The National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Amb (Dr.) Dickson Akoh, has called on Nigerian youths to be a little patient with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the transformation being expected by Nigerians would not happen in a day.
Akoh believes that when change occurs, it takes a lot of time, planning and reformation to be able to stabilise and implement the blueprint of the new era.
Speaking in Abuja Saturday, at the empowerment seminar organised by YOURTIMEPAYS Nigeria Integrated Services, Akoh said, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari promised to empower Nigerian youths, adding that he was optimistic the President would deliver on his promises.
He, however, urged the youths to believe in the government of the day and give it a little more time to deliver on its promises.
He said, “every reform or social change is initially accompanied with hardships, and that is exactly what the country is passing through today.
“I believe, with the support of well meaning Nigerians, especially the youths, we shall surely get out of the situation.
“The greatest challenge we are having in this country today, which is not only applicable to the leadership, any new idea, invention or initiative, people will read different meanings to it . Perhaps, it is because of our long suffering”.
Akoh who was the Guest Speaker at the function, observed that, “No matter how laudable a project is, expect that people would politicise it and attach different meanings to it”.
Akoh said, Nigeria was making “radical departure from the ugly trend in the past where wealth was developing wings and flying in the streets. Now, people have to work hard to make money”.
This development, according to Akoh, was a healthy one for Nigerians and the government, stressing that, President Buhari would eventually give the youth reasons to believe in themselves and the country.
On the recently passed Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps, the Commandant expressed optimism that the President would sign the Bill, even as he said it had not been formally presented to the President for assent.
While corroborating the Commandant, the President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Chinonso Obasi, said the over 43m Nigerian Students would stand by any initiative, either governmental or private, geared towards empowerment of the youths.
He said, NANS was one hundred percent in support of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, YOURTIMEPAYS empowerment initiative and other organisations working for the upliftment of Nigerian Students and youths.
Highlights of the event, among other things, was the presentation of brand new Hyundai car to Dickson Akoh by the CEO of YOURTIMEPAYS Initiative, Kerry Sholaye Kenu, for his numerous empowerment programmes for Nigerian youths.