When the Nigeria genius comes into its own in any field of human endeavour, it is truly a world class phenomenon. Such attribution was for Dr. Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, a financial expert cum politician. Describing him as an astute politician who has cut his teeth in the financial administration, is just an understatement.

This is also coupled with his keen interest in youth development. This, he has demonstrated, through the countless youth developmental programmes he has initiated. He believes youths are the hope of this country in the nearest future, and therefore must be given the necessary impetus to stimulate their creativity

The above came to the fore last Wednesday nth of May, 2012 at the seventh Rafiu Ibrahim public forum organized by the Junior Chamber International, University of Ilorin chapter.

The forum, themed "Youth in the 21st Century; Self Empowerment and Creativity" and held at the Business Lecture Theatre of the University of Ilorin, played host to who and who in the nation's political arena, academicians, and financial experts among others.

Rafiu Ibrahim's public forum was redolent of old possibilities and refulgent with new probabilities for the youth in the country. The forum, without mincing words, was another opportunity to realize their potentials, in view of the daunting challenges confronting the nation. The lecture also asserted the long standing believe that "an idle hand is the devil's workshop."

Presenting his paper at the forum, the Kwara State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Barrister Kayode Towoju opened the flood gate of talks when he said "family planning structure in Nigeria is not encouraging creativity".

He stated that the rate of unemployment in the country was worrisome, printing out that able youth that are unemployed are proned to violence.

The Commissioner also dwelt on the power problem in the country and maintained that until the predicament is tamed, "we would not give room for creativity.

He said, "family planning structure in Nigeria is not encouraging creativity. Creativity is what we need in Nigeria to solve our contemporary problems".

"Another problem that is killing creativity in this nation is power problem, and until the problem is resolved, we would not give room for creativity. Youths should be given the where withal to demonstrate their endowment".

"If youths are employed, there would be rapid development socially and economically.

Towoju challenged the youths to think of ways of liberating themselves through innovative ideas that would engender growth and development.

Also speaking, the vice-chancellor, university of Ilorin, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede asked the youth, especially the university graduates to be job creators rather being job seekers, adding that they must utilize their potentials for the development of humanity.

Oloyede, who was represented at the occasion by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Yisa Fakunle, bemoaned the fate of graduates who are unemployed, stressing the need for government to create enabling environment through power supply to provide more jobs for the hopeless graduates.

He was quick to disclose that the deputy vice-chancellor's Research, Technology and Innovation office was created to translate the institution's researches to society for their benefit in job and poverty alleviation.

Oloyede applauded the JCI for the forum, saying that the theme chosen for the forum was very appropriate and timely, considering the challenges and multifarious problem dogging the affairs of the nation.

The Honoree, Dr. Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, who also chaired the event, believec that the soval and moral etiquette missing especially among the youth in Nigeria today is as a result of inadequate attention given to youth organization at all level of government in the country.

Ibrahim, who represents Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, also attributed the problem to the non-challant attitude of parents and guardians to their children and wards towards joining voluntary youth organization.

He disclosed that voluntary associations are found with the aims and objectives of building the youth in becoming physically sound, mentally balanced and extremely disciplined in the society by inculcating in them element of selflessness, honesty, leadership training, humility, patriotism and godliness.

The lawmaker, who took cursory look at the challenges facing the Nigerian youth, said "Nigerian youth constitute the most vital productive segment of the population."

"However, the challenges before the Nigerian Youth today are mainly unemployment, under employment, capacity, building and capacity utilization."

Thus, for the youth to realize their socio-economic and political empowerment in the present globalized economy, there is need for continuous entrepreneurship to be seen as part of the brander strategy to empower them and enhance their capacity to fully participate in the country's socio-economic and political development.

Ibrahim promised to initiate more youth oriented programme that would reduce the problem of unemployment to the barest minimum.

The National President of Junior Chamber International, Ambassador David Eka stated that this was the time for Nigerian truth to secure their own future.

According to him, "this year's theme is carefully chosen to create an opportunity for us to discuss and deliberate on the most pressing issues that affect the youth of today".

As an agent of change, we must play our role in order to fulfill the part of our creed that "earth's greatest treasure lies in human personality."

"This is the time for us to secure our future, not only in our organization, but in our nation and the world at large, and this we can achieve because we are youth."

The President, Junior Chamber International, Unilorin chapter, Imoh Austine, said the forum was an opportunity to not only improve oneself, but also to improve the society and the word at large.

The public forum held at the instance of Dr. Rafiu Ibrahim attracted personalities from all walks of life.

Dignitaries included the honorees, Rafiu Ibrahim, the Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Hon. Ibrahim Libho; the Kwara State
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Prince Tunji Moronfoye, his counterpart in Sports' Ministry, Barrister Kayode Towoju, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Technology and Innovation, Professor Yisa Fakunle and Hon. Muraina Niyi Ayantola.

The rest were Hon. Sikirat Anako, Barrister Kamal Fagbemi, th« Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Jimoh Balogun and lion Sulaman wura among others

By Ahmed Lateef (The Herald)