The United Nations Secretary- General, Ban Ki- moon on Friday in Lagos said youths could solve problems of abject poverty, ostentatious wealth, hunger and food wastes.
He made the remarks in a message to the United Nations International Youth Day event in Lagos.
The theme of the event is: “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production ’’.
It was put together in collaboration with Strategies for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (SMILE).
The secretary-general was represented by the Director, United Nations Information Centre in Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja.
Ban Ki-moon said there was need to engage the young people in transforming production and consumption of goods and services.
`Today’s youths have more information than any previous generation.
“Youth dynamism, creativity and idealism can combine to shape attitude toward demand and help create more sustainable industries, ‘’ he said.
Ban Ki-moon, however, advocated youth empowerment to create a lasting change in the world.
“When we invest in youths, they can contribute to new markets, decent jobs, fair trade, sustainable housing, transport, tourism and other opportunities that can benefit the planet and people.
“I urge others to join this global push for progress by backing the youth to create a lasting change in our world,’’ he said.
Also speaking, the President, SMILE, Mrs Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, said that government needs to do a lot more for youths in the country.
“In Nigeria, we need to understand the urgency in youth-adult partnership, calling and tapping into the creativity of young people, just as being done in the developed countries.
“We want everybody to please understand that youths are no liability but assets and we need to deploy them and empower them.
“We would continue to clamour for more involvement, empowerment, opportunities for young people because they have energy and creativity to move us forward,’’ she said.
Also, Mrs Ini Onuk, Lead Consultant, Thistle Praxis Ltd., advised the youth to be more productive as the leaders of tomorrow.