The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said it would be difficult for financially unstable youths to advance the course of democracy.
He, therefore, stressed the need for the private sector and non-governmental organisations to support the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to empower the Nigerian youths financially.
Gbajabiamila stated this at the opening ceremony of a Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) fellowship programme organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja on Monday.
He said, “A generation of young people struggling to meet their basic financial needs are unlikely to be productive contributors to the advancement of democracy.
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“On the other hand, when young people are engaged in productive economic pursuits that can provide for their needs, they are better positioned to participate in politics and governance from a position of strength.”
He said that was one of the reasons the Tinubu administration was determined to rebuild the foundations of the national economy.
He said it was necessary so that the country would become more attractive to the foreign and local capital needed to build essential public infrastructure, develop new industries, build communities and create sufficient numbers of well-paying jobs.
“When this is done, it will be easier for the government to meet the demands of the large and growing population of young people in our country,” he said.
The Director General of NILDS, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, said the LMI has successfully guided a cohort of promising young Nigerians through an intensive mentorship programme and provided them with the tools, knowledge, and networks necessary to excel in the legislative arena.
He therefore urged the leadership of the National Assembly to provide dedicated funding for this initiative to ensure its long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
“This investment in the future of our democracy will be amply rewarded by the contributions of the LMI’s graduates, who will bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and unwavering commitment to the legislative process,” he said.
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