Recently, Online and Offline Media went agog with some of the thought provoking remarks from Nigeria’s Legendary Grammarian, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon and the controversial declaration made by Forbes rated Africa’s richest Woman and MD/CEO of Famfa Oil, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija about not having a University degree and being stupendously wealthy (a point she actually made in her speech to inspire the participants challenging them to do aspire and achieve greater heights since they have the privilege of Tertiary Education that she did not enjoy} at UN International Youth Day 2014 Commemoration Event organized by RISE NETWORKS at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos.
Notable Leaders within Government, Private Sector and Civil Society who came to share their thoughts and engage with the Students, young professionals and community leaders who participated include Senator Liyel Imoke, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, MD/CEO Famfa Oil and Rose of Sharon Group, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Chairman, JayKay Pharmacy Limited, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, Festus Keyamo, Frontline Human Rights Activist & Lawyer, Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin, the popular activist and Executive Director, Campaign for Democracy who just received the WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARD from the United States Government and Ms. Kate Henshaw, Leading Nollywood Actress and Legislator in waiting {let’s hope she gets her party ticket and subsequently wins the election}.
As you may well know, RISE NETWORKS is an institution passionately dedicated to assisting Youth to express and achieve their highest feats in idea building, education advancement and wholesome human development. In line with the UN Theme “Youth and Mental Health”, this 2014 United Nations International Youth Day Event in Nigeria was organized by RISE NETWORKS to critically analyze the challenges faced by Nigeria’s Youth and speak to the current realities that affect their mental state of well-being.
With over 3,000 participants who sat in for about 6hours having riveting conversations with the speakers and amongst themselves, the outcomes and deliberations at the Event, the mind boggling questions posed to the Speakers by the young people, this is arguably the most talked about & the probably most significant Commemoration of the United Nations International Youth Day event in Nigeria in all quarters. {use google *winks*}. This should further reinforce the orientation of Nigerian Brands and Businesses that the Youth want more than just Entertainment oriented programs. Knowledge makes any individual totally whole and more investment has to go in the direction of education driven youth development programs.
The 3 part spectacular Celebration which was officially sponsored by Etisalat, Close Up Herbal and Aquafina by Pepsi featured an Art and Photo Exhibition, a Satirical Stage Play by Segun Adefila’s Crowne Troupe of Africa and an Inter – generational Dialogue on Entrepreneurship, Education, Security and Quality of Governance.