Concerned by the level of neglect of young minds in the country, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, South-West Zone, Bishop Tunde Akin-Akinsanya, has called for the provision of more support for the development of teenagers in Nigeria.
The clergyman also disclosed that the teenagers are assets in the national rebirth agenda of the country, adding that “if we don’t make a deliberate effort to teach them those cherished values, they won’t have anything to offer.”
He stated this during a Trust Teens Conference organised by Trust Teens Foundation. The event was held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Speaking on the neglect of teenagers, Akin-Akinsanya said: “The teen years are formative years. It’s the time to catch them young and build them up for greater exploits. It is the time to inculcate in them those cherished values of patriotism, honesty, integrity, hard work, love for one another, diligence among others.
“Unfortunately, we tend to neglect them and focus so much on the youth whereas they are the next generational leaders. They remain the foundation but if the foundation is faulty, what can we do?
“The national rebirth can’t work if we don’t carry these teens along. If we don’t make a deliberate effort to teach them those cherished values, they won’t have anything to offer.
“If we raise and teach them those things that are expected of them as patriotic citizens, how they can impact their generation, they will definitely catch the fire of the national rebirth that we are really so much in need of in our country, because like I said earlier, they are to take over from us.
“So I encourage the government, religious bodies and other stakeholders to come on board and provide platforms and support for these young minds to be great assets for the country.”
During the conference which had the theme “Building Exceptional Teenagers,” hundreds of teenagers from different secondary schools in Ogun State were trained on how to be exceptional teenagers. Issues they were trained on include mental health, importance of education, communication strategies, etc.
Convener of the conference and the Lead of Trust Teens Foundation, Deborah Dada, said that the essence of the gathering was to fire up the teenagers to be the very best in life.
She added that: “We want to tell them that we care for them even if it seems that they are often forgotten and neglected by the society. We want them not to allow their background to hinder them from achieving the best in life.
“We want to urge them to be positive about life, they must adopt the right attitude and values, they must support their parents, they must shun all anti-social vices and go ahead to make an impact in life.”
One of the partners of the conference, Steve Heir’s Foundation, disclosed that it will continue to empower youths and foster a sense of community for young people.
According to a statement issued in solidarity with the conference, the foundation noted that the event will afford it the opportunity to reach a broader audience and make a meaningful difference in the lives of teenagers.
Dansteve Adekanbi, the driving force behind Steve Heir’s Foundation, who was represented by Rev Dr Steve Adekanbi, was quoted in the statement saying, “At Steve Heir’s Foundation, we believe in the power of investing in our
“Partnering with the Trust Teens Conference aligns perfectly with our mission to provide young people with the resources and support they need to thrive. Together, we can create a brighter future for the next generation.”
Speakers at the conference include Public Health Nutritionist, Ifeoluwa Odegbami; Founder and CEO Cheetahs Policy Institute, Dotun Famoriyo; media and communication professional, Enioluwa Adeoluwa; and TV hostess and beauty entrepreneur, Lara Emmanuel.
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