Resource persons at the just concluded Pacesetters Summit 2021 Edition have urged young change makers to rise up to solve the problems bedevilling Africa as a continent.
This was said at the summit held by Development Advocacy Network International (DANI Africa), in collaboration with the Federal University Oye-Ekiti Student Union (FUOYESU).
The summit themed “Upsurge” was held physically at the University Science Auditorium and virtually. It featured key sessions on leadership and governance, media and civic space, academics and career and business and entrepreneurship.
JD Modede, Board Chairman of DANI Africa, emphasized the need for the youth to advance in all spheres during the main keynote session.
Mr Modede said: “The times that we are, has a correlation to an inability to exercise control. Our world is suffering the effect of our negligence. We have produced in and out of crises. Our world is in need.
“For us to see the desired change, we need an Upsurge in cultivating the leadership attitude among the young. Young people will need to rise to the demand of leadership development and governance.
“We need an upsurge in the media and civic space, business and entrepreneurship and academics and career,” he added.
While delivering his welcome address, Samuel Ajala, Executive Director, DANI Africa and President, National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ) called for the sudden emergence of African youths who will work to solve the problem bedeviling the continent.
“Despite this enormous feat and breathtaking fact about Africa, Today, the continent remains the poorest and least-developed continent in the world. The continent has been suffering from poverty, hunger, corruption, terrorism, mismanagement of land, illiteracy, diseases, poor infrastructure, conflict, climate change hazards among others.
“In the face of this heat, Covid-19 happened to the world. On December 31, 2019, mysterious cases of pneumonia were detected in the city of Wuhan in China’s Hubei Province. The virus spread extensively in the Wuhan region of China and gained entry to over 210 countries and territories causing a complete closure of daily routines, depleting global resources, and, in extreme cases, causing loss of life.
“Today, COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over 149,817 African lives and nearly 5 million cases have been recorded so far. Africa’s COVID-19 story is one of the nuances. Poverty, political instability, internal conflicts, economic crisis, and violations of human rights are among the components that further amplify a global health emergency such as that of COVID-19 in Africa.”
Mr Ajala added that “in perilous times like this, there is a need for a sudden strong emergence of young change-makers who will work to solve the problems bedeviling Nigeria and Africa. The Pacesetters Summit is dedicated to proffering solutions to the problems facing the giant of Africa.
“Our industry experts will address, motivate, inspire and educate youths on life-applicable principles for successful living in all aspects of life. The event will also enable young change-makers to learn from top experts and icons to learn the principles of changing the status quo and having access to mentorship to get them to the top.
“Your experience in this summit will be for a global lifetime impact. Welcome to the league of global young change-makers.”
While speaking to the participants, Emmanuel Adohoje, Assistant Registrar, FUOYE said “that education in this clime may be a joke but don’t be a joker.” He, alongside othet panelists, emphasized on the acquisition and application of knowledge by the students.
After each plenary session, awards were given to the panelists, young adults, who are contributing to nation building in different spheres.
The event witnessed keynote speakers like JD Modede, DANI Africa Board Chairman; Joshua Olufemi, Board Vice-Chairman/ Executive Director, Dataphyte; Jeanne Clark, US Embassy Spokesperson; Omowunmi Ogunrotimi, Executive Director, Gender Mobile Initiative; Triumph Abatan, Managing Director ATCO Homes; Prof Shola Omotola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Joan Abaziuwa, President Plus Career Consulting Club, USA.
It also featured panelists like Rt Hon Ayo Toba Fatunla, Speaker, Ekiti Youths Parliament; Alabi Johnson Sunday, FUOYESU President; Damilola Olajubutu, Executive Director, Rural Nurture Initiative; Adara Tosin, CEO GlimpseNg; Janet Alalade, Founder, Ekiti Events Vendor; Oluwatade Faith, Business Strategist / Expert; Ooss Omobolaji Israel, Partnership Director, DANI Africa and Oriowo Mary, Chief Operation Lead, DANI Africa.