Human rights lawyer Femi Falana on Monday urged youths to shun internet fraud, embrace innovation and the legitimate use of technology, and referred to as on governments to accentuate efforts to sort out illiteracy, unemployment and insecurity.
Mr Falana, who spoke on the third version of Afe Babalola Day at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), mentioned Nigeria’s growth challenges require pressing, sustained authorities intervention quite than an overconcentration on political campaigns.
The occasion, themed “A Celebration of Life, Legacy, Service and Impact,” was held in honour of Mr Babalola, who’s the ABUAD founder.
Mr Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged younger Nigerians to attract inspiration from Mr Babalola’s life, stressing that dedication, training and the productive use of obtainable alternatives may assist them overcome private and societal limitations.
He maintained that particular person efforts couldn’t substitute for the first accountability of presidency to offer training, infrastructure and an enabling surroundings for residents to thrive.
He expressed concern over the state of primary training in Nigeria, significantly the reported failure of some state governments to completely entry or utilise funds supplied by way of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Mr Falana mentioned the scenario was troubling over the persevering with prevalence of kid and grownup illiteracy, regardless of the adoption of the Child Rights Act throughout the states and its provisions on kids’s entry to primary training.
“I’m additionally profiting from this programme to warn younger folks, in addition to their dad and mom, towards internet fraud, which could be very prevalent right here.
“Young folks ought to reap the benefits of technology to develop new concepts and pursue productive ventures quite than have interaction in prison actions.
“I understand that there is an organisation called the ‘Iya Omo Ologo’ Association in Ekiti State. It is a shame that such an organisation exists. The members of that organisation must be identified and made to justify how they can come together to promote young people who have engaged in criminality,” he mentioned.
Mr Falana praised Mr Babalola for his accomplishments regardless of initially attaining solely Standard Six.
“I’m right here to honour Aare Afe Babalola and all different Nigerians who’ve distinguished themselves in a technique or one other. Aare Afe Babalola’s achievements are distinctive and uncommon.
“In phrases of formal training, the best stage he attained in standard education was Standard Six. However, by way of correspondence research, he acquired a Bachelor of Science (BSc) diploma and an LLB diploma earlier than changing into a lawyer. He was referred to as to each the English Bar and the Nigerian Bar and ultimately reached the top of his authorized profession as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
“He has additionally produced many Senior Advocates of Nigeria, together with two of his personal kids. His life and achievements subsequently function an inspiration and a mannequin for younger folks to emulate.
In his remarks, Mr Babalola urged the folks to alter their mindset of wanting authorities to do every part for them.
“And that brings me to the best way folks view authorities, significantly in the case of residing as much as their obligations. People speak about authorities as if that idea means greater than its atypical that means. For me, authorities is nothing however an combination of individuals, you and I.
“With that, we must always change our perspective of wanting to depart every part for the federal government to do for us. Today, it’s got to the ludicrous extent that many Nigerians wish to bear kids and donate them to authorities to coach for them.
“We cannot abdicate our responsibilities for government, not in the face of other compelling and competing duties of government,” he mentioned.
He additionally urged younger folks to embrace exhausting work, integrity, self-discipline and dedication to excellence as important elements for fulfillment and significant contributions to society.
Discover extra from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the most recent posts despatched to your electronic mail.
