YouthFactor 1.0, a one -day special summit in commemoration of the UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY ORGANIZED BY YOUTH FACTOR NIGERIA IN COLLABORATION WITH LEAD CITY VOICES (LEAD CITY UNIVERSITY), IBADAN

On Tuesday, August 12, 2014, Youth Factor Nigeria, with its team members headed by Mr. Gbenga Omisore (Founder/Executive Director), in collaboration with Lead City University organized a one day special summit, in commemoration of the United Nations International Youth Day, at the International Conference Centre, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The International Youth Day in Nigeria had as its theme: The Role of Youths in Advancing Development Goals and the Post 2015 Development Agenda. The event started at 10 a.m, had in attendance policy makers, academicians, business moguls, young professionals, the Student Representative Council of the University Of Ibadan (led by its speaker, Mr Yemi Sarumi) , the Lead City Voices ( also led by Mr Bill Essien), and delegates representing different institutions. The Welcome Address was given by a seasoned academics and cleric; Professor Femi Onabajo, the Vice Chancellor, Lead City University.

Mr. Gbenga Omisore - Founder/Executive Director, Youth Factor Nigeria took the audience through the summit preview and the need for the young people to wake up to the challenges facing the emerging generation and speak up to create the future that we want. The world is giving birth to value oriented intellectuals. Those who have decided to make the world a better place using their intellectual prowess. Young people can no longer afford to fold their arms, they need to be at the front line and advocate for a better future, he said. Mr. David Kole Ojo, the Director, Center for Practical Legal Training, invoked a new surge of energy into the event by using his own story to highlight the dichotomy between youth and old age.

The Special Guest Speaker, Dr. Mrs. Alero Akerele, a Senior Lecturer of the Department of Law, University of Ibadan, emphasized the need for the social inclusion of youths with regards to mental health issues and wellbeing in socio-economic policies and plans. Other guest Speakers were Ronke Giwa, Dr Tunde Oseni, Barrister Timi Olagunju, Adebayo Alonge, Seyi Gesinde, Isaac Oluyi, Femi Abiodun, and Ronke Ige.

Ronke Giwa, a motivational speaker & presenter on Splash f.m., who spoke at the event, made a clarion call on the need to prioritize the welfare of young people in the Post 2015 Development Agenda.

Dr Tunde Oseni, a lecturer of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, and Founder, Youth Focus Initiative, Lagos, approached the subject scientifically. He clearly emphasized the three ‘Es’ strategic for youth development in Nigeria and Africa; these are Education, Engagement and Empowerment. He further stated that Education without Engagement would not and cannot qualify as Empowerment, and vice versa.

Barrister Timi Olagunju, a Development Lawyer, Communication Scientist, and Youth Advocate elucidated on the need for Nigerian youths to be ‘problem solvers’ in all areas of corporate, political, and institutional governance. He stated that rather than ask ‘what is in it for me?’ we as young people should ask ‘what is in it for us?’ as Nigerian, and Africans.

Mr. Adebayo Alonge, Mandela Washington Fellow in Business (who studied at the Yale University) and a millionaire entrepreneur, asked the question: "Will Nigerian Youths Stand Up For Women?" He clearly echoed the need to promote gender equality and empowerment at all levels; local, state, and national. He pledged half a million naira to this cause, and pleaded for each person to take up the education of one girl child at a time.

The online editor, Nigerian Tribune, Mr. Seyi Gesinde, spoke on the critical role of the media in advancing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) beyond 2015 by young people; especially emphasizing the place of youths in the new media.

Mr. Isaac Oluyi, a change agent, administrator and social entrepreneur, addressed the issue of unemployment. He emphasized the need to tackle unemployment in Nigeria through entrepreneurship and education.

Mr. Femi Abiodun, the Principal Consultant, Alphasage Consulting, spoke on the need for transformational leadership in advancing the MDGs Beyond 2015.
And Ms. Ronke Ige, Programes Director, Justice, Development & Peace Commission, made a call to the young people of Nigeria to embrace the paths not trodden. She underscored the need for young people to invest in self–development, as a man can only give what he has.

The event well moderated by Mr. Seyi Bamigboye, The President of the Law Student Society, University Of Ibadan and Mr. Abayomi Adedara, President Esthlos Explorer, ended with a fine mix of fun and laughter, as the participants and speakers, made the best use of the event to learn, unlearn, and re-learn together.