It’s more sensible to learn from history than experience – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has tasked young people to learn from history rather than repeat it or allow it to jeopardise a better future.

Osinbajo gave the charge at a youth forum in Monrovia, Liberia where he was welcomed by the Liberian President, George Weah, his deputy and different Liberian groups, who also decorated him with traditional recognitions and awards.

According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, Osinbajo was first received by President Weah, who held talks with him and welcomed him to the West African nation, expressing appreciation for the one-day visit.

The Vice President was the Special Guest of Honour at a youth forum to mark the 60th birthday of the Liberian Vice President, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor. 

Later at the youth forum with the theme: “Conversation with the Vice President and Young People,” Dr. Howard-Taylor, described her Nigerian counterpart as a humble and selfless leader who inspires hope for a better Africa.

Commending Osinbajo, Dr. Howard-Taylor said, “he is the most humble politician in Africa” and noted that emerging leaders across the continent have so much to learn from his humility and commitment to service.

The Vice President was honoured with an award of Distinguished Service to Humanity – for his exemplary service to the development of Nigeria, Liberia, West Africa, and the rest of the continent – by Liberian youths, about 400 of whom were part of the event.

Presenting the award plaque to the VP, the co-host of the event and youth activist, Mr. Benjamin Sanvee, said the award was in appreciation of “all your service, everything that you have done and will continue to do.”

Fielding questions earlier during the conversation with Liberian youths, Vice President Osinbajo spoke on learning from past experiences.

According to him: “Every sensible person learns from history rather than from experience, because if you wait to learn from experience, you will suffer. What you are supposed to do with history and your past, is to learn from it and never let it repeat itself.

“One of the most important things for young people is that you must bear in mind all the time that your history is not your destiny, it is just part of your story. Your destiny is what you have decided, where you are going and you will get there as long as you don’t allow the tyrant and oppressor of history to hold you back.”

Encouraging the young people in the hall, the VP urged them to leverage opportunities offered by emerging technologies to improve themselves educationally and economically, noting that the benefits of technological innovations are numerous.