Babatunde Fashola, former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, has asked Nigerian youths to stay back in the country rather than seeking green pasture abroad amid the economic hardship.
Fashola, who said youths must be able to do something better for themselves, noted that an end must be put to the mass exodus of the country.
The two-term Lagos governor spoke on Saturday at the combined 8th and 9th convocation ceremonies of the Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo state.
Fashola, who admitted that things were tough in Nigeria, advised young people in the country to push their way through to get into a place of decision-making.
“Why did Mrs Folorunso Alakija not run away? Why did Chief Tunde Afolabi who have contributed to Nigeria not run away ? Why are they still here? Times were equally tough in their younger days that propelled the popular musician Dr Victor Olaiya’s song Ilu le o, ko s’owo l’ode…. (sics) in the 60s.
“The youths have become leaders in the Nigerian household, and therefore, they must embrace that responsibility. Do leaders also run away when it is difficult? There were tough times when Chief Ade-Ojo was at the University of Nigeria (UNN), but Ade-Ojo didn’t leave. If he had left, there would be no Elizade University.” he said.
