Victor EzejaThe role of young people in governance in Nigeria has once again been recognized, as President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated his Chief of Staff and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to ensure that all ministers and heads of agencies include young people with requisite skills and experience in all boards and committees of the Federal Government.
The President who gave the directive on Friday in Abuja while receiving members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Lobby Group, said young people’s inclusion in governance would encourage learning and mentoring in government and politics.
The President directed the SGF to submit a report on the inclusion of young people on boards and committees that are yet to be constituted, next month.
He further asked the Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, and the SGF to ensure monthly engagements with the APC Youth Lobby group for better synergy and cross-pollination of ideas and opportunities.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari urged both senior government officials to explore the establishment of a Committee of young people to form the monitoring and evaluation team of ongoing Federal Government projects across the country.
He said the committee would provide feedback that will enable his government to hold public office holders and those given responsibility to account.
The President also welcomed the idea of the establishment of a Presidential Committee on Youth in liaison with the youth leader, requesting the SGF and the Chief of Staff to work out the modalities for its operationalization.
President Buhari told the APC Youth Lobby Group led by Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed that the leadership of the party would ensure full participation of young people at all levels.
”I will also support the aspirations of credible and committed young people who are vying for positions in the upcoming convention.
”It is also in our interest to ensure the longevity of our party by standardizing and institutionalizing the leadership recruitment system. Hard working and exemplary individuals should be identified and encouraged and mentored.
”It should be a deliberate policy of the progressives in ensuring that we have a robust succession plan in place,” Buhari stated.
Commending members of the APC National Youth Lobby group for the work they are doing for the party, the President said:
”You are not begging, but negotiating, staking a claim and seeking to add value, which is admirable.”
He urged them to help the party achieve a successful Convention on February 26, 2022 and in subsequent elections in Ekiti and Osun States.
The Nigerian leader declared that APC must be made attractive for younger people to continuously take ownership of it because that is the future, and ”that is what progress means.”
Expressing support for the establishment of the Progressive Institute for the party, the President said:
”The party must have an Institute where its ethos, character and mantra are inculcated in our members. I will rely on you to share the concept note for further action.”
The President, who endorsed the 2021 APC Youth Conference Report presented to him, assured the Group that the recommendations in the report that are within his own remit would be given favourable consideration.
He also promised to encourage the leadership of the states and the party to implement the recommendations of the report for the benefit of young progressives.
The APC Youth leader thanked the president for sending a powerful delegation to the Progressive Youth Conference in June 2021, stating that such a gesture demonstrated that the present government believes in young people.
Ahmed said, “’Mr President, young people in Nigeria believe in your capacity and the history of your public service.
“You have demonstrated through your personal example, the integrity that very few people have had the opportunity to demonstrate in the country.”
On the forthcoming APC convention, the youth leader appealed to the President to continue to speak for the young people especially when they are not there to speak for themselves.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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