West Africa ECOWAS Youth Council has charged Youths to shun social vices and urged for more massive participation in politics.
ECOWAS Youth Ambassador and the convener of Youth and democracy summit 2022, Amb. Ishola Rafiu said West Africa (ECOWAS) Youth Council is a region-wide network of young leaders, peacebuilders, and social activists from 16 West African countries, committed to fighting against vices and championing massive youths inclusion in government.
He disclosed this on Saturday in Ilorin Kwara State, at the maiden edition of the Youth and Democracy Summit.
The program which was tagged; Youth and Democracy Summit” targeted at addressing contemporary issues that border on the Theme: “Youth and Sustaining Democracy in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Way Forward” and Sub-Theme: “Nigeria 2023: Roles of Youths in ensuring Free, Fair and Credible Elections.”
The Ambassador reiterated that poverty, ethnic sentiments coupled with bad governance are challenges that hinder the effective participation of Youths in government.
The Amb. expressed appreciations to all honourees at the event for their various services and contributions to humanity which have, in no small measures, been felt by the citizenry.
According to him, electoral violence in Nigeria is a menace and it’s getting rooted in our political terrain in Nigeria, saying, youths are the agents being engaged to perpetuate this diabolical act. He added that this singular act during elections has brought about retrogressive in our political system.
“In light of this, West Africa Youth Council has proposed a campaign on “Youth Against Electoral Violence in Nigeria” that would last from now till 2023 and beyond. We implore all stakeholders to support and collaborate with us to be able to achieve success in this program
Speaking at the event Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal, said Nigerian National Youth Policy 2019, youth in Nigeria includes citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria aged between 18 and 29 years. This is reflected in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a scheme in that only under- 30s can participate.
He said a lot of concerns has been raised by relevant stakeholders as regards the 2019 National Youth Policy, with many questioning why the age bracket classification of 18 – 35 years contained in the 2009 National Youth Policy was changed
By the Nigerian definition of youth, it means that no youth can become a Senator, Governor, or even the President, as the age requirement is above 30 years.
The non-implementation of the policy is another major concern. The same way it is weird for a man to head the Ministry of Women Affairs is equally weird for someone who is not a youth to head the Ministry of Youth. The present Minister of Youth in Nigeria is over 55 years of age, and so it is in many states of the Federation. What of the various youth leaders of our major political parties? The story has always been the same
INEC chairman Professor Mahmud Yakub ably represented by Resident Electoral Commissioner Kwara state, Mallam Attahiru Garba Wada, Speaks on the impart of youth in the electoral process and urged them to continue being friendly
He emphasized the last election of Kwara State and expressed the positive impacts of youth, which made Kwara experience the most peaceful election as of 2019.
Commandant NSCDC, ably represented by Deputy Commandant of Operation, DCC Adetukasi Olubukola, encouraged youth to be resourceful and not to be used as an instrument of violence, especially for the election.
Responding to the interview, Kogi State head of civil service reiterated the potential of youth and how it can influence Nigeria’s politics. Adding that to achieve the set goals in the country, youths must fully take up responsibility.
Chairman of NUJ Kwara state, Lanre Ahmed charged the youth to be focused and determined with a positive mindset so that their youth age will be useful and resourceful
