A non-governmental organisation, Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment, has urged government at all levels to create a platform for the youth to excel.

The founder of the NGO, Mrs Bimpe Bamigbose-Martins, in a statement to commemorate the 2020 International Youth Day, also asked the youth to use creativity to provide solutions to the myriad of problems facing the world.

She said, “COVID-19 has affected the youth significantly in areas such as their education, employment, social life, mental health and more. Hence, there is an urgent need for realignment in thoughts and methods and a higher call for youth to build their capacity, learn new skills and map out new ways of achieving results.

“We call on the government and the private sector to recognise the significant potential of the youth in creativity and the provision of innovative solutions to complex issues the world currently faces. We ask that they create more platforms for them to utilise their ability and skills, without exception to the vulnerable ones, thereby leaving no one behind.”

Bamigbose-Martins also challenged the young people to lead by example, become strategic thinkers, intelligent risk-takers, and solution providers.