Human rights lawyer Femi Falana on Monday urged youths to shun internet fraud, embrace innovation and the legitimate use of technology, and known as on governments to accentuate efforts to deal with illiteracy, unemployment and insecurity.
Mr Falana, who spoke on the third version of Afe Babalola Day at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), stated Nigeria’s growth challenges require pressing, sustained authorities intervention fairly 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, schooling and the productive use of accessible alternatives might assist them overcome private and societal limitations.
He maintained that particular person efforts couldn’t substitute for the first duty of presidency to supply schooling, infrastructure and an enabling surroundings for residents to thrive.
He expressed concern over the state of fundamental schooling in Nigeria, significantly the reported failure of some state governments to completely entry or utilise funds offered by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Mr Falana stated 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 youngsters’s entry to fundamental schooling.
“I’m additionally profiting from this programme to warn younger individuals, in addition to their mother and father, in opposition to internet fraud, which could be very prevalent right here.
“Young individuals ought to make the most of technology to develop new concepts and pursue productive ventures fairly than have interaction in felony 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 stated.
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 schooling, the very best degree he attained in standard education was Standard Six. However, by correspondence research, he acquired a Bachelor of Science (BSc) diploma and an LLB diploma earlier than changing into a lawyer. He was known as to each the English Bar and the Nigerian Bar and ultimately reached the head 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 youngsters. His life and achievements subsequently function an inspiration and a mannequin for younger individuals to emulate.
In his remarks, Mr Babalola urged the individuals to vary their mindset of wanting authorities to do all the pieces for them.
“And that brings me to the way in which individuals view authorities, significantly in terms of dwelling as much as their obligations. People discuss authorities as if that idea means greater than its bizarre which means. For me, authorities is nothing however an mixture of individuals, you and I.
“With that, we must always change our angle of wanting to go away all the pieces for the federal government to do for us. Today, it’s got to the ludicrous extent that many Nigerians wish to bear youngsters 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 stated.
He additionally urged younger individuals to embrace arduous work, integrity, self-discipline and dedication to excellence as important components for fulfillment and significant contributions to society.
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