By Fortune Abang
Abuja, June 25, 2021

Mrs Amina Mohammed, the United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General has urged youths to always be patriotic to promote lasting peace and development.

Mohammed, who is also the Chairperson of the UN Sustainable Development Group, gave the advice on the sidelines of a public lecture on Thursday in Abuja.

The lecture titled: “The use of ceasefire agreements in avoiding escalation of armed conflicts” was organised by the Law Faculty of Baze University.

According to her, young people must always speak positively about their country, irrespective of the circumstances they are facing.

“You need to go back and find out what is happening in your villages and where we were in 1960 and where we are today.

“I agree with you that the potential in this country has not been met and we could have done much better with this government, with the past government and with the governments before.

“What I disagree with is people going about saying there is no hope and condemn everything about the country. So, to say nothing is happening, define what you mean by nothing.

“Mind what you say because it has impact on people’s lives, some people take it seriously, whether what you say is true or not.

“It is, therefore, important to always consider the implication of what you want to say about your country is, before saying them.”

She noted that, “it is imperative for people to always know that what they say has implications, which could do harm.

“Instead of writing off their fatherland, young people should employ their educational skills and contribute their quota, towards the growth of the country.”

Meanwhile, Prof. Mamman Tahir, (SAN) Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, said the lecture was one in a series being put together by the Faculty of Law in the University to promote interactive learning.

He expressed appreciation to Mohammed for finding time to deliver the public lecture at the University.

“It is the type of things we want to see in our institution that distinguishes it from other universities, where you have platform for sharing ideas.”

He described the title of the lecture as apt and in line with the global situation, in terms of crisis resolution.

He stressed the need for people to always engage in roundtable discussions, as means to end conflict and promote lasting peace.