Young People Set Agenda for Africa’s Future

By Olatunji Oke

The 5th Edition of ‘The Africa We Want Conference’ convened at the prestigious African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, marking an essential platform for identifying and addressing the bottlenecks impeding Africa’s progress while exploring potential solutions.

Organized by Jet Age Nation Builders, the conference attracted a diverse assemblage of promising young Africans representing various sectors across the continent.

Eminent voices from the continent shared their insights on plausible remedies to tackle Africa’s challenges. Among them, Ambassador Young Piero delivered a resolute address emphasizing the impact of Western influences on Africa’s political economy.

Ambassador Piero expressed a profound passion for Africa’s trajectory, emphasizing the importance of African youth engagement as the conversation for a brighter future gains momentum. He urged a departure from Western influences and advocated for harnessing Africa’s inherent potential, its abundant natural and human resources, to break free from long-standing subjugation. Piero highlighted the Africa Union project 2063 as an endeavor for all Africans, urging collective efforts to pave the way for future generations.

Other notable speakers included Alhaji Sadiq Daware, the Dan Lawan of Adamawa and National Chairman of the Forum for Commodity Association of Nigeria, who addressed the pressing issue of food security in Africa. He stressed the need for sustainable food production free from external interference and emphasized the importance of government support in ensuring the affordability and quality of agricultural inputs.

Hon. Dr. Sha’ban Sharada Oo, a former member of the House of Representatives, presented practical solutions to elevate Africa’s standing in the international arena. He underscored the urgency of addressing security concerns while fostering cross-border collaborations to stimulate economic growth.

Her Royal Highness, Olori Tomitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, spoke with great conviction about crucial deliverables that would drive Africa’s growth. Education emerged as a centerpiece in her discourse, and she highlighted the potential for Africa’s advancement if the continent prioritized investment in out-of-school children. The importance of collaborative partnerships was also underscored as a catalyst for progress, drawing upon Africa’s inherent energy and capabilities to shape its desired future.

Distinguished speakers, including Dr. Azaad Tanar, CEO of Mauritius-based NID Global Business Development LTD, Amb. Dr. Sonia Agu, a renowned social commentator and public affairs analyst, and Meron Getachew, a youth representative from Jet Age Nation Builder in Ethiopia, provided valuable perspectives on various aspects of Africa’s development.

Author Oluwakemi Ann-Melody delivered a compelling speech encouraging active engagement of African youths in critical conversations about Africa’s future. Tesleem Mohammed Dilloo of Overseas Medicals brought attention to the health sector’s significance and advocated for Africa to assume a leadership role in shaping its healthcare landscape.

The evening culminated with an award presentation hosted by H.E. Mufariat Kemil, the Minister of Ethiopian Labour and Skill Affairs, who lauded the organizers for their efforts in driving positive change across the African continent. Dr. Godspower Oshodin, a Nigerian Journalist and CEO of Solution Media Global, also participated as a recognized panellist in the discussions.

The conference provided an essential forum for fostering dialogue, collaboration, and envisioning a prosperous Africa that aligns with the aspirations of its people and the global community.