Youth across the continent of Africa recently met at the University Women’s Club in Mayfair, London to discuss the opportunities, potentials and future of the continent at the African Youth Gala, 2016.
The event which was organised by the African Youth Initiative, an organisation founded by the son of the former governor of Ogun State, Adebola Daniel and his counterpart, Ife Tokan had in attendance Professor Franklyn Lisk of the Centre for the Study of Globalization and Regionalization (CSGR), University of Warwick, UK; Tunji Akintokun, Director of global corporation for Cisco Africa; Founder Mr. and Mrs UK pageant, Ganiyat Alli, among many others.
Speaking at the event, Akintokun reiterated the need for African youth to take up the responsibility to place the continent on the right path among the comity of nations.
Speaking on the challenges facing the continent on connectivity and technology, he said: “The story of Africa’s digitiation is not complete without the youth because it is the youth in the diaspora that has the power to bridge the skills gap that exists in technology in Africa and it is the youth that will driveinnovation”
On his part, Professor Franklyn stressed the need for Africa to focus on development of the education sector, especially revamping of the teacher’s training programme.
The African Youth Initiative (AYI) was founded in July 2015 to bridge the gap between young Africans in diaspora and Africa. The organisation is aimed at engaging and empowering young Africans to work together to create sustainable change in the continent.