Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the vice-president of Nigeria today said that the problem of Nigeria is the lack of integrity and honesty.
Osinbajo stated this while addressing the youths that gathered at the opening day of two days Regional Youths Summit organized by the Ministry of Regional Integration, Osun state in collaboration with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).
The programme which was aimed at setting a 25-year agenda for the development of the Yoruba land, was attended by Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, his Oyo state counterpart, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, Ondo State Governor of Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu represented by his Deputy Agboola Ajayi while Ogun State Government delegation was led by Commissioner of Youths, Mr. Afolabi Afuape.
Prof. Osinbajo emphasized on the need for youths to be “industrious and aboveboard in whatever they engage themselves in.”
He said, “there is a need for the youths to be industrious and aboveboard in all they do.The major problem Nigeria is having is lack of integrity, hardwork and honesty. The difference between success and failure is the ability to work today and hope that tomorrow will be better.You don’t have to steal, involve in illicit act or defame yourself before you’re successful. Integrity and hard work are the keys.”
The vice-president also commended the Osun State Government for deeming it fit to take the lead in a setting pace for the development of Yoruba nation.
Earlier in his address, the host governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola enjoined the youths to shun all vices and be hardworking as that is the only way to success. He referred to Yoruba people as being the most backward people in the world due to lack of productivity from the agile and vibrant young individuals.
He said “Yoruba race is becoming the most backward in the world. Our youths are not productive again, they only want to be rich and famous overnight which is not possible.”
“The efficiency in production is getting lower on daily basis. The competitive spirit has eroded our youths. During our days, Nigeria was the leading producer of cassava and other agricultural products. But now, all what our youths do is yahoo yahoo.
“Youths need re-orientation and start investing the time, energy and other resources into what we benefit the society and nation at large,” he added.
The Governor concluded his speech by charging the youths to be up and doing and take the responsibility of propelling Western Nigeria to enviable heights where it will serve as model for other regions in the world by 2040.
Also in his speech, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi described the programme as timely and promised that Oyo state government will partner with the DAWN to host the next edition of the summit.
Ajimobi equally urged the young individuals present at the programme to always be good ambassadors of the nation and never allow themselves to be dragged into social vices by any circumstances.
The Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu l charged the government at all levels to always carried the youths along in their policy making.
The Monarch described the wisdom of the old people as ‘rag’ and that if the young individuals as ‘new cloth’.
He said “All of us here today must know that only youths know the latest. The wisdom of the old ones is rag while that of the young ones is new cloth. Whoever wants to remain new must be ready to tap from the wisdom of these young individuals.”
The programme continues tomorrow as youths are expected to present papers and hold panel sessions.
