Dr Oluwatoyin Alabi Urges Youth Not To Lose Hope In Nigeria
By Felix Ajide
Dr. Oluwatoyin Alabi, a respected community leader and APC Chieftain, has urged Nigerian youths to remain hopeful and committed to the country’s development, insisting that Nigeria’s future remains bright despite current socio-economic challenges.
Speaking during a live programme on Midland 99.1 FM, on Friday in Ilorin, Dr Alabi an advocate of good governance, urged young people to believe in themselves and the country.
Addressing the issue of youth migration, popularly known as “japa,” the visionary leader described Nigeria as a nation still evolving after 24 years of unbroken democracy.
“There is no better country than Nigeria. Many foreigners are eager to come here because there is something great and attractive about this nation.
“Greatness is not abroad; it is in you,” he said, adding that many Nigerians who migrated abroad are now returning to invest at home, while few are not finding things easy abroad.
He highlighted opportunities in technology, ICT, real estate, and banking, noting that many applications currently used in Nigerian banks were developed by young Nigerians.
According to him, Nigeria’s growing contribution to global GDP is being driven largely by its youthful population and innovation, rather than oil alone.
While acknowledging that better infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity, healthcare and internet access attracts youths abroad, he stressed that such developments were built by citizens who believed in their countries, urging Nigerians to stay in their country and do same.
He also explained that the construction of an Innovation Hub in Ilorin by the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq — a centre designed to help youths develop and showcase technological solutions capable of adding value to the state’s economy.
Explaining his motivation to participate in politics, he said it was inspired by a desire to give hope to youths and bridge the growing disconnect between young people, their future and the nation.
With youths accounting for about 65 per cent of Kwara State’s population, he described them as a vast and untapped workforce whose energy and talents must be strategically channelled into key sectors to change the state’s development narrative.
He urged young people not to lose hope in Nigeria, calling on them to actively participate in the political process by voting and supporting leaders with clear vision for the state and nation at large.
“The moment you refuse to vote, you have given up your right to a good life,” he said, urging citizens to mobilise others to make the right choices during elections for the future of the state and the nation.
The Philanthropist and respected community leader in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, called on parents to ensure that every child of school age is enrolled in school, stressing that education remains the strongest foundation for personal and community development.
