The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has warned young people that it was more sensible for them to learn from history than from experience.
According to him, young people needed to learn from history instead of repeating it or allowing it to jeopardize a better future.
Just as the Liberian president, his deputy and different Liberian groups welcomed him and decorated him with traditional recognitions and awards at a youth forum in Monrovia on Monday.
The vice president, who was the special guest of honor at a youth forum to mark the 60th birthday of his Liberian counterpart, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, spoke at length about learning from past experiences.
According to a statement from yesterday’s press assistant to the vice president, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo spoke while answering questions during the conversation with the young Liberians.
According to him, “every sensible person learns from history and not from experience, because if you wait to learn from experience, you will suffer. What you are supposed to do with history and your past is learn from it and never let it repeat itself.”
“One of the most important things for young people is that they have to keep in mind all the time that their story is not their destiny, it is just part of their story.
“Your destiny is what you have decided, where you are going and will arrive as long as you do not allow the tyrant and oppressor of history to stop you.”
Encouraging the youth in the room, the vice president urged them to take advantage of the opportunities emerging technologies offer to improve educationally and financially, noting that the benefits of technological innovations are numerous.
When asked about the impact and prevalence of social media, Osinbajo said: “I think social media is a blessing for everyone, not just for politicians but also for the electorate and others. Platforms are crucial to be able to communicate and it is also important to recognize that each generation has its own technology.
“It has its abuses and drawbacks, but you have to make sure you maximize its real advantages. One of the main advantages is that for people like us who were born decades ago, to do simple research, you would have to go to a library.”
“Today, I can do all my research with just my iPad, while sitting pretty much anywhere, as long as I have an Internet connection,” he added.
The vice president added that “youth are at the most advanced moment in the history of humanity. One of the cool things is that your smartphones have more computing power than all the computing power that brought the Apollo 11 spacecraft to the moon.
“In terms of advancement, this generation is like no other before it. We who are older than you are enjoying the technology of your generation, and I hope and pray that you take full advantage of it to expand your knowledge, and scope of activities, and to expand the company and its communication with other people”.
At the youth forum themed “Conversation with the Vice President and Youth”, Howard-Taylor, in his welcoming remarks, described his Nigerian counterpart as a humble and selfless leader who inspires hope for a better Africa.
Howard-Taylor praised Osinbajo as “the most humble politician in Africa”, noting that emerging leaders across the continent have much to learn from his humility and commitment to service.
Also at the event, the vice president was honored with a Distinguished Service to Humanity award – for his exemplary service to the development of Nigeria, Liberia, West Africa and the rest of the continent – by young Liberians, some 400 of whom were part of the event.
Presenting the award plaque to Osinbajo, event co-host and youth activist Mr. Benjamin Sanvee said the award was in appreciation of “all his service, all that he has done and will continue to do.”
According to him, “this is a deep appreciation for years of stellar service to Nigeria, Liberia, the ECOWAS region, the African continent and the world at large. We, the youth of Liberia and, by extension, the youth of Africa “. , are proud to present you this token of appreciation.
“You are a shining example of an exceptional, selfless and exemplary leader, who is quiet and constant, not only a source of inspiration to the youth of Africa, but you have impacted the lives of millions across the continent in so many ways.
“You are an outstanding and outstanding leader and we thank you for all you do and will continue to do. I present this plaque to you, on behalf of young Africans, as one of Africa’s most outstanding leaders,” added the youth leader. .
Osinbajo was also decorated at the event with the traditional title of “Chief Flomo Barwolor,” which means “light to the people.”
The traditional title was presented by a Liberian cultural group headed by Ambassador Madam Julee Endee.
The forum was also attended by the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madame Fatima Maada Bio, who praised Osinbajo for her exemplary leadership, especially in promoting the cause of a better Africa for all.
Earlier Monday, Osinbajo was received in Monrovia by President George Weah, who spoke with him and welcomed him to the West African nation, expressing appreciation for the one-day visit.
Also, during her stay in Monrovia, the vice president made a brief stop at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for the Development of Women, to participate in the ECOWAS Human Rights Day program, which also coincided with the 5th. th anniversary of Mrs. Sirleaf’s post-presidency. .
In his remarks there, Osinbajo applauded the former Liberian president’s contributions to the development of the country both in and out of office, noting that “one of the things he has been able to demonstrate is not only that he can serve well, but also to serve out of office. and maybe do more.
“What he has done since leaving office has perhaps had a bigger impact, especially in Africa, and we are really proud of the work he has done and his achievements. We pray for even greater achievements in the future,” he added. vice president.
