Let’s open political space for youths – Gbajabiamila

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, says the political class must open up the political space for Nigerian youths who are being excluded in the scheme of things.

He said this on Wednesday at a webinar in commemoration of this year’s International Youth Day organised by his office and the Nigerian Youth Parliament.

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“To achieve this sort of profound transformation of our governance, all of us in government and politics must commit to opening the political space to allow for greater participation by our nation’s youth,” the speaker said.

He said political leaders must act now and consistently to dismantle those practices and systems that exclude young people from political participation or limit them to operating on the fringes as foot soldiers in the battle for spoils.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma said as the hope of the country, the youth should not miss their steps towards nation-building as doing so would spell doom for the country.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, in a statement by his spokesman, Ola Awoniyi, said the youth deserved special attention as a vulnerable group but also as the future of the nation.

“The education, knowledge, technical skills and character of the youth will determine the future conditions and character of the nation.

“Therefore, government must endeavour to create a system that nurtures the talents of the youth and ensures their robust development as they grow into the leadership of the society,” Lawan said.

Also, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, in a statement by his spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, urged all those elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress to renew their people-centred commitment towards a better future under which Nigerian youth can contribute to societal growth.