INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY: CSO Makes Case for Nigerian Fallen Heroes, Families

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the International Youth Day, a Civil Society Organisation, Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative, has paid tribute to Nigerian fallen heroes for their ultimate sacrifices in keeping the nation united.

The CSO at a press conference in Abuja, addressed by its national coordinator, Solomon Adodo, explained that it chose to celebrate the nation’s fallen heroes whom he said have mostly been youths due to their exceeding love for Nigeria and Nigerians while they lived.

Adodo also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces heirachy for prioritising the welfare of its troops at the various theatres of war, both within the nation’s borders and elsewhere around the world.

The United Nations has declared the 12th of August every year as the International Youth Day as a way of recognizing relentless efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing an enduring, peaceful and prosperous global society.
The special day also aims to promote ways to engage the youth in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities.

The theme for this year’s International Youth Day, which is “Transforming Education”, highlights efforts to making education more inclusive and accessible for all youths, including efforts by the youths themselves towards more purposeful and productive lives.

According to the CSO, the Nigerian youth has consistently sacrificed for the peace and unity of the nation and it was high time the nation reciprocated this gesture.

“The Nigerian youth have proven over time to be brave and patriotic and the least the nation can do in appreciation is not to allow their dreams perish with them. More than 80 percent of soldiers that have lost their lives fighting insurgents and other criminal elements are youths. These youths have wives and children. One of the ways the Federal Government can show appreciation for the ultimate prize paid by these heroes is to float a fund that will see to the education and welfare of the families of the deceased.

” We acknowledge that the chief of Army Staff, Brig. General Tukur Buratai, has taken initiative to ensure that troops are properly catered for. We are also aware that he has consistently extended a hand of fellowship to families of slain soldiers, and has given proper medical attention to wounded soldiers, both at home and abroad as the case demands.

“We herein appeal to the Federal Government to pay particular attention to the needs of the army and other security outfits for their efforts in maintaining her territorial integrity.

“In view of the complexities involved in fighting insurgency, we use this medium to appeal to all Nigerians to be conscious of the comments they make about our security agencies, bearing in mind that whatever that is said would either boost or weaken the morale of the troops.

“All that we ought to do at this point in time is to show solidarity with our troops to completely flush out terrorists and other criminal elements in our country for the good of all”, said Adodo, the helmsman of the CSO.