Find solutions to global problems, US consul general advises Nigerian youths

Will Stevens, the United States consul general, has urged Nigerian youths to find sustainable solutions to global problems. 

The US consulate in Lagos inducted 50 youths from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states to the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI).

CYFI is an initiative of the US consulate general in Lagos and was launched in 2011. The objective is to encourage visionary Nigerian youths to design and implement projects that will have a positive impact on society.

“These are the future of Nigeria and the future of partnership with the United States,” Will Stevens, said to the new inductees.

He added that the youths should be concerned with finding solutions to global problems by fostering economic growth and strengthening civil society structures in their local communities.

Arese Carrington, the wife of late Walter Carrington who was a former US ambassador to Nigeria, urged the new fellows to keep learning and be part of those who will make a positive global impact.

“My message to you and all the Nigerian youth is to keep learning and never stop yearning to be part of those who will make a positive impact not just locally but globally by the actions you take,” she said.

She added that young people must work with integrity for the common good of humanity.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the panel discussion on the Nigerian Startup bill (NSB).

The discussion on the bill started with a keynote address delivered by Oswald Guobadia, senior special assistant to the president on digital transformation, who was represented by Victor Famobude.

In his remark, Guobadia said: “The Nigerian Startup Bill (NBS) is a joint initiative of stakeholders in Nigeria’s tech industry and the presidency, to co-create laws and regulations that are clear and work for the digital tech ecosystem. The objective of this bill is to provide a legal and institutional framework for the development of startups in Nigeria.”

According to him, the bill which only requires the presidential accent is one step away from becoming law. He added that the bill will position Nigeria as a leading ecosystem of startup technology in Africa.

A panel discussion on the startup bill further addressed the importance of the bill and its relevance to the economic growth of young entrepreneurs.