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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr Chibuzo Okereke, has promised to implement a comprehensive and far-reaching agenda for youth development and institutional reforms if elected as President, while declaring that the reforms would fundamentally reposition young Nigerians as drivers of governance and national development.
Dr Okereke made the declaration recently while receiving in audience the leadership of the Forum of National Youth Leaders of All Political Parties in Nigeria (FNYLPPN) as part of the Forum’s Youth Dialogue Series with Presidential Candidates of all the political parties.
The meeting also offered an important departure from conventional political engagements, bringing together the leadership of a multi-party youth platform to engage presidential candidates on policies and aspirations the proposed administration would have for Nigeria’s youth.
Dr Okereke expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Forum for designing the Youth Dialogue Series with Presidential Candidates, describing the initiative as unique.
He said the decision by youth leaders from different political parties to come together to engage presidential candidates demonstrated a high level of patriotism and commitment to national development beyond political and partisan boundaries.
Dr Okereke described the participation of young Nigerians in governance, describing it as a matter that cannot be treated with naivety.
“As a youth, indeed, anything for us without us is against us.”
The Labour Party candidate said the principle should become a major driver of youth inclusion in Nigeria’s governance process.
He, however, submitted that young Nigerians must not be regarded merely as instruments of political mobilisation during elections; rather, he said they should participate directly in the formulation of policies, development programmes, legislation and decisions that determine their present circumstances and prospects.
Meanwhile, Dr Okereke has reiterated his “Nigerians First” vision, which he described as a governing philosophy anchored on placing the Nigerian people before politics.
He said his administration would be guided by the principle that government exists first and foremost to serve citizens and improve their quality of life, rather than to advance narrow political, personal or elite interests.
He promised that Nigeria would be governed with a clear vision under Labour Party leadership, with young Nigerians positioned as drivers of governance and decision-making, rather than being confined to the margins of the political process.
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According to him, his proposed presidency would produce what he described as the greatest governance and institutional reform Nigeria has ever witnessed.
The reforms, he explained, would not be limited to changing individuals in government but would seek to redesign systems, strengthen institutions and establish mechanisms capable of delivering sustainable development and accountable governance.
Additionally, he presented an extensive youth reform agenda covering National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) representation, leadership development, financing, innovation, technology, education, community development, political participation and institutional reform.
He also proposed a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to make it more responsive to contemporary national development needs.
He also proposed the establishment of a Youth Integration Programme, designed to connect organised community youth structures to the local government, state and national levels.
The proposed integrated structure, he said, would provide a more coherent framework through which government could identify, organise, engage and empower young Nigerians from the grassroots upwards.
A major component of his agenda is the proposed establishment of a National Youth Development Council, which he said would have a character similar to that of the National Economic Council.
The Council, he said, would focus specifically on mainstreaming youth development into national planning and driving what he described as a national minimum for youth development in Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the Forum, Barr Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu, highlighted that the Federation of Nigerian Leaders of Political Parties (FNYLPPN) embarked on the dialogue series as part of a deliberate strategy to engage presidential candidates across political parties and understand their respective agendas for Nigerian youths.
According to him, the Forum’s objective was not merely to listen to campaign promises but to strategically engage candidates on the challenges confronting young Nigerians, interrogate their policy positions and seek answers to critical national questions.
Chukwu disclosed that the Forum comprises the youth leaders of 22 political parties, with a membership strength running into several thousands nationwide and a structure extending across the states, local government areas and wards.
He said the breadth of the Forum’s membership gives it a significant national reach and places it in a position to facilitate meaningful conversations on the future of Nigeria’s youthful population.
