leaders from southern Nigeria have made a strong call for a more sustainable strategy for democratic inclusion of young people in the country's current political process and structure ahead of the 2019 general election.
The call was part of the resolution reached at the “Southern young leaders conference for economic and political consciousness” conference held in Enugu over this weekend.
The conference was attended by over one thousand young leaders from across Southern Nigeria.
The young leaders vowed to critically mobilize ahead of 2019 elections. Photo credit: New Telegraph
The conference annexed the great economic potentials and political gaps/challenges in southern Nigeria, with a view of bringing about a more sustainable strategy for democratic inclusion of young people in the regions that make up the south of the country.
In a communique issued at the end of the conference, the young leaders agreed that there is a need for young leaders and all youth organizations within southern Nigeria to mobilize, synergize and come together in order to achieve a collective future.
They also agreed that “southern governors must come together irrespective of their political affiliations to redefine and rejuvenate economic integration in southern Nigeria.”
Speakers at the event include Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon Luke Onofiok and Bayelsa politician, Moses Siasia. Photo credit: New Telegraph
“The Southern Young Leaders have decided to arise and strengthen the relationship with Rex Tillerson, the United States Secretary of State, who served in southern Nigeria during his days at Exxon Mobile and understands the challenges faced by the region,” the communique said.
“All young leaders from southern Nigeria are hereby put on notice that mobilization would cut across higher institutions, religious establishments, women groups, youth advocacy groups for the collection of Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) and participation in the 2019 election,” the communique informed.
Irresponsible attitude of some young people currently occupying political positions of leadership in southern Nigeria was equally condemned at the conference and further urged the electorates to be more wary of the kind of young leaders they vote for in future elections.
The Southern Young Leaders also collectively agreed to support a mass movement for a new Nigeria, come 2019.
The conference had several speakers including the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon Luke Onofiok; former Bayelsa state governorship candidate and chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, Moses Siasia; immediate past president of Ijaw youth council, Udengs Eradiri amongst others.
Attendance at the conference cut across representatives of all ethnic groups, political divides, state representatives, traditional leaders, religious leaders, student union leaders and young political aspirants from across southern Nigeria.
Nigeria's southern region consists of three sub-regions namely: southeast, southwest and the south-south.
Meanwhile, the chairman, House of Representatives committee on youth development, Honourable Segun Adekola, has accused the federal government of relegating Nigerian youths to the background.
Honourable Adekola made the remarks when a delegation from Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday, February 21, at the National Assembly.
He lamented that for the past three years, nothing tangible has been budget for youth development by the federal government.
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