Youth of All Nations (a.k.a YOANEA) has enticed the marginalization against youths in a country where youths are almost half of the population. This is against the backdrop of the number of youths present at the Nation Conference.
According to press release jointly signed by Comrade Jeff Echezona Joshua and Mr. Babatunde Ifenuga, “The youths deserve better representation at the National Conference. The number of youths nominated to the confab is grossly inadequate”.
According to Comrade Jeff Echezona Joshua, “for long, the youths have been marginalized in the scheme of things in this nation. Many of our leaders today were in their youths when they became leaders as far back as 20 years, some 30 years and more. Yet, they have refused to quit the stage for the younger generation. We are tired of the cliche, ‘youth are future leader’, which will the future come if the youths are not given the chance to participate in deciding the kind of future they want? Comrade asked.
The youth body wants President Jonathan to reconsider his stance and allow greater youth participation in government. YOANEA agreed that a large number of Nigeria youths are not prepared for leadership. However, several Nigeria youths both home and abroad are contributing to development and growth of this nation Nigeria, Comrade Joshua added.
In the vain, Mr. Babatunde Ifenuga YOANEA President has decried what he called youth relegation. According to Mr. Ifenuga “No one has more stakes in this country than the youths. It is the group whose lives will be affected most by the decision arrived at by the conference. The burden of implementation they will live with hereafter. It is true that the task at the Nation Confab requires expertise and experience to remold the future of Nigeria and the destiny of generations yet unborn. That is why we felt that more youths should have been called to the confab”.
Although, some may say quality decision making is not a factory of number but quality of the representation. However, it is instructive to note that this will not be acceptable as an excuse to deny the youths their rightful place, YOANEA President added.
The body commended Mr. President for nominating youths in Diaspora, Nigeria students and those with disability among others to participate in the National Confab; we believe that the Nigeria Conference is needed to help the nation move forward”.