Concerned with the future of the present Nigerian youth, the
Yoruba Youth Socio-cultural Association (YYSA) has decried the inadequate representation of youth at various strata of government in the country at it rued the used and dump of youth by political leaders in Nigeria.
Rising from its national meeting in Ibadan at the weekend, YYSA expressed the concern, saying any society which fails to factor in young people can not build next generation of leaders.
In the communiqué issued after the national meeting and signed by its Deputy Director of publicity Comrade Hamzat Abass Ayodeji, the Yoruba youth association called on the National Assembly to hasten the passage of pro-youth bill so that the portion which excluded young people from being voted for into some elective positions untill they are above 30 years would be amended.
In order to build the next generation of leaders, we must build in young people in the process. Both the executive and legislative arm of government should give youth the needed support and ensure their involvement in government and governance. The future of this country lies with young people.” He said
Continuing, General Yakubu Gowon mounted the saddle of leadership at age 32 years. The military leaders who came after him like Muritala Muhammad and Olusegun Obasanjo were in their thirties when they ruled Nigeria. Even Nigeria current President Muhammadu Buhari was in his thirties when he served as a governor in Borno State.
But unfortunately, when we look at the level of inclusion of youth interms of appointing people into various political positions at MDAs in the present administration, the youth between the age bracket 18 to 40 years constitute just one percent while the remaining ninety nine percent range between the age 50 to 85 years. Should we say that President Buhari’s administration is youth friendly? Youth are not just electioneering device because our leaders remember youth only during electioneering and we must collectively put an end to that. God bless Nigeria”! He concluded.
On the issue of local government autonomy, YYSA expressed its displeasure on how the the state governors have rendered the local councils ineffective.
Claiming that the governors are hindering development at grass root level, the group recalled that gone are the days when there were motorable roads in the rural areas and that made it very easy for farmers to transport agricultural products to nearby cities unlike nowadays when state governor give priority to “trunk A” roads which they would construct and later claim double amount spent on it from federal government.
“Local government autonomy makes the government accessible to the people and aid faster development. But nowadays, the local council cannot just embark on project because they had been shortchanged”, they added.
YYSA however enjoins the National Assembly to also give priority to the amendment of local government bill to guarantee local government autonomy.
