Experts from diverse industries have urged Nigeria and other African countries to leverage youth power, culture, and creative economy for growth.
This call was made by business leaders, influential African creatives, policymakers, digital champions, and leading entrepreneurs from diverse industries, who gathered in Lagos, at the weekend.
According to them, it is high time for the region to look inward for its development, by leveraging youths and others.
During the event titled: “Securing The Future: Youth Power, Culture and Creative Economy,” organised by Africa Soft Power, in collaboration with Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and African Women on Board, the experts related the complicated relationship between digital platforms, technology adoption, youth empowerment, and creative entrepreneurship.
Nkiru Belonwu, the Founder and Creative Director of Africa Soft Power who led the charge, said as a country and a continent, it is compulsory to include young people and women in every leadership space.
According to her, #EndSARS to #Congoisbleeding and other several social movements that the continent witnessed in recent years, “we have seen what happened when we do not provide the needed inclusion and security for women and young people.”
She added that “We will continue to have these conversations, shining the light on the immense opportunities that Africa’s soft power, deeply rooted in its vibrant culture and youthful population, offers for growth. While the advent of digital media and advancements in technology are providing African youths with platforms to express their talents, shape their narratives, and build successful careers across various industries, we remain committed to advancing conversations that will help the continent leverage this growth potential.”
It was noted during the event that, even as the creative and knowledge industries offer immense opportunities for young Africans, there are still threats out there – and high on that list is insecurity.
The panel session for the event, moderated by the Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Nonconform Productions, Folashade Anozie, had panellists and experts, Founder and CEO, of Glenn Media Consult & former Editor, of Guardian Life Magazine, Njideka Agbo; Commissioner for Finance & Economic Development, Ekiti State, Akintunde Oyebode; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State, Dr Seun Fakorede and Director, Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa at Meta, Adaora Ikenze.
“You can’t solve the problem of security whefairnessess and justice are absent A big driver of crime is the absence of consequences. This is why you will find that in a society where there is an absence of consequence, people often gravitate towards crime.
“The challenge of security in Nigeria is a hydra-headed problem. In some parts of the country, there are kidnappings and drug problems, but at the heart of it all, is a clear admission that state capacity has been waning for a while and has got to a point where it is simply incapable of responding to social issues,” Oyebode said.
Similarly, Agbo maintained that lack of security and inclusion is responsible for the brain drain in Nigeria and parts of Africa.
“At a time, people were excited to come back to Nigeria, but all that has changed.
“In 2018, we were the fourth largest group of asylum seekers in the European Union, because more and more people keep moving out in search of greener pastures, more opportunities and better security.
“The level of patriotism that the youth show to their country is determined by the level of appreciation that they get from the Government, alongside the security and inclusion that the country provides for them,” Agbo said.
However, the former Guardian Life Editor expressed the need for the region to guarantee the security of lives and property, to ensure economic growth and to others.
