THE Nigerian Association for Young Adults of Canada (NAYA-CANADA) is optimistic that a new Nigeria is possible only if her youths can take back their future through sound education and ability to think outside the box.

The association believes that despite seeming failure across all facets, the youth is that very constituency that will get Nigeria out of the woods if they could identify the need for change and ability to effect it.

NAYA President Mr Shola Agboola addressed youths during the yearly orientation of the Esa Oke Students Association.

Agboola spoke on the topic ‘Leadership and motivation: Ways to become a guaranteed student’ at Esa Oke Town Hall in Osun State.

Agboola, who was represented at the event by MD/CEO Relevance Global Construction,Bamidele Osuolale, supports youths graduating with outstanding results; nevertheless such academic feat must be matched with transforming the knowledge into lifelong values.

“So, while you are in school, focus on your studies to obtain those good grades. However, make sure you do not forget to take advantage of every opportunity of learning that is available outside the classroom. This is your time to lay the foundation of the roles you will be playing in the society later in life.

“Participate in extra-curricular activities on campus, be involved in the students-oriented bodies, and get involved in the school press corps. Be active at departmental organisations and many other activities that could afford you the opportunity to develop great leadership skills while in school.”

Agboola traced many societal ills to poverty, poor healthcare, insecurity, increased crime rate, declining standard of education, and leadership failure. However,believed that desperation, especially by youths to seek greener pasture beyond the shore of Nigeria, might not be the solution to the aforementioned.

Though many Nigerians ‘flogged’ by poverty would not subscribe to such his submission; yet the youths, if willing, could still repossess that future they desire, if by concert, they can challenge the staus quo, Agboola said.

He continued: ”My conviction is that if we all rise up as students and as youths, we can change the narratives of this nation. Better opportunities are possible here in Nigeria and that is why those of us in Diaspora are making every effort to do our part in making Nigeria better so we can come back home.

“Nigeria is going to be great again because it is not the passion of the people in making a difference that is absent, especially among youths; it is the opportunity to transform that passion that is unavailable. While our leaders must learn how to provide opportunities for the youth to become better leaders tomorrow, you must also challenge yourself to engage in learning activities that will prepare you for that leadership role tomorrow.”

He said NAYA, which has made over $46 million investment in Nigeria cutting across health, education, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and empowerment of female gender development, is doing so not because members of the organisation are rich; but because they need to replicate at the home front that life of comfort the government of Canada offers them.

“But yet, when we visit (Nigeria), we see the condition upon which our people live. We see the frustrations in people’s eyes. We see the desperation, pains and agony in our young graduates without jobs. We see the elderly people, the nursing mothers, women and children who are sick but without adequate medical attention. We know we had to do something, this is our motivation. What is your motivation?”

“I feel very deeply about this country. I am concerned about a positive change in Nigeria and I believe that we all have a role to play. That alone should motivate you to aspire to leadership roles. That alone should make you to be very serious with your studies and encourage you to be involved in all positive endeavours that would prepare you for a better future.

“I say this because in our lifetime, we want to see a functional society where the roads are good, power is stable, water is constant, education standard is excellent, poverty is low and young people are optimistic about their future. We have seen and lived this life in Canada and I wish the same for my country – Nigeria. Our leaders have enormous responsibility before them and we should join hands to make Nigeria great,” Agboola concluded.