Nigerian Youths called upon to actively participate on politics
A Non Governemt organisation, Youths Arise for Un-dikuted change has called on Nigerian youths to take their destiny into their hands by participating more actively in politics and governance.
Coordinator of the group Barr. Akharame Izedome Lucky told journalists in Abuja over the weekend that lack of equal access to opportunities and frustration with bad governance have conspired against the emergence of qualified and competent Nigerian youths in politics and governance.
He said that it was not enough for youth to always complain about bad leaders, but that they needed to break the status quo by taking the chance to be elected and create the transformation they needed for a change.
“ The Nigeria youth have a challenge in their hands for the future of our country; this is the tone for them to rise up. They should not sit down and fold your hands and be lamenting over bad leadership or politicians.
” Enough of a political system that accepts the votes of young Nigerians every election year, pay them peanuts as political thugs and consultants during elections, discard them after elections and keep them in the waiting rooms and corridors of government offices for the next four years is not acceptable.
“Our leaders, the older generation and the Nigerian ruling class must come to terms with the fact that in today’s modern world, Nigeria cannot make competitive, real and sustainable development until they begin to acknowledge the role Nigerian youths can play in the leadership of our country.
” The only way to realise this dream is for them to register themselves in political parties and participate fully” he said.
For his part, coordinator, Project Nigeria First Mr. Uche Nwabukwu who also lend his voice to the call said, the youths can only hold their leaders accountable only when they participate fully in politics.
He called on all Nigerians above the age of 18 to get their Permanent Voters Cards, PVC and as well as campaign for good governance.
Also, Barr. Mandy Ikpebe said that the solution to Nigeria problem is not about changing political parties but get a road map where Nigerians will know the direction the country is headed and will be in the next 20 years.
“The problem is not the facts that they should do all this in four years. They should come up with a template to say that this is the way we should go in another 20 years in this country, out then in black and white so that whoever is coming can continue.
“Our government must begin to see Nigerian youths as innovators, business leaders, thinkers, problem solvers and architects of a new Nigeria.
