Nigerian youths urge to embrace politics as Make Your Life Count Organisation Holds Fourth Annual Summit

By Godwin Utuedoye,

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The annual summit with the theme; “The Nigeria Project and the Youth- The Way Forward”, was held at the Oleh Civic Centre on Sunday, September 23, 2018. The summit draws a large number of youths participating and notable personalities including, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Stephen Ogheneovo, Chief Sir Patrick Origho, notable clergies and a large turn out of youths from across the state as well as notable intellectuals and speakers including, Professor Steve Okecha, a professor of Chemistry from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,  a Medical doctor cum motivational speaker, Dr. Charles Apoki among others.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the convener and founder of Make Your Life Count Organisation, Pharm. Dr. Cyril Olomukoro noted that, the major purpose of the annual summit of the organisation is to create awareness among the youths as anyone who is inform will make a better choice. He said, the people doing beautifully well in the society are doing well because they knew what others do not know.

He added that the theme of this year summit was carefully selected as it tallies with the current challenges facing the nation such as security problems as a result of Fulani Herdsmen, Boko Haram  Kidnapping  which he said, has been of increase in Delta State recently, stating that a Catholic priest was recently kidnapped in Warri but manage to escape but four days he died.

Dr. Olomukoro, while stressing on the menace of killing and insecurity in the country, state that the sudden death of the Catholic clergy may have  been as a result of his ordeal in the hand of his abductors.

Recalling the economic problems bedeviling the nation, the Pharmacists and a public speaker said, it is time the youth are given proper orientation. He maintaining that another area that seriously needed to tackle is the issue of morals as the youths have misplaced their values while corruption is still very much endemic.

“Embarking on dangerous journies, crossing the Mediterranean sea, criticizing, condemning and complaining will get you no where, take your destiny into your hamds”, he said.

Speaking on the topic, “The Nigeria Project; Youths Where You”, Prof. Steve Okecha noted that, those with better ideas are not in power but those without ideas are in power. He then urged the youths to wake up and say yes to politics and struggle for political space in Nigeria.

Reacting to the high cost of expression of interest and nomination form by major political parties, Prof. Okecha advised; “Ensure that the not –too-young-to-run law is honestly enforced. The situation where the expression of interest and nomination fees charged by the major political parties are sky – high, the youths are neatly being excluded from active participation in politics”. The fees are even beyond the reach of the ‘Yahoo boys’. Those political parties are simply saying to the youths: “You are too poor to run.”

The University don advised the youths not to be myopic or complacent in accepting whatever is given by the politicians to just go through without asking questions. He urged them to learn how to question events of phenomenon and avoid been polluted by superstitious believe that things are like that because God wants them so.

Reiterating the strength of the youths in the nation, Prof. Okecha stressed, that the youths are the major stakeholders in the nation as they occupy 61% of the nation population.

“My dear young men and women, rise up. Rise up, now. All of you. The future of Nigeria is squarely in your hands”.

He further charged participants to get their inspiration from the Ethiopian proverb which says;  “When spider webs unite, they can tie down a lion.” The University lecturer was so optimistic that Nigeria can be born again under the care of Nigerian youths, he said; “You have the vitality, you have the intellectual capacity, you have the dynamism, you have the population, you have the vision and above all, you have many, many years to live ahead of you”.

“Stop celebrating the oppressors and fight for your ‘Not too Young to run bill”, he charges.

On his part, Dr. Charles Apoki whose lecture electrified the hall with his thought provoking motivational presentation on the topic, “Becoming Outstanding”, challenged the youths to be up and doing, especially in planning early in life. “If your mates are sleeping, stay awake and when your mates are standing, stand out among them”, he enjoined the youths.

With thunderous applaus and standing ovation, Dr. Apoki opened the eyes of participants to different areas of life where they can make progress and take up challenges.

He called on the youths to imitate Mark Luckerberg, the founder of Face Book and other young professionals around the world so that they can dream when they are young, adding that every dream must go with discipline.

The summit which holds every September 23 yearly, is also used to mark the birthday of the founder, Pharm. Dr. Cyril Olomukoro.

In an interview, Pharm. Dr. Cyril Olomukoro appreciated the large turn up of youths/participants at the event, noting that the major problem affecting the youths in the society is that most time, the youths are not given proper attention. He stated that if listen to, given the neccessary attention, one will be amazed with the enormous potentials inherent in them. He thanked God for providing him the resources to put up the programme in the past years.

Asked if he had any form of support or sponsorship from the government, his response was negative but commended his family members and friends who have always stood by him.

Highpoint of the summit was the cutting of the birthday cake of the founder, Pharm. Dr. Cyril Olomukoro joined by the youths, dignitaries as well as guest speakers.

The Make Your Life Count Organisation Summit is an annual gathering of youths and young adults, a forum where they are inspired, educated and encouraged to live their lives to the full and become all they can to make their lives better. The NGO also hold skill Up programs, Young Couples Timeout, Leadership Revamp Seminar, Just For Ladies and All About Guys.