Most Nigerians working against Nigeria’s interest, says Presidency

The Presidency says many Nigerians have cultivated the habit of working against the progress of the country and called for a change of such attitude.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, made this know in Abuja on Monday during the first edition of ‘Nigeria Youth Talk’ organised by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

“A large number of Nigerians are happy when Nigeria is not working and glad when things are not going well, and I begin to ask myself, don’t they know it is their country and that of their children and children’s children?

“When Nigeria works, who does it works for? As a young people will have a stake in the future of this country. I have a stake in the success of Nigeria and we have a stake in the Nigeria’s that works and Nigeria that will work.

Speaking further at the event with a theme ‘The Nigeria We Want’, which was by supported by UKaid, Adesina advised the youth to love their country despite its present challenges.

“We must play a role by loving the unlovable and loving Nigeria beyond its faults. There are many faults in this country,” he said.

On his part, UNICEF’s Country Director, Peter Hawkins, said with the Nigeria’s youth population of more than 64 million, the country has great potential to turn things around for the better with proper education.

“Too many Nigerian children and young people are being left behind, especially when it comes to education. Nigeria has the world’s highest number of out-of-school children. More than 10.5 million Nigerian children are not in school,” he said.

Represented by UNICEF’s Chief of Basic Education, Dr Euphrates Efosie, the country representative said the ‘Naija Youth Talk’ was put in place to allow young people reflect on and celebrate the progress made by the youth to create the Nigeria of their choice.

“This event is part of UNlCEF’s global Youth Talks where young people come together to discuss and proffer solutions to crucial issues facing them and their peers,” he said.

The news reports that the ‘Naija (Nigeria) Youth Talk’ which attracted hundreds of youths and several resource persons, witnessed various presentations and brainstorming sessions on best way to convert challenges facing youths to viable economic and education opportunities.