Nigeria may be going through difficult times but all hope is not lost, as the country boasts a galaxy of youths who have immense talents and a can-do spirit that can change the fortunes of the nation for the better.

The above is the position of one-time Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Prof. Anya O. Anya, and Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Britain, Dr. Christopher Kolade, as espoused Tuesday morning at TheNiche Newspaper Second Annual Lecture in Lagos.

The challenge, according to the two eminent statesmen, is to identify and encourage such young men and women to deploy their talents for the benefit of the nation.

Prof. Anya, the Guest Lecturer, who spoke on the theme, ‘Business and Accountable Governance: The Obligation of Leadership’, stressed that “the politics and economics of the new era needs a new culture that sprouts from a new mindset of the leaders.”

While bemoaning the stark reality of the present, he raised hope, saying: “What gives me confidence that we can face the new challenge to rebuild a new Nigeria are two facts of our present reality – as difficult as the circumstances are, our youths are doing fantastic things: unremarked and uncelebrated. Beyond the hordes of the unemployed and the uneducated are also battalions of brilliant men and women who do the unexpected that often challenge their peers in other nations. To challenge and incentivize them should be the current priority. They are there if we look carefully.”

Concurring with Prof. Anya, Chairman of the event, Dr. Kolade, said: “Let us look for these young people whether they are doing it here or abroad. There is a lot of active talent in our young people. Let us look for them wherever they are and encourage them in what they are doing. Almighty God has already started rebuilding our nation. It is left for us to catch up with him.”

Held at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, the event attracted several distinguished personalities. Among them are former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke (retd.); former Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Dr. George Obiozor; eminent development economist, Prof. Pat Utomi and the Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi), the Royal Father of the Day.

Among others include Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; his Imo State counterpart, Emeka Felix Ebiliekwe; eminent journalist and technocrat Tunji Bello, who represented the Special Guest, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and Ford Foundation Regional Representative for West Africa, Innocent Chukwuma.

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