By Oluwafemi Popoola


Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo Saturday 25th July 2020, at the virtual Valedictory service for graduating students of Edgewood College, Lagos implored young Nigerians to seize opportunities the COVID 19 have presented at the moment to change the course of human history.


According to Prof. Osinbajo, “No matter how you look at it, you are unique. The game changed in your generation, you are certainly a class of game changers. The point with any opportunity is that it must be seized if you are to benefit from it, which is why you must never take your place in history for granted. There is always a divine reason for it.”

Historically, he said “circumstances have moved you ahead. No one has been here before. None of your parents or mine can tell you how life would be in or after a global pandemic. We know some but not nearly all of the challenges and all of the opportunities that will come with it. And if you tell me that you would have to wait until you get into University and even graduate before you start to answer those questions then you are missing the opportunity that history is offering you.”

He further explained that when an opportunity to make history comes, it is often disguised as a challenge, a draw back or even a tragedy, adding that an opportunity often “hardly ever looks like the next great leap of mankind.”

“Young age is a profound advantage in a time of uncertainty such as now and that such times also offer opportunity. In his words, “there is no qualifying age to be a problem solver, an entrepreneur, a great poet, an inventor, or an author. Age doesn’t matter. You must from now begin to examine the solutions to the problems that we face and will face now and in the coming years.” He concluded.

Yes sir, we youths must look inward on what we can do to create jobs using the opportunities provided by covid 19.

Opportunity is everywhere, even at the present situation of the world. The youth should be encouraged to think of what they can achieve in every situation.

I agree totally with the VP as turning challenges into opportunities is very important in this present world.
Youths should start the problem solving mentality from now so as to secure the future.

K, nice words