2021 International Youth Day: “Africans, Lets Take Advantage of our Vast Green Vegetation” – OJN
By: Joshua Adinoyi
As the World celebrates this year’s International Youth Day,
the Commissioner for Youth Political Participation Pan-African Youth Union (PYU), the apex youth body in Africa, Ambassador Oladele John Nihi (OJN), has called on Africans to put into proper use, the vast green vegetation the continent is blessed with.
The Commissioner, in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Kelvin Oluseyi Eleta, described this year’s theme as timely, saying it will go a long way at addressing the issues of food insecurity and help revitalize green vegetation.
Amb. Nihi pointed out that Africa, especially Nigeria needs to take advantage of its increasing population to put an end to issues of food insecurity, urging youths to embrace farming which he said will go a long way at addressing several issues ranging from economy, unemployment, amongst others.
“The theme of International Youth Day 2021, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”, is a timely discuss as a continent, and objectives surrounding this initiative will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people
“As the world’s population is expected to increase by two billion in the next 30 years and would put the world’s population at 9.9 billion against the current 7.9 billion figure, then it has become a matter of priority for often discuss and implementations of food security initiatives across the globe and particularly Africa; as we are of advantage, having a fertile soil for agricultural purposes
“The current population of Africa is 1.3billion, based on the latest United Nations estimates; which amounts for 16.72% of the total world population, and Nigeria having the largest at over 211Million, places the continent at risk if matters of food security is not timely addressed.
The PYU Commissioner urged the world’s continent with the highest number of youths to return back to the green vegetations as it guarantees the future of our motherland.
“We have the land, and we have the manpower in Africa, technology is also there to aid efficiency and speedy productivity
“So, I see no reason why Africa should not return to the green vegetations and put them to proper use”
He also acknowledges that there was need for inclusive support mechanisms to ensure youth collectively and individually contribute to restore the planet and protect life, while integrating biodiversity in the transformation of food systems.
He admonished governments at all levels to empower youths in their various capacities both at the rural and urban areas as part of efforts at ensuring food security.
While wishing Youths across the continent of Africa and the Globe, happy International Youth Day 2021, OJN also called on them to contribute their quota to ensuring food security.
