YALF President's New Year Message to African Youth

Happy New Year, 2018!

As always, it is my pleasure writing you again after one year of immense functions, implementation processes and selfless services to the common good of our African people. Our productiveness as comrades towards Africa's development should attract ovations; yet, whenever I recall the courage and sacrifices of Patrice Lumumba, Thomas Sankara, Samora Machel amongst others, I again feel that we (as today's youth) have to do something extraordinary to project Africa to the next level.

Last year was impact-full. Few youths discovered purpose and found the right paths for themselves. Some repaired bridges and retraced their lost paths. Yet, many others established themselves in their pursuits and set comfortable goals for this and many more years. It was indeed a year of investment in youth - I remember telling a friend in Zambia that there's no way I would have tweeted when I barely had the time for myself following the numerous project works; even an education-promoting fellowship. I was that busy in 2017.

The investment in youth and the harnessing of youth's potentials must continue in 2018. There are many young people that need to be empowered with necessary skills and the right attitude to solve their problems and those of others around them. There are also other youth leaders possessing capabilities of mentoring others, pioneering movements and initiating innovations which would bring out the best of Africa. These kinds of stewardship should be held dear in this New Year.

Libya has dominated World News for many months now. Before it, Zimbabwe did - but many thanks to the youth leaders who didn't attract negative spotlight for our continent whilst retiring the aged, Robert Mugabe. Liberian youths also elected the man of their choice without pre or post electoral violence. Many other events portray a growing Africa - so I must point that 2018 would undoubtedly take us a step further towards the realization of the Agenda 2063.

In some parts of the continent, youths would lend hands to the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of States on the UN Reforms to continue to push for Africa's effective representation at the world's most powerful body, United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The ongoing Libyan-saga makes it obvious as to why we need effective representation on the UNSC. Hence, we must brace ourselves well in the will of PAN-AFRICANISM and urge the international community to empathize with Africa on these issues of conflicts. If this is achieved, the UN would then be living up to expectations.

Lots of things are to be done. Let's make 2018 another watershed year for our 1.2billion people.

I salute your resilience!

Best Regards,

Prince Ifoh,
Founder, Young African Leaders Forum (YALF).
Africa Youth Hero, 2015.