Lagos First Lady, Bolanle Ambode urges youths to engage in productive activities

                     
Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, on Monday charged youths to engage in activities that will ensure meaningful and productive use of their time during the summer break.

She spoke at the opening of ‘Activate Youth Camp’, a 7-day free residential camping for about 200 youths, organized by Annie’s Place, a non-governmental organisation at Reagan Memorial School, Sabo Yaba.

Mrs. Ambode who said that the cornerstone of successful living was serious hard work, dedication, strength of character and the fear of God, urged participants to see the camping as unique, as its central objective is to mould youths into good, useful and productive adult citizens.

She said the essence of the programme is to discover and develop the hidden talents in youths and prepare them for the future.

"Therefore, the strategy is to challenge you physically and mentally, through rigorous training during the camping period and to put you through experiences that would make you self-believing and self-respecting with a positive attitude to life. So, feel free to pursue your respective passions, whatever skills and vocations—cooking, weaving, baking, hat making, handcrafts, dress making, hairdressing or indeed any other’’, she said.

She commended the conveners for addressing the challenge of youth engagement, stressing that it remains a major catalyst for national development, as no nation is assured of a secured and prosperous future when its youths are without character and focus.

Advising the lucky beneficiaries of the programme, Mrs. Ambode urged them to remember the biblical parable of the unfaithful servant and advised them not to bury their talents but take action, so as to excel in life.

"Imbibe the fear of God, be humble, disciplined and respectful, honour your elders and remain focused in your academics, as well as other endeavours which are basic requirements for a successful life", she said.

In her welcome address, convener of ‘Activate Youth Camp’, Mrs. Kikelomo Omooba, disclosed that the week ahead promises to be exciting, educating, inspiring, empowering, thought provoking, as it will be inclusive of physical, intellectual, emotional, mental, social and spiritual activities.

Omooba urged the facilitators to be of good conduct and integrity, reminding them that the objective of the camp is to change lives and build destinies, just as she urged participants to look deeper and learn better.