The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, has expressed the UN’s pride in being an ally of the youth, encouraging them to continue being a force for positive change in society.

Fall stated this at the sixth edition of the Lagos Secondary Schools Model United Nations conference held on Tuesday.

The conference was convened by the six Lagos Education Districts, the United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria, and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

This was contained in a statement signed by the National Information Officer, UNIC, Oluseyi Soremekun, on Wednesday.

“The United Nations is proud to be your ally. And we count on you to be a force for positive change, now and in the future.

“Young people are not just the future; you are the present. Your voices matter. Your ideas can shape policies, transform communities, and drive progress,” he said in a video message to the General Assembly, as stated in the statement.

The theme of LASSMUN 2025, “UN@80 – Dismantling Barriers and Charting a Pathway to Meaningful Youth Engagement for SDGs Achievement,” was particularly relevant as it coincided with the UN’s 80th anniversary.

Fall stressed the importance of young people in decision-making processes, referring to the Pact for the Future, which calls for youth to be decision-makers, not just guests.

He urged the delegates, who were students from Lagos public secondary schools, to use the conference as a learning platform.

“Your journey starts now. Learn. Debate. Connect. And when you leave this conference, carry this fire forward,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, also addressed the delegates, encouraging them to direct their energies toward positive change.

She urged them to remain bold and confident, but to avoid aggression.

“Be bold, but not aggressive; be confident but not unruly. Don’t get tired. Don’t give up. Don’t flow with the tide, I charge you to stand out,” she said, stressing the importance of determination and vision in achieving their goals.

LASSMUN President Grace Ogungbamigbe highlighted several challenges faced by young people, including economic disparity, limited opportunities, the digital divide, and unequal access to education.

She called for a paradigm shift in how youth engagement is approached, advocating for genuine partnerships that allow young people to take the lead.

“This requires a paradigm shift in our approach, moving beyond tokenistic gestures to genuine partnerships that empower young people to lead and innovate,” she said.

Ogungbamigbe also urged member states, international organisations, and the private sector to invest in education and skills development to prepare youth for future challenges.

The Secretary General of the LASSMUN Sixth General Assembly, Peter Alademehin, noted that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals was a collective effort, with youth playing a central role.

At the conclusion of the conference, a resolution was presented by rapporteur Al-Amee Sowemimo, calling for the inclusion of youth in decision-making. The resolution also stressed the need to address global educational disparities, noting that millions of children remain out of school worldwide.

The resolution concluded by urging member states to create policies that foster meaningful youth participation and leadership, ensuring young people have the opportunities and support they need to succeed.


https://punchng.com/un-proud-to-be-your-ally-resident-coordinator-assures-nigerian-youths/