Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, has urged youths in the state to be more involved in political process in the interest of the state and Nigeria at large.
Olatubosun made the call during the 4th Oyo State Youth Summit, held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, on Saturday.
According to him, with preparations for 2023 elections already afoot, youths have a huge role to play in changing the narrative of leadership across the country by entrenching the needed shift across board.
Olatunbosun said that the present administration in the state, led by Gov. Seyi Makinde, was committed to building youths with good characters.
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“We indeed call on you to be part of the politics in the state. Get your permanent voter cards and act,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Seun Fakorede, stressed the need for youths to embrace the reality of life and improve themselves in all spheres of life.
He noted that giving the youth chance at every level of governance and leadership was not enough, but that they should equip themselves with the knowledge needed to perform in every position they found themselves.
“Our country is drifting today due to poor leadership. Therefore, we, as youths, must equip ourselves with the needed knowledge, so that when we get to these positions, we will perform differently.
“The only reason you can come on stage is because you have been equipped to lead,” he said.
Fakorede implored youths to be ready to use their voting strength to make the necessary change in the nation, stressing that they must not only engage in complaining but be fully involved.
The Guest Lecturer, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke, opined that youths must be supported to wake up and rise to the challenges, against all odds.
He called on governments at all levels to ensure that youths got the needed education, vocational experience in entrepreneurship and political exposure that would groom them into assuming good leadership roles.
“Groom our youths into assuming good leadership roles without playing errand boys. With such, Nigerian youths will be able to shape and chart the right cause for the free and independent Africa of our dream,” he said.
In his speech, Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Mutiu Agboke, challenged youths to get their PVCs in order to enact their desired change in the coming elections.
While calling on them to fight for their place in the Nigerian polity, he said that they should demand for a reasonable percentage of positions in government to achieve the desired change.
Agboke decried the rate at which youths wasted their time on social media, rather than working hard to effect changes in the polity.
