EVERY year 12th August is observed as International Youth Day. It is an awareness day which was started by the United Nations.

To mark this year’s International Youth Day, Hon. Ziphion Chrysanthus Terkop sends a resounding message to Nigerian youths. In his message, Ziphion describes Youthfulness as being energetic, hopeful, fearless, smart and determined to attain unimaginable heights in the race of life.

Youthfulness, Ziphion says is making the impossible possible, breaking limits, transcending barriers and overcoming daunting temptations.

In accordance with the 2021 Theme for International Youth Day which is “ Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” Hon. Ziphion stated thus: In many contexts around the world, conflict, natural disasters, climate change, pests and plagues continue to undermine food security. Today, people are at risk of drought or extreme water scarcity and more than one in five children worldwide lives with disabilities related to malnourishment. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the fault lines in food systems, spotlighting the vulnerabilities of farmers, small-scale producers, rural women and youth.

At the same time, intensifying threats to the peace and stability of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations, especially women and girls; affecting markets and supply chains for both major and small-scale farmers.

To address these complex issues, we as youths must be intentional about building sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems while addressing rural poverty, the challenges of feeding a growing population and the effects of climate change.

An essential part of this is ensuring the meaningful participation and engagement of young people in transforming food systems. We need to push for entrepreneurial activities and promote rural employment, provide essential trainings and boost agricultural marketing support, including technical production for young farmers. This requires a more holistic and inclusive, indeed meaningful youth participation to amplify efforts collectively and individually to restore the planet and protect lives.

As youths, there’s no limit to what we can achieve and if we believe in ourselves, the world will believe in us.

SIGNED
ZIPHION MEDIA TEAM

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International Youth Day: Ziphion Chrysanthus charges Plateau youths to believe in themselves