From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Access Bank Chairman Dere Awosika have praised the ingenuity of Nigerian youth and their counterparts across Africa, who are making significant strides in the tech sector.
Both leaders expressed admiration for how young Africans are shifting the narrative from one of poverty and underdevelopment to one of potential in technology, health, and other sectors.
Speaking at the two-day inaugural event “Elevate Africa: The Africa We See,” hosted by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and his wife, Olori Atuwatse III, Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for all Africans to participate in the continent’s growth. He stated, “There is a need to create an enabling environment for all Africans including women and the physically challenged. It is only when we do that we can harness the potential, not just from a privileged few. Let everybody participate.”
Sanwo-Olu also discussed the recent unveiling of a leadership program aimed at fostering a new generation of African leaders, remarking, “It is not just to verbalize these things. We need to start making them actionable and the future will definitely be bright for all of us.”
Dere Awosika, also a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Power, echoed Sanwo-Olu’s sentiment, expressing her excitement over the achievements of African youth in leveraging digital technology to drive social change, create jobs, and revolutionize industries. She said, “For too long, the stories told about Africa have been one-dimensional. Africa has often been cast as a land of problems to be solved, rather than a continent of solutions.”
Awosika stressed the importance of changing this narrative by telling more stories of African innovation: “We need to tell the stories of Africa’s innovation. Stories of African entrepreneurs and creatives leading the way in fashion, music, and film. Stories of young Africans leveraging digital technology to drive social change, create jobs, and transform entire industries. Stories of Africans breaking new ground in medical science and engineering.”
She concluded by urging the media to play a crucial role in reshaping global perceptions of Africa, saying, “These are the stories that redefine ‘The Africa We See,’ and it is the media’s responsibility to ensure they are told loudly, boldly, and consistently.”