The Nation Newspaper

Tag: youth

  • Youth, women, religious leaders, media call for global peace

    From September 17th to 19th, about 2,000 of representatives from various sectors such as political leaders, faith leaders, women and youth organizations, educators, and media  visited South Korea to attend 2018 HWPL World Peace Summit.

     In an effort to find solutions to achieve sustainable peace, the participants discussed their roles and actionable plans in relation to the enactment of the international law for peace, the development of peace education, the promotion of a culture of peace as well as religious harmony.

     On the last day of the 3-day summit, the host organization, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) held sectoral conferences for members of youth and women organizations, religious leaders, and media.

    The Role of the Youth and Women in Realizing Peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the World

    Organized by International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), an affiliated group of HWPL, the youth session titled ‘The Role of the Youth in Spreading a Culture of Peace for the Realization of World Peace’ had an agenda of the support and the participation of youth for the ‘Peace letter campaign’.

    peace

    <We are one, Chairman of HWPL and youth of IPYG>

    Peace letter campaign is one of the peace projects of IPYG to urge the government to support the implementation of the international law for peace based on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).

     Mr. Herculano Amaral, Coordinator of International Rotary Club of Dili Lafaek in Timor-Leste, introduced the result of the peace letter campaign. “Last year, IPYG members of Timor-Leste Branch met the former president and introduced about HWPL and IPYG’s activities. And this year, our team convey the documents of the DPCW and a peace letter to the cabinet of the president. The movement is intended to get support from the president of our country and also those who involved in the decision making.”

     In particular, this year’s conference also aimed to call for the support for the peaceful reunification on the Korean Peninsula. According to the General Director of IPYG, Mr. Young Min Chung, IPYG has made progress within Korea. The Declaration of Unification of Korea, declared by Chairman of HWPL in 2010, stated the need for the two leaders of Korea to listen to the voices of the Korean citizens. To achieve this, thousands of youths in Korea have written peace letters to President Moon to voice their support for the unification. At the same time, hundreds of political leaders from around the world wrote letters to urge the leader of North Korea to talk to HWPL for the peace of the Korean peninsula.

     

    In the same vein, “2018 Worldwide Women’s Peace Conference” was held by International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) affiliated with HWPL to share the progress of its peace activity such as women’s peace education and plant peace campaign and to discuss the role of women leaders to bring peace in the world as well as to the last divided nation, Korea.

    peace, women

    On the topic of the conference, Former First Lady of Croatia, Dr. Tatjana Josipović said, “The only legitimate and reasonable politics is to search for the permanent peace, without any violence. Women in the creative fields of activities can contribute to the implementation of peace influencing other people to advocate the DPCW to become a binding legal instrument. I think the provisions of the DPCW should be not only a moral obligation but to be binding rules for all world leaders. Our voice must be heard from political institutions, art scene, sports fields, classrooms, and media to warn humanity that we must do everything to stop wars and violence once forever.”

     

    4th International Religious Leaders’ Conference: Spreading the Culture of Seeking a Trustworthy Scripture to Realize the Era of Peace

    World religious leaders from 20 different denominations gathered together to promote the culture of peace among religions and seek for the dedication of faith leaders to realize peace. For this, the members of ‘Solidarity of Religions’ Peace Committee’ were appointed as a role of spreading the culture of seeking a trustworthy scripture.

    peace, religious

    The Most Rev. Wattegama Dhammawasa Nayaka Thero, President of Sri Subodharama International Buddhist Center in Sri Lanka, said, “Even though my place is peaceful right now, we cannot be completely free from conflicts deeply. Religious extremists do not practice their own religion and some hold strongly to their own religious views, hence conflicts and misunderstandings occur due to this discrepancy. Therefore, I could agree the goal of HWPL that we should find out the most trustworthy scripture that can overcome the differences of ideologies among religions to achieve world peace.” stressing the need for the religious harmony based on a trustworthy scripture.

     

    Speaking about the need of the comparative studies of the scripture, Chairman of HWPL said, “Why do people need the scripture? It is because the scripture leads the righteous way for people. Thoughts or wisdom of one’s own can’t be defined as a scripture. At this time, the comparative studies of scripture are the most urgent since it is the definite way for the religions to become one.”

     

    2nd Conference for Global Peace Media Network: International Peace Media Community, “Peace Initiative”

    Journalists and representatives of media outlets from about 30 countries took part in the conference for global peace media network where the peace media platform ‘Peace Initiative (PI)’ launched.

     

    ‘Peace Initiative’ is designed by the ideas of the journalists around the world in order to spread the news of peace and promote peace journalism with protecting the freedom of the press. To forge the cooperative partnership for ‘PI’, participated representatives of media outlets and HWPL signed an MOU.

    peace, media

    Ahead of the addresses from the journalist, Former President of Tunisia and Bishop of Poona diocese delivered the messages on the significance of the role of media to promote peace in the mind of people and the society.

     

    As a special speaker, H.E. Dr. Moncef Marzouki, Former President of Tunisia, emphasized the mission of the media. “As a human rights activist, I know how much I owe to the independent press that has always unveiled the violations of the dictatorship in Tunisia and the Arab world and thus contributed largely to the Arab Spring. Today there is a new mission. In the face of the surge of hatred, rumors and false information that infect social networks, only honest and serious journalists are the guarantors of the truth, which is the essential condition for peace in hearts and minds. I am sure you will live up to the immense task ahead and wish you good luck in this vital mission.”

     

    Mr. Avtandil Otinashvili, Editor in Chief of Newsday in Georgia, said “We journalists should let the whole society know about the peace-building efforts of various sectors of the society. By raising awareness of peace through news reporting, we can stop those innocent people, especially youth from losing their lives in the futility of war. I believe it is our noble duty and responsibility as a journalist.”

    “In this context, I am glad that HWPL and journalists from different countries considered the need to create a ‘Global Peace Media Network’ in order not only to inform the population about the existence of conflicts but also to outline ways to resolve them. We are confident that the content called ‘peaceinitiative.net’ will become the platform that will prepare and disseminate information on the subject of peace, which, in turn, contributes to establishing peace on our planet.” he added.

    The conference concluded that the participants signed “Joint Statement on Media Cooperation for Press Freedom and Global Peace” which contained the mutual assistance and cooperation to foster global peace through sharing peace-related news, to report to help protect human rights as well as democracy, and to take joint action onto inhumane atrocities.

    The host of this summit, Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL participated in each session and delivered his message to the attendees, the peace-builders. “We founded HWPL for the security and peace in the world. However, HWPL cannot achieve world peace and the cessation of war by itself. Power of an individual is merely that of one person. However, if these individuals gather, we can foster great strength. If we abide by the DPCW of 10 articles 38 clauses, we can achieve peace. For this very reason, everyone should acknowledge and promote the DPCW. Let every one of you become one and achieve peace. We are one!”

     

     

  • Anambra opens youth entrepreneurship office

    A youth entrepreneurship office just opened in Anambra State by Governor Willie Obiano has given hope to youths in the state.

    The office is working in conjunction with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

    The idea, according to the Special Assistant to Obiano on Youth Entrepreneurship and state coordinator of NACCIMA, Eloka Maduekwe, is to reduce youth unemployment in the state.

    The office was inaugurated in Nnewi during the 19th anniversary of Nnewi Chamber of the NCCIMA, which was attended by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke, who represented Obiano. NACCIMA youth entrepreneurship focuses on youth development programmes including skills acquisition and economic empowerment.

    Maduekwe told The Nation that with the inauguration of the office, participating Anambra youths stand a chance of benefitting from NACCIMA.

    The youth leader said NACCIMA youth entrepreneurship will liaise with Government to assist youths in entrepreneurship skills.

    This, according to him, would equally ensure that youths acquire self-sustaining skills, rather than job hunting.

    Obiano in his speech presented by his deputy, Dr Okeke, sadi Nnewi Chamber of commerce needs steady power supply to boost the ever growing businesses in the area.

    He said Anambra and the federal government were working hand in hand to make sure the dream becomes a reality. He said the chamber was the biggest Chamber of commerce in Nigeria, adding that the state government would give it all necessary assistance for it to succeed.

    While presenting his speech, former president of NCCIMA, Mr Linus Ilozue said the chamber had already secured a massive land for its permanent office.

    He mentioned power supply as the greatest problem confronting it, while giving kudos to the Minister of Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola for taking the sector to a greater height since his assumption of office.

    He said the chamber was in constant consultation with the Minister on how to get it right for the people of Nnewi.

    Speaking with The Nation, the new president of NCCIMA, Ifeanyi Uzodike said his executive was ready to achieve more for the chamber with the cooperation of the members.

  • 2019 election: Cleric counsels youth against political thuggery

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, a non-governmental organisation, Humanitarian Voluntary Association for Community Development (HUVACOD), has advised Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used as weapons in the hands of politicians.  Speaking at a lecture put together by HUVACOD in Lagos on Friday, the guest speaker Dr AbdulHakeem Lateef, who is the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, enjoined youths to be agents of good change while giving support to constituted authority.

    Delivering his talk on the theme, ‘Politics and Islam’, to commemorate the Ramadam period, Lateef noted that youths have a role to play towards establishing good governance and leadership. “I want to enjoin all to support the leadership of the day because leaders are made only by God and come 2019, come out and participate fully in the electioneering process not as thugs but as peaceful change agents.

    “We see the youth as leaders of tomorrow, hence the reason this organisation always targets them in our programmes. They are an integral part of governance at all levels. Before the 2015 general elections, we organised a similar forum, where youths were taught how to be a part of excellent electoral conduct devoid of violence and malpractices,” Kareem added.

    The well-attended programme had in attendance representatives of Surulere LG chairman, Hon. Tajudeen Ajide, House Leader, House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, and Lagos House of Assembly Surulere Constituency 1 rep, Hon. Desmond Eliot, market leaders, religions leaders and prominent politicians in Surulere. The organisation organises voluntary work camp, environmental management, youth volunteer corps training, community development, traffic control volunteer, disaster rescue management and good governance training.

     

  • Ending the youth exodus

    In my estimation, out of every 10 young Nigerians, eight of them are thinking of how to exit the country. I don’t know if there is a record of the number of young people leaving the country on a daily basis. But the desperation is real. The desperation to “escape” to a land where they think their dreams will be fulfilled is what has emboldened many to embark on risky adventures. Not too long ago, the whole world was shocked at what was going on in Libya slave camps where young people were auctioned like commodities.

    It is perplexing that Africa, a continent with the world’s youngest population is not doing enough to harness its tremendous asset. Its brightest brains hardly find the atmosphere or the necessary support system to unleash their potential.

    Just recently, a friend of mine sent me a piece of news about a Nigerian doctor, Professor Olutoye Oluyinka, who along with his partner, successfully carried out an operation on a foetus – a feat that has been celebrated across local and international media.  As I savoured the piece with delight, a question crossed my mind. “If this man had stayed back in Nigeria after studying medicine at the Obafemi Awolowo University in 1988, would he have achieved this feat?” You know the answer based on the reality on ground. There are so many geniuses that never had the opportunity to travel out and expectedly have not been able to do anything spectacular. This is not just about Nigeria, but about Africa as a whole.

    As a youth enthusiast, I have interacted with so many young people and the feeling is almost mutual. They feel their potential cannot be maximized in Nigeria. This is almost the situation across Africa – young, talented people with stupendous potential striving to travel out of their countries. If this ugly situation persists, our future would be dry and bereft of innovators, talents and geniuses.  Now, the pertinent question: What fuels the exodus of youths?

    On reasons why young people desperately seek to leave their countries, a professor of New York University and expert in Latin American politics and culture, Alejandro Velasco gives some critical insights: “One of the major reasons is the lack of prospects and the lack of jobs and the lack of confidence that things are going to change; a lack of hope about the future domestically,”.

    For me, this captures the genesis behind this exodus.

    In the coming decades, the exodus of youths will explode if our leaders refuse to take concrete steps. The onus is on the government to give strong reasons to our youths to stay in the country and convince those who have prospered overseas to come back home to add value. How can we have our own people coming up with inventions, performing feats and touching lives positively in other countries while our own country is in dire need of their expertise?

    Bad governance is a reason why young people leave. Who does not want to live in a system that works effectively? Basic social amenities such as water supply, electricity, roads, housing, recreational facilities, social welfare and the likes are still somewhat luxuries. That is why the news media is awash with encomiums whenever a governor is spending taxes paid by citizens to build roads and bridges. We are not yet used to good governance, we are overly impressed when we see a governor or commissioner who is development-driven and determined to make a difference. It is high time Nigerian leaders at every level provided good governance. Good governance reflects in the standard of living of the citizens and in the speed of development.

    Lack of confidence that things are going to change is a critical factor. Most of the young people I have interacted with have this sense of helplessness and hopelessness when they talk about the possibility of Nigeria changing for better. The current administration rode to power with the change mantra. Nigerians want a positive change, they have great expectations.

    The body language of the Nigerian government hardly shows that it appreciates the value of human potential. We are regarded as the most populous black nation on earth. The question is this, how have we harnessed the potential of our people? How much is invested in education? What is the quality of our graduates compared to graduates in the developed countries? Do we have equipped laboratories?

    Based on a report prepared by Mercy Corps, Nigeria has the largest number of children who are out of school in the world — 10.5 million. Good governance helps unleash, not undermine, the potential of her people. The education sector needs urgent attention from primary to tertiary. Funding is one big issue. Our curricula need to be reviewed across board. Particularly, the ugly trend of strikes must be stopped. There is hardly a year when teachers/lecturers don’t go on strike and what is ridiculous is that the burning issues that triggered the strike action hardly get resolved. A four-year course of study in a typical Nigerian university, for example, can take six years to be completed. This situation has made many parents send their children to study overseas or ensure they get admitted in a private university.

    Unemployment is a global phenomenon but every country has to figure out how to resolve it at their end. In Nigeria, there are so many mineral resources that could have been cultivated and developed into industries. From time, we have had farsighted leaders. Just imagine the thousands of jobs that would have been created by these industries. When are we going to have visionary leaders with the tenacity and political will to maximize the resources nature has endowed us with? The economy will be revved up when steel, limestone, uranium, columbite, tin, coal, bitumen, kaolin and the likes are cultivated and harnessed into exportable products. More foreign exchange would come in and the naira will experience a significant rise in stature. Unemployment rate can be drastically reduced if those in the corridors of power do the needful.

    At the moment, there is no exciting Nigerian dream that any young person can believe in and weave his or her aspirations around. Level of patriotism is awfully low and it is difficult to find any youth that would refuse the opportunity to relocate to a developed nation with a high standard of living and better opportunities. Elections are around the corner. Young people of voting age should use their demographic advantage to vote in honest and visionary leaders that can move the country forward and help youths unleash their potential.

  • Diamond Bank backs youth entrepreneurship

    Diamond Bank Plc has promised to support youths and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) through the National Youth Service Corps Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (NYSC SAED) initiative.

    The bank’s Head of Sales, Mrs. Ogechi Altraide, said Diamond Bank understands that the youth constitute about 60 per cent of the nation’s population and are the driving force of the economy.

    She said the NYSC SAED initiative was borne out of the bank’s passion for grooming young entrepreneurs who would become employers and future business leaders.

    She added that Diamond Bank is doing a lot to ease the pains of the young graduates in job search, which was why it created the first-ever Curriculum Vitae (CV) bank, which allows young graduate to upload their CVs into a digital bank where employers could easily assess the documents for employment.

    She urged the corps members to take advantage of the bank’s entrepreneurship grooming platforms, SAED and Building Enterpreneurs Today  (BET), to acquire the necessary skills to build a business career.

    A past winner of the BET programme, Mr. Abiodun Folawiyome, said: “The edge I have in business is as a result of the training and funding I got from the Diamond Bank’s full scholarship to Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), which fortified me for the task ahead.’’

    He urged corps members to tap into the SAED programme  to weather the tough business terrain.

    The NYSC State Coordinator, Prince Mohammed Momoh,   praised Diamond Bank for its effort in training and supporting young businesses and entrepreneurs.

    He charged the corps members to participate in the training to ensure that they benefit from it.

  • Youth and defence of impunity

    Youth and defence of impunity

    There is no doubt that we live in a country where youths tolerate impunity with sympathy. Apart from the obvious fact that ours is also a clime where money equates success; it is also a place where the misuse of power is better appreciated by the youth even when actions taken are not in conformity with their will and pride. It is very possible to enthrone a king; it is not possible to reign for the king.

    The reign of a king in his palace has reduced the palace to a mere edifice and not a kingdom in spirit. This is evident by the impunity that has been swaggered into what they tagged as the ‘change governance’ in Nigeria.

    ‘Terrible’ is the situation at hand, treachery is what Nigerians in some part of the country have been forced to go through, but more terrible is what the youths have done to themselves. When our youths know better, they would do better in things that favour them only. I have come across youths, who took pride in the recent body language of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration on the lingering issue of the massive killing of Nigerians in Benue State by the herdsmen. The state governor had made it known that 1,878 persons were killed between 2013 and 2016. In the same period, 750 were maimed, 200 missing and 99,427 households were affected with property worth billions destroyed. Over hundred persons had been killed in wake of recent attack in Benue State. To make the situation worse, similar killings are being perpetrated in other parts of the country.

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Association is a new phenomenon in the rise of ethnic chauvinism that has no regards for the law. The killings orchestrated by the herdsmen showed they are well trained, well paid, well organised and well armed to stand as army of invasion and wage war against a nation. As grievous as the herdsmen attacks on farmers were, it seems to be nothing to the government a mere clash that poses no security threat to security. What a leadership! This is truly a ‘change government’ indeed.

    President Buhari has failed woefully to stand up in defense of Nigerians by not declaring the group a terrorist organisation nor proscribe it. The action of the president is not only treacherous but cantankerous. The president, from a detailed news research, had only deemed it fit to talk about the menace of the herdsmen as just a mere clash between herders and farmers. At another occasion, the president trivialised his stance by saying that the perpetrators were not Nigerians but armed foreigners from Mali and Libya who have infiltrated the local herdsmen community.

    To worsen the matter at hand, just barely 48 hours after the mass burial for the 73 victims of the recent herdsmen attack, the Vice President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Association threatened more bloodshed if, according to him, the Benue State government did not scrap their Anti-Grazing Law. This is nothing but impunity. A group threatening bloodshed publicly and the government is smiling at such impunity. Well, it is no coincidence that the president is Fulani. The murderous herdsmen may have been emboldened by this and thought they have all the rights to kill and get away with murder. What stops the president from ordering the immediate arrest of the leaders of the herdsmen threatening the peace and security of our country?

    The activities of the herdsmen have attracted widespread condemnation by various organisations yet the group is being pampered by the government. By implication, it shows a tacit official approval of organised killings. The National Assembly also showed great concern. The legislative arm had given a resolution that every state in Nigeria has the right to enact their anti-grazing law. This law, if enacted, would curb excesses of the herdsmen. I am aware Buhari had instructed the Inspector-General of Police to tactically relocate to Benue and Zamfara states. This step does not guarantee that the evils perpetrated in Benue and other affected states would stop anytime soon. The president would have done more good by declaring the group has a terrorist group which is obvious from their actions.

    I know it does not cost the government anything to wage full war against the herdsmen. The leadership of this nation is not just bad but excruciatingly bad, especially as far as this herdsmen issue is concerned. The annoying part of this is that the youths are not lending their voices to force the government to do the needful. One could rarely see the major social media influencers talk about the issue. This is bad. It goes to show that most of the vibrant youths on social media are beneficiaries of the present government and as thus, they prefer to remain silent. They have failed to use their media power to ensure or compel the government to do the needful.

    I remember vividly that it was the uproar of youths on social media that made the Inspector General of Police to make effort in ending the various shed of brutality perpetrated by men of SARS nationwide. They were lots of condemnation by the youth and this influenced the restructuring of the unit.

    If the so-called influencers can put the government on its toes on issues affecting them directly, why not do same on issues affecting their constituencies. I guess their assignment is only to abuse and trend facts that are meant to unseat leaders of the past which they achieved.

    It is time for the social media influencers to embrace the fate of the dark hour and ensure they put the president on his toes as they did to the immediate past president. It is high time they stopped giving defense to the impunity created by the herdsmen by not advocating against the silence of the president. Funny enough, we know the social media influencers and their individual roles. History will judge their actions if they fail to lift their constituency for good.

     

     

  • Ijaw youth factions clash over IYC leadership

    Ijaw youth factions clash over IYC leadership

    Two factions of Ijaw youths clashed yesterday over the authentic leadership of Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide (IYC).

    Pereotubo Oweilami, who leads a faction, asked his counterpart, Mr. Eric Omare, to stop parading himself as president of IYC.

    In a statement by the faction’s spokesman, Daniel Dasimaka, the group said the Ijaw nation as well as Ijaw youths knew Oweilami as their president.

    But Omare in a statement said: “I, Eric Omare, is the legitimate president of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide elected in accordance with the Constitution of the IYC at Burutu, Delta State on March 1. Any other person parading himself is just acting out of impunity, which must stop.”

    He said he emerged as IYC president through an election conducted at Burutu in accordance with the IYC constitution and established electoral practice and procedure.

    “I was elected on March 1 at Burutu. But on March 6, they went to Okirika to set up another electoral committee to conduct another election. My election was supervised by the former president, Udengs Eradiri.

    “When they set up another electoral committee five days after my election, I went to court to stop the election. Then, they came to court and agreed that they would not conduct another election. But in April, they held another election.

    “Within the period, they filed a case that I should not parade myself, but they didn’t follow up the case and it was struck out. The case I filed challenging their legitimacy is still in court. Who is the impostor?

    “If the case I filed against them is still in court, what is their basis for referring to me as an impostor?

    Omare said on March 15 when some former leaders and stakeholders of IYC went to Okrika in Rivers State to hold a convention and set up an electoral committee to conduct election on April 9, the tenure of the Udengs-led exco had finished.

    He said based on the constitution and following the judgment of the court, which confirmed that the three-year tenure of the Udengs-led executive expired on March 2, a new leadership was expected to take over on that date.

    “Therefore, at the time the Okrika parallel convention took place, the tenure of the Udengs-led exco had expired; hence aggrieved members of the Udengs-led exco had no power whatsoever to call for a parallel convention”.

    But Dasimaka said Omare had no right to parade himself as IYC president.

    He said: “The attention of IYC has been called to the activities of former spokesman of the council, Eric Omare, who goes about parading himself to the unsuspecting public as the president of IYC.

  • Group blames youth unrest on food scarcity

    Suliman Arigbaba, Executive Secretary, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre, a non-governmental organisation, has blamed youth agitations partly on food scarcity in the country.

    Arigbaba who spoke with The Nation in Lagos also observed that a greater number of the youths in the African sub-region were involved in crimes ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery and other vicious crimes chiefly due to insufficient food in the land.

    He spoke on the sideline of the just concluded 2017 World Food day rally organised by the agency on the theme ‘Change the Future of Migration, Invest in Food Security and Rural Development.”

    He said: “The youths are hungry, no hope for tomorrow and when hungry they are hungry life becomes meaningless to them, and malnutrition becomes the order of the day.”

    According to him, the whole idea of this year 2017 commemoration is to take stock about the situation of food in the globe.

    “Our young able bodied men and women; people who should stay here and develop Africa are dying in the Sahara desert because they want to cross over to Europe to get what to eat. The youths are migrating in droves because they have seen that our government at all levels are not genuinely committed to agricultural development” adding the old people who constitute over 70 per cent of the producers of our food needs today are not being taken care of.

    Arigbaba who expressed dissatisfaction at the low rate of budgetary allocation to agriculture in Nigeria, said contrary to the Maputo declaration of 2003 which according to him stated that Nigeria as a signatory to the declaration ought to allocate at least 10 per cent of her yearly budget to agriculture.

    He however, commended the federal government’s ongoing free food for school children, adding when there is good food for everybody there is the tendency they will be healthier.

  • Agenda for youth and women in governance

    SIR: The problem of inequality amongst youth and women in governance can be traced to the poor representation of these groups in leadership positions.  This has created a large number of youth unemployment, poor representation of women and youth issues in policies and lack of gender and social inclusion in decision making process. Neglecting gender based issues has a linkage to casualties suffered by youth, people living with disability and women especially the high incidence of maternal and child mortality.

    The role of women and youth has been restricted by political parties to be mere mobilizers and voters.  As a result, there is a large generation of un-tapped resourceful population of youth and women.

    During election, the youth plays the role of political thugs, serving the interest of the ruling class.  They are compensated with jobs at the motor parks to work either as bus conductors, taxi or keke Napep drivers, and transport union touts.  The vast majority of unemployed youths can be found at home as willing tool for political, ethnic and religious agitations.  Women are organized into group and given stipends of salt, rice, wrappers and head ties in exchange of their votes.

    The not-too-young–to-run bill initiative was proposed to address some of the highlighted issues above; it sought for a constitutional provision to make youth of youthful age run for elective positions.  To support the effort made so far on the bill there is need for youth and women group to begin to mobilize and take active participation in the electoral process. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the total population of Nigeria is 193 million as at 2016 growth figures and the population growth by age from 18 years to 40 years is above 65million. In 2015, INEC recorded 75 million registered voters. Using these figures as a basis, if 65 million Nigerian youths come under an organized platform and vote for their interest during election, they could form the government of Nigeria and change the negative narrative faced by youth, women and the vulnerable group.

    A practical way to achieve the above might require forming a youth and women-based political party with sound progressive and developmental ideology that is set out to address issues of social inequality amongst women, youth and the vulnerable group. The political party should create an agenda that will proffer solution to the myriads of problems in Nigeria.  It should have a manifesto that contains an agenda for income distribution, youth employment, sect oral growth, creativity and innovation, poverty eradication, economy and job creation, improving maternal and child mortality, industrialization, palliatives for the aged,  technology, entertainment and sports, improving the plights of the disabled and physically challenge. The agendas shall be structured in line with best global practice that can compete with developed economies in the world.

    Such a party must make use of its first eleven as representatives in all elective positions. The positions should reflect equal representation of women, youth, and people living with disability.  Proven competence and reflection of federal character should form basis for the selection of candidates for any of the elective post.  Above all, the structure for internal party democracy, accountability, transparency and discipline should be the hallmark of the party.

    While we respectfully recognize the role our fathers and mothers who currently occupy elective offices have played in Nigeria, there is need for them to handover willingly to the youth and young women who are the real nation builders.  This might be an impossible task to ask for, but it will become possible if the youth organize themselves and get it through the ballot boxes.

     

    • Victor Emejuiwe,

    Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.

  • Delta youth body alleges marginalisation of lsoko nation

    The umbrella body of lsoko youth groups, Isoko National Youth Assembly, at the weekend, lamented ‘’the gross marginalisation’’ of the Isoko nation by successive governments and multi-national companies.

    Speaking at a news conference in Aradhe, Isoko North Local Government Area, its national president, Comrade Ovie Omuakpo, said Isoko nation was backward in all spheres of life.

    He said: “The Federal Government should open talks with Isoko elders and youth leaders, with a view to enrolling into the Amnesty programme, and discard the notion that communities can only benefit only when they take to violent or strong agitation.

    “As a youth group, we embarked on massive campaigns to discourage our youth from violence as a means for development.

    ‘’We also condemned the poor maintenance of oil facilities owned by Nigeria Petroleum Development Company that led to spillage at Ogini flow station recently.

    “We give NPDC the next few weeks to clean up the oil spillage in Ogini flow station or be ready to face the wrath of the Isoko nation as they may have no other option than to shut down its operations on Isoko land.

    “OML 30 ,which covers 1,095 Sqkm and 11 oil fields with Isoko communities making up 60 per cent, is of concern to Isoko nation, and we were shocked that the Community Development Board (CDB), constituted by Heritage Energy, the operator, was lopsided and does not reflect the true position of equities of the resources being contributed to the setup as no one from the Isoko extraction is at the managerial cadre.”