From Our Reporter Bode Durojaiye, In Oyo

A Member of the House of Representatives representing Oyo Federal Constituency ( Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East and Oyo West Local Governments) in Oyo State, Honourable Prince Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi Skimeh, has warned that hunger and poverty will remain at unacceptable levels unless purposeful action is taken to give higher policy priority to human capital development, with adequate resources mobilized towards agriculture and rural development.

Speaking at a Media parley in Oyo town, Hon. Adeyemi who noted that most of the youths in the country are incredibly intelligent, but their intelligence manifests through negative channels, said if this desire for success can be channeled rightly, the Nigerian society can give birth to some great intellectuals and entrepreneurs of international repute.

‘’Youths are one of the greatest assets that any nation can have. Not only are they legitimately regarded as the future leaders, they are, potentially and actually the greatest investment for a country’s development. They serve as a good measure of the extent to which a country can reproduce as well as sustain itself.

” The extent of their vitality, responsible conduct and roles in society is positively correlated with the development of their country’’.

Commending former President Muhammadu Buhari for his prompt assent to Not Too Young To Rule Bill, the Federal Lawmaker posited that young people must be trained and as quickly as possible, to provide leadership in agriculture, industry, government and economic development projects.

According to him, ” they must be developed intellectually, morally, socially and with relevant skills to face a rapidly advancing technological world. The youths need an active involvement in participating with the current political and economic leaders to foster inter-generational dialogue hereby enhancing adequate transitional shift.

” They should equally be actively involved in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) agenda. This is because they constitute the major resource base for any country that want to embark on any meaningful development project’’.

Entrepreneurship in Nigeria, the Hon. Prince Adeyemi Skimeh asserted that , “is a major avenue to increasing the rate of economic growth, create job opportunities, reduce import of manufactured goods and decrease the trade deficits that result from such imports, adding that the influx and encouragement of youths into ventures will definitely help salvage our wasting economy.

He said his vision was to re-define the ethics of politics and governance that is equal for everyone, thereby establishing a sustainable world for future generations.

‘’This is in recognition of the fact that raising leaders is critical to nation building and wealth creation. I am inspired to equip women and youths, business owners and social entrepreneurs to lead ethically while implementing initiatives that transform their communities and organizations for better, as well as sustaining livelihood and contributing to national development’’.

Attributing the effects of value erosion in the country to wanton poverty and lack of visionary leadership, conflict of interest and democratic responsibility; Hon. Prince Adeyemi Skimeh asserted that ethical behavour is the bedrock of mutual trust.

While advocating proactive and independent lifestyles for the youths, the Federal Lawmaker pointed out the need for the younger generation to hunger for relevant facts and skills, thereby seeking solutions to the challenges facing the country through enhanced mental capacity.

‘’This is the foundation to any true renaissance. Where after one person in the family is well placed, other people in the family now wait for his largesse to survive. The same attitude is what paralyses our graduates from breaking out to pioneer great things.

” It stops the youth from acting proactively hence he leaves his destiny to chance forgetting that he is the master of his fate and can be a source of inspiration and livelihood to the generations coming after him or her. Our economy will be positively affected when the youths begin to act with the future in mind and having a visionary packaging’’, Hon. Prince Adeyemi Skimeh submitted.