From: Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin-City
A group, under the umbrella body of Youth Takeover Initiative, on Thursday, urged Nigerian youth to utilise their numerical strength to bring about political leaders with the interest of the country at heart in 2019.
This was contained in a communique issued and signed by it president, Amienye Omorogie and its secretary, Francis Madugu, and made available to newsmen at the end of a one day delegates meeting held in Benin-City.
The statement said it is noted that youth being about 70 percent of the total voting population, can take over the governance of the country if they take advantage of their numerical strength to vote whom they believe can effectively represent the interest of the masses rather than self aggrandisement.
The group also said that youths should rededicate themselves to the task of wrestling power from old forces who have continued to show lack of direction, vision and patriotism.
It, however, enjoined the Nigerian youth to take up active role in any of the registered political parties in the country where they must see themselves as an ambassador of these initiative.
The communique further said its resolved was without prejudice to effort that would be made to collaborate with all persons irrespective of their age provided always that such persons are disposed towards given support to the realisation of objectives.
Earlier, delivering a lecture on the theme: “Youth Take Over, Prospect and Challenges” the guest speaker, Barr. Ogieriakhi Osa said for the youth to take over the leadership of the country, they should be interested in who has been fielded to contest in an election by various political parties in the country.
He, however, blamed successive governments for their insensitivity in the well being of the youth.
On his part, convener and President, Youth Takeover Initiative, Mr. Omorogie Amienye said the group is poised to put an end to recycled political elites through the ballot; by voting for youthful candidates.
According to him, when the “Not Too Young To Run” bill is finally passed into law, it would help put those who have been ruling the country right from Independence till date and pave way for the younger ones to come in.