The British Council, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and stakeholders have called for full engagement of youths in governance.
They made the call during a policy dialogue in Abuja on Tuesday, with the theme: “Youth Perspective for Building and Sustaining a Prosperous Nigeria”.
The dialogue was organized under three British Council programs, Agent for Citizen-driven Transformation (ACT), Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN), and Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC).
The participants stated that since Nigerian youths were often victims and active participants in most violent conflicts, they were critical to finding solutions to various security, economic and other socio-political challenges.
Speaking, the British Council Chief Executive Officer, Scott Macdonald said many young Nigerians had brilliant hopes and towering aspirations.
He added that the council’s programs over the years included increasing the chances of the vulnerable to contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria.
“It is really a joy and privilege to be part of an organization like the British Council, which is making a contribution to the future of Nigeria."
“We are attempting to share our skills and knowledge and in turn learning from Nigeria about the solutions that we can apply to the challenges we face at home in the United Kingdom."
“This is my first visit to Nigeria but British Council has been operating here for nearly 80 years and throughout these years we have connected young people through opportunities and education and various other programs."
“Many of those who have taken part in British Council activities over the years have become leaders in many countries and across Nigeria,” he said.
On security, he stated that the council had worked over the last 25 years with partners to strengthen peace and security in Nigeria.
Macdonald expressed optimism that Nigeria and UK would continue to maintain a cordial relationship.
Contributing, the National Chairman of IPAC, Yabagi Sani, said the youth had the capacity to bring about the needed change in Nigeria is fully involved in governance.
He said with youths accounting for about 70 percent of the Nigerian population, their impact on good and sustainable governance could not be overemphasized.
On poor youth participation in governance, particularly electoral processes, Sani urged them to participate actively in politics.
“Power is never given on a platter of gold, you have to earn it and struggle for it, especially in a capitalist society like ours, because nobody will give it to you for free."
“So, I call on the youth not to relent in vying for political offices and to ensure violence and money for votes,” he said.
He also urged women and persons living with disabilities to make their impact felt in society by not just electing people into positions of authority but vying for positions.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN ) reports that the dialogue attracted participants from various organizations across the country, cutting across the youth, and persons living with disabilities among others.
Meanwhile, discussants gave insight into sub-topics which included the youth perspective for addressing security challenges in Nigeria, youth political apathy, and the future of leadership in Nigeria.
Others are, politically disabled: barriers and factors affecting people with disabilities political life, empowering women for meaningful participation in governance and peacebuilding.
