30% YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA
According to the United Nations (UN) definition of youths, youths are those between 15 -24 years of age. Looking at the National youth Policy document ; it defines a youth as those ranging from the ages of 18 -35. One question that has continued to bother me is who is truly and who are does classified as the Nigerian youths?
The youths are of course the engine for sustainable democracy and economic stability, therefore, Any nation that denies it's youth the needed environment to participate towards nation building does so at its risk. The Nigerian youth are energetic, vibrant, articulate, idealistic, pragmatic, dogged and savvy in technology. The youth of nigerian state in this era if given the opportunity can change the fortunes of the country through creativity and commitment towards improving the economy of our dear country. The youth of Nigeria should be encouraged to handle leadership positions(18-35), they should be given the chance to actualize their dreams and aspiration as young people as it is done in most developed Nations and developing Nations as well.
From statistic and from the analysis of the last elections, the youth of Nigeria across the various states, Cross River, lagos, kano, Rivers, imo, kaduna, jigawa etc just to mention but a few played significant role during the elections. Many Nigerian youths in the country held series of meeting on the way forward towards building a greater Nigeria. Meetings were held in Abuja, Calabar, Lagos etc and many other parts of Nigeria and across the globe. The young people of Nigeria didn't sleep, the youths are now more informed than in the last decades and beyond.
Our People must begin to look towards the direction of the youths (18-35). This class of persons should be considered for appointment in the State. It may please us to know that the swedish Minister of Health is 29 years of age. Can that happen in Nigerian State in this present era? No! It can not. In 1983, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba was 27 and he was the Commissioner of Works, in 1992, Senator Liyel Imoke was 30, he was elected a Senator. Former Governor Donald Duke was Commissioner of Finance at the age of 30, Amb M. T. Mbu was Nigeria's High Commissioner to the UK at the age of 19 . All these happened 2 decades ago. Can it happen again? I doubt if it can happen. Only recently MARK OKOYE'S name was forwarded to the Anambra state house of assembly as one of those the governor intends to work with as a commissioner only to be rejected and jettisoned by the house.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of blessed memory once said, "If you want to know the future of any nation, take a look at what the youths are presently doing". If our elites and political class do not offer the youths the enabling environment to contribute their (our) quota, they may become nuisance and turn into rebellious elements in the society.
In order to further promote the Nigerian youth, a lot needs to be done by the current administration, both at the centre state and local level. A lot needs to be done towards reduction in unemployment. We need to enact policies that will put our youths on top. Both the State and Local governments in Nigeria, there need to establish youth vocational empowerment programmes to develop the youths of the State skills based jobs.
Our institutions need to be upgraded to meet international standard. From the primary school to the tertiary level, our children need to be taught on vocational education, information technology, craft etc.
In order for the Nigerian youths to be carried along, they must shun greed, desperation, poverty of the mind, and stand as a catalyst for change towards building the Nigerian State. It is unfortunate that our youths do not take initiatives, they do not take steps that will enhance their livelihood. For the Nigerian youths to be considered in government, they must take responsibility at all times and constantly prove to the establishment that they are capable and willing to contribute towards the growth of the Nigerian state.. We shall continue to demand for at least 30% youth involvement in governance. Enough of marginalization of the Nigerian youths and the fallacy that youths are the future of tomorrow.. Because is best if we put it that the youths re the future of Now (TODAY). God bless Nigerian youths, long live the federal Republic of Nigeria.
George Moore.
Public Affairs Analyst/Political Analyst.
Abuja Nigeria.
