Why youth must participate in electoral, governance processes -Businessman

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

Nigerian youths have been challenged to participate in Nigeria’s electoral and governance processes, as sitting on the sidelines would not solve the socioeconomic and political challenges that have been responsible for the country’s slow pace of development.

Chief Henry Ifeanyichukwu Njoku, Chief Executive Officer of Harritex Group, gave the charge in Abuja, at a conference organised by the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN).

The theme of the event was ‘Securing our future: The role of Nigerian youths in curbing social vices and building a safe, prosperous nation.’

The conference, which was attended by representatives of security and intelligence agencies, youth and student groups, among others, had presentations of papers and other discussions on how to enhance youth empowerment in Nigeria.

Chief Njoku, in his presentation, noted that Nigeria was blessed with enormous human and natural resources, but that like many other growing societies, the country has challenges like insecurity, unemployment, drug abuse, cultism, cybercrime, and social unrest.

“Sadly, the brunt of these challenges fall heavily on the youth who make up over 60 per cent of the country’s population. A nation with such a demographic advantage should be thriving. But what do we see? Many of our young people are disillusioned, frustrated, or even angry. Hence, many have gone into crime.

“Social vices such as cultism, internet fraud, drug abuse, banditry, are simply the symptoms of a deeper national illness: a breakdown in values, a collapse of mentorship, and a lack of inclusive economic opportunities,” he said.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who was represented at the event, appreciated YAN for its commitment to the cause of building Nigeria.

YAN Speaker, Famuyibo Oluwasegun, in his speech, noted that the theme of the conference was not only timely, but critical in the collective national discourse.

“It reflects a transition that demands that we, the youth, move beyond rhetoric to responsibility, beyond lamentation to leadership, and beyond side-lines to centre stage in shaping the future of our country which stands at a crossroads.