This blog was written by Oluwayemi Philip Adebayo, ONE Champion in Nigeria.
Nigerian ONE Champions Olalekan Obisesan, Abimbola Adeluwoye and Oluwayemi Philip Adebayo at the 2017 African Youth and Governance Conference in Abeokuta.
At this point in time, there is no denying that the greatest resource in Africa are its youth. Hence the conscious decision by the African Union (AU) to declare 2017 as the year to invest in youths towards harnessing the demographic dividend in Africa.
This is why I was so privileged to represent ONE at the 9th African Youth and Governance Conference (AYGC) that took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria to engage in the theme addressing the demographic dividend issue.
Nigeria ONE Champions Abimbola Adeluwoye and Olalekan Obisesan participating in the teambuilding session.
I was joined by fellow Champion Abimbola Adeluwoye and Olalekan Obisesan of the campaigns team at ONE.
We were challenged along other delegates to come up with achievable resolutions that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of African youths and then present a Motion for debate to the General Assembly to be passed into Resolutions. Whilst I had prepared for the speech I was nervous, but I was able to woo the General Assembly into passing the Motions into Resolutions.
Abimbola moving a motion during the General Assembly.
It was a wonderful experience for me although my heart was still beating fast for three minutes after dropping the microphone J. I give kudos to my Committee members for the team work and my colleague Abimbola who was also successful after delivering her speech. It was win-win experience for ONE.
The icing on the cake of my experience at the conference was the debate on the Motions at the Ogun State House of Assembly. Prior to the conference, I had no idea of how Motions were developed and passed into Resolutions. I had come in contact with some Resolutions in the past but I do wonder how such documents were developed. Through the interesting yet tedious brainstorming sessions in my Committee, I was able to learn the skill needed to write a Resolution.
At the end of the debate, several of ONE’s 3E’s (education, employment, and empowerment) agenda of action were included in the final Resolutions of the Committees on Education and Gender and Social Inclusion.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo adds his support to ONE’s #GirlsCount campaign.
A highlight was that the former President Olusegun Obasanjo joined the #GirlsCount campaign! We also recruited new pan African members, got signatures for the AU/DD petitions, and filmed a good number #GirlsCount videos.
I am confident that the history of Africa will be rewritten when the potentials of youths are fully harnessed. I therefore call on African governments to do everything possible towards harnessing the demographic dividend through investments in youths through education, with a focus on girls, and economic opportunities.
Have I told you that Abimbola won the award for the “Most Inspiring Delegate” at the African night of the Conference? Yes, she did. Congratulations to her!
To be an advocate for girl-child education, why not join us today to take and upload your #GirlsCount video.
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