By Angela Atabo
The President of the United Nigerian Youths Congress (UNYC) has called for a renewed focus on national interest, urging Nigerians to put the country first in all endeavours.
The President of UNYC, Naseer Chamber, made the call in Abuja, at the 2025 National Youth Conference with the theme “Nigeria First: Leadership, Solution for National Growth”.
Chamber said the theme for this year’s conference was deliberately chosen to drive the message of patriotism and sacrifice for the nation.
“Any country that develops or that succeeds, you will find out that they put their country first and there is no other alternative to that.
“Unfortunately, the politicians we have and the citizens are in no way helping hands.
“Look at the hall today. Look at Nigerians from all over the country coming. It shows us their level of patriotism. Nigerians love their country,” he said.
Chamber said UNYC vowed to build the capacity of youths, unify the country and support reforms in the military, police, and security architecture, adding that Nigeria’s diversity is not weakness but her greatest strength.
He said, “Fellow Nigerian youths, history is calling us. The future is calling us. Our country is calling us. Let us answer with courage and unity. With this coalition, we are not just preparing for the future we are creating it.”
Chamber said UNYC had the determination to change the narrative of the country by building and raising youths that put Nigeria first.
“In the long run, that Nigeria that we are putting first will help us in challenging, whether it is the authority or those in positions of authority, to replace them.
“We have to deal with the brokenness, with people that are more competent than them. So that is our oath. That is what we swear to do,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Suleiman Mande, the Director of Programmes, UNYC, said the conference was a form of reparation.
Mande said that the conference brought together relevant stakeholders to speak on serious national issues.
He said, “The conference also provides solutions, because that is exactly what we want. We do not just want to talk about problems.
“We want to provide solutions and we hope that policymakers and those in positions and power will listen to what we have discussed and also implement some of the recommendations that we provide.”
Mande expressed confidence that Nigeria would rise above all the extant challenges facing her right now.
He, however, said that it would start with the people.
Mande said that with sensitisation, advocacy, enlightenment campaigns and with a right mind-set and attitude, Nigeria would rise above the challenges.
He added, “All the developed countries we are seeing and admiring today, it is not some aliens that came and did the work for them.
“They are the ones who did the work for their own country to grow and progress. So as Nigerians, we can also do that. It only takes determination, commitment and dedication to the cause.”
Mande said he believed that the conference would set the stage right and send the right message.
He urged the citizens to put the nation first ahead of tribalism, personal interest and any political differences and unite to make it work. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
