Group Decries Youth’s Ratio In Governance

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Initiative for Dialogue and Development (IDD), has decried the ratio of young persons in governance in the country, saying it is unjust and anti-development.
The group, in a communiqué at the end of its Assembly in Abuja last Wednesday, said the youth’s, low presence in government was at all levels and described it as unbalanced, non-inclusive and unacceptable.
The communiqué was signed by IDD’s Chairman, Dr Ike Neliaku and  Project Coordinator, Youths Exchange, Dialogue Assembly, Ms Ruqayya Ibrahim.
The group said that the assembly, which had “Nigeria Tomorrow’’ as theme, was convened to deepen the democratic process through civic education, citizen engagement, volunteers and youth participation in governance. It demanded a re-structuring in the country targeted at greater inclusion of youths in governance.
It expressed support for the “Not-too-young-to-run” Bill currently before the National Assembly.
“We wish to affirm that `Not-too-Young-to-Run’ is the legislation we seek and `Not-too-Young-to-Lead’ is our advocacy tool for engagement.
“We recognise that youths are in need of requisite skills, information and knowledge to participate in greater numbers in nation-building efforts.
“A `Replacement Generation’ with competitive edge that will make the nation relevant in the 21st Century needs the right platforms for informed decision- making and participation in the political process.’’
The group pointed out that youths as the prime and essential population in Nigeria, would require leadership training, value re-orientation and responsible mentorship from credible, patriotic and visionary leaders in private and public sectors.
It said that Nigerian youths needed steadfastness and commitment to new and inclusive political paradigms and a cross-cultural perspective that sought “unity and not uniformity, working towards one nation under God”.