Leveraging on Youths Demographics for Good Governance - Babatunde Tiamiyu

A key Note Address by Dr. Babatunde Tiamiyu, General Manager, Pensioners` 106.7, Agbarigo, Onireke, Ibadan, at the 2022 National/Africa Youth Week Celebration, Held at Jubilee Hall,Yejide Girls Grammar School, Molete, Ibadan.

Protocols

Recent studies have shown that Nigeria has the highest population of youths in the world. Scholars such as A. I Akinyemi and J.W. Mobolaji (2022) stated that the size and youthfulness of the population offer great potential to expand Nigeria's capacity as the regional economic hub of Africa and globally.  

While this is achievable, the high demographics of youths, if not properly harnessed, can mar the progress of the nation, going by poor social structures and unimpressive human development index currently being experienced. As opinion leaders and technocrats have continued to stress how important it is for youths to be creative, remain focused and be resilient,  

the present realities have posed strains on the creative development of the Nigerian youths for a better country. 

The belief that development issues and policy design can only be handled by elders, has deprived Nigerian youths from engaging in governance, and underestimated the potential of Nigerian youths for so many years. Government functionaries at all levels of power have failed in acknowledging the powers of the youths and this has led to mass protests and unwanton destruction of lives, properties and public infrastructure. An example that readily comes to mind is the 2020 End SARS protest which saw the massive mobilisation of youths across Nigeria. 

The struggle for relevance and recognition 

by Nigerian youths is not limited to the physical space.  The online world, occasioned by easy access to the Internet, had empowered the youths and given then the voice they had longed for through trend engagements, hashtags and information sharing and distribution.  These engagements have translated to activism to champion good governance, especially as the country is brazing for the 2023 General Election.  

Good Governance can be achieved if youth inclusiveness is constructively prioritised according to United Nations recommendations and World Youth Alliance Declaration.  

Every young person has the responsibility to build a free and just society, founded upon the dignity of the human person which is the foundation of every human 

right. These responsibilities include but not limited to working towards contributing to common good of every member of the society which rises from a person's free and deliberate choice to pursue something beyond himself both for his own benefit and for the benefit of the larger society. 

It is fitting to note that the responsibility of every person at all levels of society to work on solidarity for the protection of human dignity, is the basis of good governance.  Good Governance entails the just use of power to create conditions for unity and trust and to inspire in the governed, the desire to contribute to the common good. Also, good governance includes the rule of law, transparency and accountability, as well as free expression and participation.  

Therefore, if Nigeria wants to leverage on youths’ demographics for good governance, it is recommended that: 

1) The Nigerian government should TRULY recognise the fact that youths account for a major chunk of the country's population, 

2) Concerted efforts should be made towards the provision of sustainable infrastructure that will aid the development of the youth's potential in the country. This includes: Overhauling the country's education system; creation of job opportunities and ensuring a business-friendly environment for youths to creatively deploy their skills towards building sustainable businesses that will compete favourably with other businesses across the globe. 

3) Free and fair active participation of 

youths in politics should be encouraged such that a level playing field would be provided for everyone to participate in politics without any fears of discrimination and intimidation.  

When these and other measures are put in place, the bright potential of Nigerian youths will be properly harnessed for good governance. Also, for us to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams, it is expedient for Nigerian youths to truly believe in Nigeria and work towards making the country viable for everyone.

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YOU WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES IF OBI IS NOT THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA - AFENIFERE LEADER

"As you already know, I am already 94 years old. I will be enjoying in my grave soon and you will suffer, particularly the youths of this nation if you fail to vote for peter Obi. We know what we are saying. It is not everything we can talk about in the public" 

Like a thief, in the night, Tinubu made attempts to bribe some for endorsement. But he failed 

The Obi-Datti choice has no money to spend, but they will spend ideas. 

Let Nigerians take up their thinking cap, forget ethnicity and vote for the Labour Party. Obi is the right man for the country.”

-Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

(Afenifere leader warns, Nigerians, especially the youths)

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Igbo Youth Organizations Pledge Support to EFCC in Enugu

A group of youth organisations in the Southeast comprising the National Association of Nigerian Student, NANS, National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Youths, today September 17, 2021 pledged their support for the fight against economic and financial crimes in the southeast region. They made the pledge during a visit to the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC.

The leader of the delegation and Vice president of the NYCN, Comrade Innocent Nduanya, who thanked the Zonal Commander, Oshodi Johnson for receiving them at short notice, said the groups were in Enugu to deliberate on issues affecting the welfare of youths in the south east and thought it wise to visit the EFCC to pledge their support. “You are a young man like us and one of our own. We are well meaning Nigerian youths who hate corruption and are trying our best to see that it ends in Nigeria. Our reason for coming to Enugu is to deliberate on issues pertaining to the welfare of the youths in the South east,” he said.

Comrade Darlington Ugwuegbe, the State Secretary of NYCN and coordinator of NANS zone B as well as convener of the GBURUS CARE Initiative, reiterated the groups’ willingness to fight corruption and other social vices in the Southeast. “I am at the forefront of moral rejuvenation among youths. I believe that the youths must know that corruption will lead the nation nowhere. We are law abiding citizens. We hate fraud and related offences and can never be party to it,” he said.

The Zonal Commander, Oshodi Johnson, thanked the groups for embracing the fight against economic and financial crimes. “On behalf of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, I want to appreciate you for coming to see us this evening. I see your passion in trying to see that corruption is reduced to its lowest in your lifetime. I congratulate you on your integrity because it takes an innocent person to boldly visit the EFCC. You are representing the conscience of your people and I want to thank you for your willingness to own this anti-corruption fight. Indeed if we allow corruption to keep gaining grounds in our nation today, there will be no sane society to bequeath to our children,” Oshodi said.

He urged the delegates to key into the whistle blowing policy of the Federal Government as a means of checking corruption, assuring them that their identities would be protected.

By EFCC

EFCC Charges Corps Members Against Corruption

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on August 20, 2021 called on Youth Corps’ members to promote popular participation in the fight against corruption.

The call was made by the Head, Public Affairs Department, Makurdi Zonal Command of the EFCC, Adeniran Adebayo, during an enlightenment and sensitization campaign on the role of youth in fighting corruption at the Benue State University, Makurdi.

He said the enlightenment campaign was to engender public ownership of the fight against corruption and urged participants to desist from all forms of internet fraud.

“Corruption remains the bane of the country’s development and no country can develop when corruption is entrenched in every facet of its life,” he said.

He further called on the youths to join hands with EFCC in the fight against corruption and to enlighten the society on the effects of corruption “If Nigeria as a country must be great, it must be free from corruption and the youth must be willing to be a part of that change.”

Student Union President of the University, Comrade Sooheemba Aker Agatha commended the EFCC in its efforts to rid the society of corruption.

In his welcome address, the President of Anti-Corruption CDS Group, Ayero Oloruntoba Samson said the BSU Campus sensitization campaign was designed to provide an interactive platform to sensitize and encourage students of tertiary institutions to shun all forms of financial crimes.

Embrace Discipline, shun all forms of criminality, EFCC Charges Youths/Teenagers

The Benin Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Muhtar Bello on Friday August 13, 2021 charged youths and teenagers to embrace discipline and shun all forms of criminality.

The Zonal Commander stated this while speaking to a group of youths and teenagers under the aegis of Royal Ambassadors, Calvary Baptist Church, NIFOR, near Benin City.

The Zonal Commander who was represented by Williams Oseghale, Head, Public Affairs Department, Benin Zonal Command urged the youths and teenagers to embrace hardwork, discipline and uphold the right values.

He warned them to avoid peer pressure as it was capable of derailing their destinies. "I urge you to stay away from bad influence. Don't derail your destiny by associating with people who engages in social vices. Let no friend or colleague tell you that there is a short cut to success. Determination and hardwork are the only way to success. Stay away from cybercrimes and internet fraud. Yahoo yahoo is not a sustainable way of life." he said.

Agho Lucky Uhunama, president of the group thanked the Commission for the enlightenment campaign which he said has equipped them for the future. "Now we are aware of what constitutes financial and economic crimes. We will hold onto what we have heard."

By EFCC

Ooni Of Ife: Nigerian Youths Are Neglected, Hungry and Therefore Angry, Let Us Listen To Them And Solve Their Problems

The Arole Oduduwa, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II Ooni of Ife, has reiterated the fact that the insecurity challenge in the country is premised on the fact that the youths are neglected and in deprivation which is culminating in restlessness and agitation. 

The Ooni in his goodwill message intoned that Nigeria’s foundation was wrong. He emphasized the inclusion of Nigerian youths in the system to help salvage the country.

“As traditional rulers, they are the most active in our system. Let us tell ourselves the truth, they are hungry and they are angry. I repeat: they are hungry and they are very angry.’’ He said

 “Our dear country Nigeria is the binding force for each and every one of us here today. We don’t have any other place. The nation belongs to all of us. We are here talking. 

 “In our dear country that has brought all of us together here, the youngest serving governor is only 46 years old. And we all know the demography of this country. 

“The demography of this country is above 50 all the way to the age of dependency is less than 30 per cent. But between the age of 18 and under 40, we have them in numbers of more than 70 per cent. And we are talking about security here. 

 “Who are the active participants whenever we have a breakdown of law and order? It is the average age of 18 and 39, and that is the truth. Are they ghosts? Are they invisible? The answer is no. They are human beings. “But every time we are talking the talk, the Number 2 man, Number 3 man, Number 4 man, they are all saying the same thing the way His Eminence said it. And the participants are not faceless; they are not ghosts. It is very idiotic and stupid for us to be doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. We will continue to get the same results. 

“Let us be very truthful and honest to ourselves in this country, we all know the problems. How well are we carrying along with these people in that age bracket? Who is representing that age bracket in this hall? The answer is no one. We are not engaging them at all. But whenever we want to go for political posts and appointments, we go back to them. We know the good, the bad, and the ugly in their category. 

“As traditional rulers, they are the most active in our system. Let us tell ourselves the truth, they are hungry and they are angry. I repeat: they are hungry and they are very angry. All of us that are here, I will be very happy if anybody can raise up their hand and say ‘I can go to my constituency, my local government area, and I can stay there in peace for one week.’ Who can do it here? Including our gatekeepers, who can do it here? Including the Senate President, including the Speaker. 

“But you left the traditional rulers; you left district heads, the baales to continue to stay there. And you are saying all will be well in this country. We are the ones facing these youths; we know their problems and we have been talking every time. You sit in beautiful offices and you all think all will be well? Let us be very truthful in this country. Look at this beautiful building; as beautiful as this building is, if the foundation is wrong, the entire building will collapse because the foundation has a problem. 

“In this gathering, the Senate President mentioned the key factor – the collapse of local government. It has collapsed. Let us be very truthful to ourselves, it has collapsed completely. That is the only arm of government that is the foundation of this country; you don’t have any other foundation. We are only building on a castle that has completely broken down. That is the foundation that will gather the most active age bracket for you in this country. You say we have 774 local governments and several wards. Where do we have the wards being put together? 

“It is under the local government’s constituency. They are underfunded; you don’t even reference them for anything; you don’t even care about their administration. Where did we get it wrong in this country? We all have faults – all of us here. If we keep talking, we will not get any results. It is getting worse. 

“They are getting more emboldened. They are not very bold and they are ready to face anybody because they are hungry and they are angry. Let us change our strategy. Let us change our style. You leave this age bracket. If there will be problems, you give them guns to start to move around. You will never see anybody above our age in our comfort zone here that is really ready to face the music. 

“It is very important for all of us to know that we are not all safe; we are not safe at all. Let us engage a lot of youth organisations that are very relevant; that understand the local government administration and governance within every district and locality of this country. It is very important for us to continue to engage them in every programme we do in this country. You have neglected that category completely. In the hall we are right now, you have neglected them because they are not represented here; they are not at all. So, what are we going to come out here to talk about? And that is our foundation. It is our foundation. 

“We should be very serious in this country. We should talk very seriously. This issue of security is not the problem of the service chiefs; it is not the problem of the lawmakers; it is not the problem of the executive arm of government; it is a problem of all of us. 

“How many of this active population that is under you that you are taking care of? What is the essence of you being a politician that you cannot even move around freely? You cannot! Do you think only Abuja is Nigeria? Or Lagos? Thirty-six states of this country, people are there and you left them. You abandoned them. And you are making laws and administering. What are you administering? I do not know. 

“So, let us talk to ourselves very seriously. The people that are not ghosts; these people that are agitating left and right, we need to engage them. We need to actually engage them and separate the corn from the chaff. We know the good and the bad amongst them. 

“We can easily separate them by engaging them. Draw them closer. If we engage the people that are active, it will be a lot easier for us. On this note, I want to thank the organisers and I want to tell is that enough of talking the talk, let us walk the talk”, he said.

Unprofessional and institutional misconduct by EFCC will be heavily resisted - Osun Protesting Youths Say

An ancient Haitian quote says, "smoke never rises without fire". Thereby it will be grossly unfair and nothing but mischievous misrepresentation to have that our protest is deliberately aimed to cause violence or disrupt public peace. 

According to the protesting youths, "It has become imperative to note, that the people of Osun State, particularly the youths have suffered great injustice, victimisation and organised or state orchestrated attacks by security operatives particularly the Economic Financial Crime Commissions (EFCC). 

"It is public knowledge, that agents of the Economic Financial Crime Commissions EFCC, have annexed or mirrored the oppressive dexterity of the notorious SARS as they have continually prey and extorted the vulnerable youngsters of the state. These officers have heavily deviated from their constitutional roles, as the manner of indiscriminate arrest, extortion arbitrary detention et al, have been consistently increasing. Many of these dirty and irresponsible acts are carried out on mere suspicion and on assumption that every successful youth is criminally minded, and are automatically guilty of extortion, arbitrary arrest and brutality. And these have formed the smokes that is making our fire. "

"This unprofessional and institutional misconduct will be heavily resisted. "

"The hypocrisy and irresponsibility of this agency is loud enough, as those who are the real criminals are well known to the people. Those who have misappropriated funds meant for workers' salary and welfare, funds meant for pensioneers, those who have mismanaged and looted public wealth and subject the people to economic hardship, through imposition of senseless taxes on commercial buses, bikers what-have-you, hence, subjecting even school children to unspeakable agony in accessing their places of learning due to this callous and insensitive hikes. We hereby reject all the inconsiderate policies and the burdensome levy, taxation etc and call for immediate reversal of transportation fares of korope buses so that our brothers and sisters can have access to their elementary and secondary education without stress."

"It is a pity that in the midst of the economic downcast and the current harsh financial situations facing most indegenes of Osun state as a result of the crippled commercial activities due to the pandemic, and the sheer wickedness of the State government to provide palliatives and adequately pay the Osun State workers their well deserving wages; has also contributed greatly to the agitations of concern youths of the state."

"We also wish to condemn and rebuke the claims that the actors of our peaceful agitations are internet fraudsters who want to escape justice or prevent the security operatives to perform its duties. We are law biding citizens of the country and we demand that law must be adequately followed and properly engaged in the dispensation or execution of duties."

"Lastly, we demand that all unprofessional elements in EFCC uniform be withdrawn from our streets and from mounting unwarranted road blocks as unsolicited visits of these elements will be continually and unrelentlessly resisted." The Youth Protesters said.