Femi Falana, the human rights lawyer, has asked Nigerian youths to reclaim the country and redefine its future.
Falana spoke during the sixth annual youth leadership conference at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Saturday.
The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said the country has changed for the worse, and youths are suffering, hence the need for them to rise up.
“You will have to challenge those who are in power when you have access to them, because some of them in power today belong to our generation,” NAN quoted Falana as saying.
“We didn’t suffer what you are going through. We lived a life of dignity.
“My generation had dreams, genuine dreams, about this country becoming one of the best in the world, because we have abundant human and natural resources that should make us a leading country in the world. But what has happened?
“Your generation has a duty to reclaim the country, and please, when you are going to listen to songs in ceremonies of this nature, please try and listen to some of the great African musicians.”
The human rights lawyer said listening to such music would inspire the youths to fight for justice.
“You must also listen and be inspired to fight for justice in our country,” he said.
“You are often told that our country is poor. Quote me, ours is not poor. We suffer from material poverty because there is poverty of ideas in our country.
“They tell you you are leaders of tomorrow. You must be leaders of today first, so you must take back what is left.”
