NYCN: Oladele Nihi Makes Case for Minister for Youth Devt

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…appeals to President Buhari to declare state of emergency in education sector.

President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Oladele Nihi has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a youth between 18 and 35 years as Minister for Youths and Sport Development.

Nihi made the appeal during a joint press briefing by African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) and NYCN in Abuja on Friday.

He demanded that the Federal government declare state of emergency in the education sector to arrest the current downward slide.

Nihi announced that the council is set to lobby National Assembly for the sponsorship of a bill that will make NYCN a creation of parliament.

“First of all, let me on behalf of the over 75 million young people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on their re-election. Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate the newly elected President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawal; Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker, House of Representative and indeed the entire leadership of the 9th National Assembly.

“In our opinion, their emergence as heads of the Executive and Legislative arms of government holds the promise of harmonious and successful federal government operations in Nigeria.

“You will doubtlessly recall that under the first term administration of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR and the 8th National Assembly, the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ Bill was passed by the legislators and signed into law by Mr. President. As a direct consequence of this new law, we have seen a well enhanced number of young Nigerians, emerging from the last general elections in Nigeria, into public political leadership; particularly, in the legislative arms of the federal and state governments.

“Today, we have 31 year old as Speaker, Zamfara State House of Assembly; 32 year old as Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly; 33 year old as Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly and 34 year old as Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly.Consequently, it is the thinking of the leaderships of African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) in Nigeria and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) that the manifest first-lap successes of the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Law be further consolidated by deliberate youth political participation policies at both the state and federal levels.

“As you are well aware, a core objective of the entire ‘Not Too Young To Run’ movement is to orchestrate the direct hands-on practical mentorship and succession-activation of future leadership by incumbent leadership.

“It is on this note that, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) is proposing for President Muhammadu Buhari the following as he commences his 2nd term that a youth (18-35year) be appointed as Minister for Youths and Sport Development. Also, that the Ministers of State (Junior Ministers) be reserved for youths between the age of 18-35 years.

“We also demand that a state of emergency be declared in the education sector in Nigeria for better and more functional education. Also, we appeal to Mr. President to launch an aggressive fight against unemployment through infrastructural development, federal government support/funding for existing and creation of new acquisition centres, sustain the ongoing N-Power and other social welfare programmes for Nigerian youths.

“We are also appealing to the 9th National assembly especially her leadership to see the executive arm of government as partners in the development of Nigeria even as they maintain the constitutional provision for separation and take their oversight function more seriously than ever before.

“Specifically, we are requesting the following from the 9th NASS: The Creation of NYCN as an act of parliament. It will interest you to know that as at today, NYCN which is the umbrella body of all youths and youth organisations in Nigeria is still operating as an NGO. More budgetary provision for the education sector in Nigeria. Increase budgeting for youth ministry and youth intervention programs. Juicy committee head for young legislators at both chambers,” he said.


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