2023: Youths urged to play active roles in politics

By Ifeoma Ikem

Stakeholders and youth leaders have called on Nigerian youths to wake up to their responsibilities and get involved in politics, if they want to see positive changes in the country, as the future of the nation depends on them.

The stakeholders made the call at the 2nd,a day Political Symposium held in Ijede Local Government Council Secretariat Ikorodu, Lagos, with the theme; Free and Fair Election; The Roles of Youth in Politics.

Prince Sodiq Afinah, a Senior Registrar Lagos State University said that the programme which was organized by Ijede /Egbin youth forum was to sensitise the community on the need for youths to be properly tutored, educated and involved in the process of administration.

“People will tell you that politics is a dirty game, I don’t want to get involved, I don’t want to tarnish my image and trample on my integrity.

“No! politic is something very vital that all must be involved in, it is a process of electing those that will govern and administer our affairs so whoever we elect will be the one to determine the rate of development in our community.

“The world is now a global community where one can make an impact any where in the world, so the youth must be involved in electing those that will be our leader, it’s not by force, it is a strategic process”, he added.

He said that some of the steps the youths can take include to first get registered in a political party of his or her choice at grassroot level.

“Attend meetings so that they can make their own meaningful contributions, also get registered for PVCs because no matter how vibrant and knowledgeable you are, if you don’t vote that means you can’t elect those that will lead you in the state”.

He pointed out that it’s no longer a situation where touts take over and scare people away during elections but that people’s votes will definitely count because there is a new change so everyone should be encouraged.

“We are the electorates, we are going to determine those who will lead us, let us not be afraid of anything, just do your part at the polling boot, they would want to scare and discourage us but let’s make sure we maintain our stand and wait till the end so we can count our votes before we leave.

He advised the youths to make sure they vote the right candidates that have the interest of the masses at heart.

Another Speaker, princess Khafila Hassan, the chairman ICAN Ikorodu branch, described politics as the activities involved in creating and using power to take decisions concerning the country and taking the country to a better position.

According to her, we cannot separate governance from politics because they walk together.

” For us to get a healthy nation, we have to still pass through the grassroot levels to ensure a healthy nation which starts with us and how we elect leaders into positions at all tiers of government.

“Fortunately, we are getting towards another year where we would decide who becomes our leaders, so let’s be involved and not leave it to those who are manipulating the processes.

“Let’s elect leaders who we are sure of their profiles and electing the right persons into leadership positions as only then will lives be secured.

” Only then will we have good electricity and companies that will create employment for the youths because they are a lot of graduates roaming around the streets now.

“it would also fix our health centers and borders which is another major problem causing insecurity in our nation thereby making our country a dumping ground for unwholesome products,” she added.

She said that security should be the major priority of government so that everyone would be free from danger and have freedom from fear.

“Government should ensure that power sectors are functioning and the issues of bad governance addressed.

“I will advice Nigerians especially the youths to be involved in the selection processes of our leaders, we have to vote and come out as well to be voted for”.

Comrade Matti Olakunle of the stakeholders in youth forum of Ijede said that one of the roles youth can play to have a better society is what the Ijede Egbin youths forum is doing currently.

” We are sensitizing people on their role in elections, calling facilitators to come and enlighten and also encourage them to get their PVC because it’s through this PVC that they can express themselves during the general election in 2023.

“We should not allow ourselves to be used and induced with money because during elections some politician will give N1000 and steal your future.

“These N1000 -N2000 and other items are nothing but a Greek gift that they will use to steal one’s progress and development.

“I will plead to the youths to shun violence and participate actively in votes and to defend their votes to ensure that they elect a candidate who has a record of integrity that will provide infrastructure and social values which the society need.

He pleaded with the youths to elect people with impeccable characters and integrity that will lead the society.

” If the politics is right, the society will be right, if it’s wrong in it’s administration what you get out of it will be wrong.

“I wish the Ijede youth forum success especially the leaders, they have been doing wonderfully well, defending the interest of the youth and the community, I can acknowledge that and bear witness and I pray that God will continue to support them”.

Mr Bashir Saminu, another speaker said the youths should show commitment to change the narrative of the present happenings in the nation.

Saminu charged the youths to take drastic steps in doing the right thing, as much could be achieved if they do the right thing at the right time.

“Bad governance is one of the causes of poverty, if there be good governance the rate of poverty will definitely reduced in our country”.

He urged the youths to identify the right person with integrity who is seeking political office not someone trying to influence or beg for vote from the electorate after the election they will enrich themselves and their families.

” Instead of campaigning for what they would do, they prefer to give inducement, money and food items to influence people to vote for them.

“The money which could have been used for good roads and other things are all now diverting to personal gains,” he said

“Get your PVC as a weapon do not wait until the day of election

“If I am rich, you are rich then who will I give money to, they won’t be able to use anyone for their own selfish gains it’s called social function,” he added

The coordinator of Ijede Egbin youth, Prince Olumide Musediq said that the purpose of the event was to educate, re-orient the people especially the youths on their rights to vote and also how people will make their votes count.

Musediq pointed out that many people no longer believe In the voting system but that if this kind of orientation is going on in each states, the youths will believe and have ideas with a change of mindsets thereby making them to partake legitimately in election processes.

“I will use this opportunity to call on Nigerian youths to take serious steps towards full participation in political and electoral processes in order to change the current situation of the country.

“Also my message is an appeal for all youths to be mindful, watchful and careful. We are expecting a better youth in our community.

” Gone are the days when youths believe that if they don’t add violence, they will not have their means of sustaining themselves, with this programme, we are going to have a better youth, many were touched and impacted including me.