- Siasia went on to say that the majority of those projecting Nigeria’s global image and advancing the country’s Gross National Product (GDP) are young people
Mr Moses Siasia, the outgoing President of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), has expressed concern that Nigeria’s political class will face the consequences of the high rate of young people migrating out of the country in search of greener pastures abroad in the not-too-distant future.
Siasia, who stated this on Friday in Abuja while officially handing over the leadership of the NYPF to new President David Osadolor, lamented that the majority of young people leaving the country do so illegally. “Up to 75% of those who find themselves stuck up in the Mediterranean sea are Nigerians,” he went on to say.
He stated that the criminal venture of ‘yahoo Yahoo’ (cybercrime) is almost unavoidable because there are “no proper sustainable economic plans for the future.”
Siasia went on to say that the majority of those projecting Nigeria’s global image and advancing the country’s Gross National Product (GDP) are young people.
He noted that in its ten years of existence, the NYPF has expanded to 15 countries, bringing together over two million young people. He went on to say that the platform has helped at least 2,963 young people find work both at home and abroad, and that 886 have received grants to start profitable businesses.
While noting that the NYPF encourages young people who are doing well abroad to return home and invest, Siasia added that one of the NYPF’s flagship programmes, the annual Niger Delta MSME Summit, is strategically designed to create opportunities for young people to participate.
He appreciated former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Dr. Ifie Sekibo, former Managing Director of Heritage Bank, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and many others for their support to the NYPF.
In his breif remarks, the brand new NYPF President noted that Nigeria as a developing nation cannot grow without vibrant SMEs, a sector which he described as critical to the survival of the nation.
He said he is coming on board to expand on NYPF’s sustainability goals, and building on the “three i’s Innovation, Industry and Infrastructure”.
Speaking on the capacity of young Nigerians, Osadolor referenced Victor Osimhen and Assisat Oshoala’s feat at the recently held CAF Awards in which Nigeria made giant strides.
“It is a rare privilege to sit here and receive this handover from the outgoing President, Moses Siasia. I’ve followed the forum closely for the past 10 years and Siasia has been an inspiration to me.My life has always been about service and I see this as an opportunity to serve,” he said.
Other members of the newly constituted leadership of the NYPF are: Zahila Lawal (Vice President North); Victor Sameria (Vice President South); Gerald So-George (Advisor); Mayor Ndukaku (Legal Aid).