The West Africa ECOWAS Youth Council has called for more youth representation in governance and policymaking.
Speaking at an event it organized in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital city, the Council’s ambassador, Ishola Rafiu, said the involvement of Nigerian youths in political and policy-making processes was necessary for the government to progress.
The event tagged ‘Youth and Democracy Summit’ was themed: Youths and sustaining democracy in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and wayforward.
He urged youth to be actively involved in governance, sustainability of democracy and fight against vices.
Rafiu identifies poverty, ethnicity sentiment and bad governance as the challenges that hinder effective participation of youth in governance.
He stressed that youth are the agent used to perpetrate electoral violence in Nigeria which has regressed our political system.
He said, “West Africa Youth council has proposed a campaign on youth against electoral violence in Nigeria, which would last from now till 2023 and beyond. We implore all stakeholders to support and collaborate with us so as to be able to achieve success in this program.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof Mahmud Yakubu, represented by Resident Electoral Commissioner, Attahiru Garba, advised youths to join political parties form alliance an alliance with women.
Mrs Hannah Onyinoyi Odiyo, the Kogi State Head of Service, gave the qualities of youths that make them a key pertinent in governance.
She stated that their participation in politics will be a societal formation that will bring a positive change to the nation
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, Hakeem Lawal, speaking virtually from the United Kingdom said youth empowerment and involvement in governance should be given top priority.
He furthered that youths, also, must learn to develop the giver attitude and also seek to be active members of political parties, influencers within the community and party structure.
The event was atemded by The First Lady of Kwara State, Amb Olufolake AbdulRazak represented by represented by Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon Jemila Adamu Baki; HRH, Ishola Muhmini Akogun Balogun Oja; NSCDC representative DCC Adetokasin Olubukola; Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development; Musa Idris; SSA entertainment AbdulRahman Ismail; SSA Youth and Women Mobilisation, Ahmad Ibrahim; SSA Sustainable Development Goal, Sani Hussein among others.