User:Meckson

EAC-Youth Summit in Nairobi Kenya. A keynote speech by Hon. Meckson Lorden Nzogela (Tanzanian delegate)

YOUTHS FOR A BETTER FUTURE

“In Ancient times were the world’s youth”, it is now almost 200 years since this statement was made by Sir. Francis Bacon, a famous politician and poet. The question to pose and ask ourselves is,” what about the present time, our own time? ”. Are we the world’s old age, lying helplessly and roaming about doing nothing, or are we the world’s babes, waiting to be fed and be given everything at the smallest cry we make? If indeed the ancient times were the world’s youth, what about we in the present times? What have we done to make an impact? The problem with the present generation youth is that we are too scared of the dark because we have no idea of what the light can do. We are scared of poverty because we have no idea that we are the solution to poverty itself; we are scared of war, because we have no idea that we are the means through which world peace can be achieved.

We are the light. Light cannot shine if it is not switched on; light cannot illuminate if it is not directed where to enlighten. And this light can only be ignited when we bring out and expose our imaginations, dreams, ideas, knowledge, talents and strengths by putting them into actions. This is what makes us who we are. This is what determines what and who we become. Once we expose and put them into actions, we can and we will illuminate the world and make an impact. I believe that what lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

I hereby summon my fellow youths to consciousness today, to wake up and make a change. Fear is only a state of mind, its nothing more that, believe me, the greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do. Forget the past mistakes you made, for anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. With a common vision, aspiration and effort, we can achieve our most desired goal of “changing the world to a better future”. What I firmly believe is that no defeat is final until we stop trying, because we are the captains of our souls and masters of our minds. We can absolutely make it, and even if all else is lost, let us head up because the future still remains. Brothers and sisters, the greatest reward for doing something is the opportunity to do more. And if opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door! Thank you so much for your attention! May God bless the East African Community!