…As Group Advises Youth To Resist Inducement

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Youth Empowerment Solutions Project Initiative (YES) has urged youths to resist politicians’ inducement ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The Executive Director of the group, Mr Oche Precious, made the call in an interview with newsmen last Monday in Abuja.
Precious also urged youths not to be politicians whimp for violence because they had a greater responsibility now, especially with the enactment of the Not-Young-To-Run law.
He said that with the law, the stage was set for youths to vie for elective positions and participate more actively in Nigeria’s democratic process as enshrined in the constitution.
“I use this opportunity to urge Nigerian youths to eschew violence or actions that could lead to conflict, especially during this period of preparation for the 2019 elections.
“Youths should not be part of those heating up the polity or be used as instruments of violence and bloodshed in the hands of those who do not mean well for Nigeria.
“For a long time now, a lot of politicians have viewed youths as tools for violence which they could employ to achieve selfish political gains.
“It is time for our youths, therefore, to do What is right and resist any attempt by politicians to get them into taking actions that can lead to breach of peace and law and heighten insecurity.”
Precious said that youths were faced with many challenges, especially unemployment which, if addressed, would lead to productivity rather than vices.
He said that youth needed safe spaces where they could participate in decision-making processes and contribute meaningfully to the democratic process that engender good governance, equity, justice and respect for human rights.
He said that they needed the space to freely express themselves, where they could maximise their potential and opportunities and where they could dream and pursue their dreams to the point of actualisation.
Previous noted that youths constitute the majority of Nigeria’s estimated 200 million population, adding that the 2019 elections was an opportunity for them to exercise their civic power.