“Youths, reject the ‘leaders of tomorrow’ toga,” Obasanjo begs.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged young people to reject the garb of future leaders, arguing that they are the leaders of the present.

According to Vanguard, Obasanjo issued this appeal yesterday at a Presidential Youth Retreat with the theme “Contributing to the Green Economy,” which was conducted at the Youth Development Centre in Abeokuta.

He urged young people to make every effort to eliminate anything that might impede their ability to exhibit their leadership potential.

Furthermore, the former president implored the youth of Nigeria to actively participate in the opposition to climate change and advocate for the transition to a green economy.

Obasanjo observed that the detrimental consequences of climate change resulting from carbon dioxide emissions, including but not limited to aberrant weather patterns, extreme temperatures, inundation, and drought, necessitate apprehension and the concerted endeavours of all stakeholders to stymie this alarming development.

He stated, “Climate change is a fact, although some continue to believe it is a myth or not real; extreme weather, droughts, and floods are just a few examples.”

“Science has assisted us in comprehending that humanity has detrimentally affected the equilibrium of everything that God has created, including but not limited to the forest, hills, valleys, and animals—to the point where an imbalance has developed.”

“Those who are adversely affected by the repercussions of this imbalance, including but not limited to the rising sea level, victims of extreme weather conditions, drought, and floods, climate change, and food insecurity, are ourselves responsible for its inception.”

Obasanjo stated that adopting a green economy, which incorporates all endeavours to produce less carbon and assimilate more of it via verdant vegetation, is the way to combat climate change.