose founder is the popular preacher, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, is at the forefront of mentoring youth in the country to re-position them to a prosperous continent.

A number of speakers delivered lectures at an event, themed; “Constitutional Conference,’ held on Friday, at Ikeja, Lagos, to enlighten youths on opportunities that are available to be exploited in order to unleash their potentials.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Africa for Africa Initiative, Henry Akasili, explained that the essence of the conference, “is to help us build the future of Africa. Africa is rich in talents despite the challenges.

“Politics is however, pulling us back and limiting our potentials. We need solutions, and with this discourse, there must be transformation of our youths.

“The youths are not only the future but the present, their creativities and energies are what Africa need to grow. We change the socio-political landscape of our people,” Akasile stated.

He urged the participants, who were mainly young men and ladies, to keep an open mind with determination to excel.

Akasile, however, called for collaboration from the people, saying that to “achieve true progress, we all need all stakeholders to come on board.”

A lecturer who is from oil and gas industry, Dr. Benjamin Ubido noted that, “We have so many opportunities in Africa and in Nigeria what hinders us is based on the knowledge and available information we have.”

He explained that, if the population of Nigeria is considered vis-a-vis the available crude oil, the country is having just a drop in comparison with other oil producing states.

The businessman, while lamenting the untapped potential in Agric sector, encouraged the youth to leverage their potentials in agriculture, saying “food is very vital in any nation around the world. It’s always in high demand.”

He lamented that everyone has portrayed farmers as poor but maintained that “there are immense opportunities awaiting the youth in agric sector to be able to make it in life.”

Akasile stressed that minimum amount spent on food monthly in Nigeria is N6 trillion, adding that youth should go into agriculture to boost the nation’s economy.

“I realize that the challenges we have in our young people is lack of information, pride and laziness and everyone looking for white collar jobs, as well as work from home,” he noted.

Citing example of cassava, Ubido maintained that the crop is being exported due to high demand for it, saying farmers are being pictured wrongly.

Deacon Armstrong Oyakhilome, who was a former staff of World Bank and consultant for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, spoke on the career progression in civil service as one of the available opportunities for youth to develop themselves.

“For you to be in the civil service, it takes care of all disciplines. Without civil servants, no government can function because civil service is the engine room, the brainbox of every government,” he noted.

A former member of the Federal House of Representatives for Esan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Edo State, Sergius Ogun, encouraged the youth to pick interest in politics, saying they have opportunities to make it.

He however, stated that the youth would have to create a niche at their local communities to position themselves for the leadership role.

“There is a niche market that you can create which must be identified. You have to begin to sow seeds today,” Ubido said.