Human rights lawyer Femi Falana on Monday urged youths to shun internet fraud, embrace innovation and the legitimate use of technology, and called on governments to intensify efforts to tackle illiteracy, unemployment and insecurity.
Mr Falana, who spoke at the third edition of Afe Babalola Day at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), said Nigeria’s development challenges require urgent, sustained government intervention rather than an overconcentration on political campaigns.
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The event, themed “A Celebration of Life, Legacy, Service and Impact,” was held in honour of Mr Babalola, who is the ABUAD founder.
Mr Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from Mr Babalola’s life, stressing that determination, education and the productive use of available opportunities could help them overcome personal and societal limitations.
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He maintained that individual efforts could not substitute for the primary responsibility of government to provide education, infrastructure and an enabling environment for citizens to thrive.
He expressed concern over the state of basic education in Nigeria, particularly the reported failure of some state governments to fully access or utilise funds provided through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Mr Falana said the situation was troubling over the continuing prevalence of child and adult illiteracy, despite the adoption of the Child Rights Act across the states and its provisions on children’s access to basic education.
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“I am also taking advantage of this programme to warn young people, as well as their parents, against internet fraud, which is very prevalent here.
“Young people should take advantage of technology to develop new ideas and pursue productive ventures rather than engage in criminal activities.
“I understand that there is an organisation called the ‘Iya Omo Ologo’ Association in Ekiti State. It is a shame that such an organisation exists. The members of that organisation must be identified and made to justify how they can come together to promote young people who have engaged in criminality,” he said.
Mr Falana praised Mr Babalola for his accomplishments despite initially attaining only Standard Six.
“I am here to honour Aare Afe Babalola and all other Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in one way or another. Aare Afe Babalola’s achievements are exceptional and rare.
“In terms of formal education, the highest level he attained in conventional schooling was Standard Six. However, through correspondence studies, he acquired a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree and an LLB degree before becoming a lawyer. He was called to both the English Bar and the Nigerian Bar and eventually reached the pinnacle of his legal career as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
“He has also produced many Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including two of his own children. His life and achievements therefore serve as an inspiration and a model for young people to emulate.
In his remarks, Mr Babalola urged the people to change their mindset of wanting government to do everything for them.
“And that brings me to the way people view government, particularly when it comes to living up to their responsibilities. People talk about government as if that concept means more than its ordinary meaning. For me, government is nothing but an aggregate of people, you and I.
“With that, we should change our attitude of wanting to leave everything for the government to do for us. Today, it has got to the ludicrous extent that many Nigerians want to bear children and donate them to government to train for them.
“We cannot abdicate our responsibilities for government, not in the face of other compelling and competing duties of government,” he said.
He also urged young people to embrace hard work, integrity, discipline and commitment to excellence as essential ingredients for success and meaningful contributions to society.
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