By Chinedu Onyejelem

 

Ireland’s Nigerian youths and their talents were celebrated at a special event in Dublin hosted by the Nigerian Embassy recently.

 

   Young people, their parents and friends of the Nigerian diaspora were addressed by Ambassador Uzoma Emenike, who said Nigeria’s government places significant value on its young people at home and abroad.

 

   She noted the recent signing by President Muhammadu Buhari of the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ bill, which had cut the required age for Nigerians running for elected office by five years.

 

   “[The Age Reduction Act] has opened a new vista for Nigerian youths to take up the mantle of leadership in Nigeria,” said Ambassador Emenike, who added that the youth focus back home gave her embassy the impetus to celebrate its younger generation in Ireland.

 

   “The embassy believes that harnessing and channeling the talents and skills of youths of Nigerian descent in Ireland towards the right course will go a long way in preparing them for the leadership role they will be opportuned to take up in the future both in Ireland and in Nigeria.

 

  “It is my strong believe that, by motivating and giving youths value re-orientation, it will assist in making them a better adult and it will also help to reduce the number of juvenile delinquencies amongst them drastically,” Ambassador Emenike said.

 

  “The Embassy has selected youths like yourselves who have gone through life tumultuous journey and were able to weather the storm and are thriving in their chosen field to come and share their life experiences with you. By doing so, you can get better motivated to achieve more out of life.”