Group seeks more youths participation in politics

Winners of the youth empowerment Essay/ Debate project Q1 2018, organised by the Association for Credible Leadership in Nigeria (ACLN) have been unveiled at an award ceremony which held in Lagos.

The competition which focused on Youth Participation in Nigerian politics and governance brought together students of private and government owned secondary schools in Lagos State.

Speaking at the award ceremony, ACLN Country President, Olurotimi Ibiyode said that the project was aimed at building right values in the Nigerian youths from tender age and helping them see Nigeria in a positive light from a tender age when their value system is yet being built.

“As a group, we are poised to making a change in Nigeria and there is no better place to start than within the four walls of our educational system because we believe strongly that it is within these four walls that the future of our Nation is being determined.”

Ibiyode further stated that the Association was formed in 2015 in order to bring Nigerians together to advocate for good governance and promote leadership.

“ACLN seeks to advocate for a new Nigeria, governed by leaders who are trustworthy, competent and patriotic. We also hope to promote leadership values through education and empowerment programs which is why we have chosen this project.”

Ibiyode further noted that ACLN wishes to unveil the full version of the project in the coming months across Nigeria, adding that the association has decided to institute an ACLN Ambassador Club in each school that participated in the debate in which members will have access to its affiliates programmes in Nigeria and around the world.

According to Prince Adefowoju Adewale, ACLN Global President in a statement, “the ACLN Youth Empowerment Essay/Debate Competition is a project aimed at addressing some key issues that are hindering the progress of our nation which if not urgently addressed are capable of destroying us as a people.”

Adewale observed that over the years, Nigeria has gradually degenerated into a society where hard work, integrity and accountability is no more celebrated and not worth living for.

“The Nigerian political terrain has marred the thinking of the people as becoming a politician has been seen as avenue to amass wealth and not to serve one’s nation.

Religion has also been embraced in a wrong manner which has inadvertently encouraged laziness instead of hard work,” adding the aim of the group was to change that mindset.