International Youth Day: Deputy speaker urges youths to be innovative, industrious

Deputy Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Joseph Bassey, has urged youths in the country to be innovative and industrious in actualising their set goals.

He made the call in a statement made available in Calabar on Friday on the the occasion of the 2022 International Youth Day celebration.

Our correspondent reports that International Youth Day is annually celebrated on Aug. 12 around the globe to bring youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrate the potential of youths as partners in today’s global society.

The theme for the 2022 celebration is “Intergenerational Solidarity; Creating a World for All Ages” to amplify the message that action is needed across all generations to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The speaker, who said that the International Youth Day is a day set aside to celebrate youths, added that it would also reaffirm global commitment toward finding solutions to their challenges.

According to him, the youth population in the country is massive, hence the need for them to explore ways and be innovative.

He noted that there was need for leaders to collaborate and foster successful and intergenerational relations and partnerships with youths to ensure no one is left behind.

He added that “today, I wish to felicitate heartily with the young people around the world, particularly youths of my immediate federal constituency on the 2022 occasion of the International Youth Day.

“The theme is to achieve the sustainable Developmental Goals and leverage on full potential of all generations.

“Solidarity across generations is the key for sustainable development.

“Youth involvement has moved forward tremendously and it’s no longer seen as a rebellious act, the way it was few decades
ago.”

The deputy speaker said that the younger generation had realised that they are ready to positively explore their full potential on the political, economic and environmental challenges.

He added that “as a fellow youth, one of my priorities is the inclusion of youths in governance, where their potential would be seen in political, economic and entrepreneurial activities.

“As we mark this special day, I look forward to partnering with youth groups and associations on how we can advance
the youth agenda together to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

“The youths are `change makers’ and their contributions are essential toward the growth and development of this country.”