Mr. Bukola Idowu, a policy analyst and good governance advocate has made it known that the youths must take take their rightful place in the polity of things in Osun state.
Mr. Bukola, who is the Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiatives- a Nongovernmental organization that works on youth development and policy advocacy in Osun state, made it known in a release made available to the press today in their corporate headquarters, Osogbo.
He said “Osun state is one the few States with large population of youth in the country, owing to the large amount of Higher Institutions in the State, apart from the indigenous youth organizations. But in spite of the teaming youth population, the State has not fully tapped the potentials of youth towards the development of the State. Although there had been different Youth Empowerment Programmes by past Administrations but none have been able to reckon with the development strategy of Youth empowerment in the 21st century.”
“Kimpact Development Initiative is using this medium to call on the youth in the State to rise and take their rightful place in the polity of things in the state. As the Osun 2018 Governorship election is drawing closer, it is important for the Youth in the State to know that real empowerment goes far beyond Politicians donating okada, grinding machine, power generating set etc. to them. The Youth in the state should rise and demand real empowerment and accountability from the government and those aspiring to be the governor, come September 22nd 2018 election.”
“While we are letting the Youth know that the power of the 21st century liberation and thorough development lies within them, they should also know that in the coming election, their importance is more than just pasting posters, dancing around at rallies and becoming violent tools in the hands of the politicians. There is a need for them to get involved in the electoral process of the State by going out to register at the ongoing continuous voter’s registration and also to collect their PVCs.”
The seasoned youth advocate also encourage youth with content and character to also come out and contest in this coming election. He said “there was recently a statement accredited to the former Governor of the State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola where he spoke about his support for a younger person governing the State. We also support this idea and we say, that is the way to go. We call on all political parties to allow youth have a fair play in the party politics and should also support the aspiration of the young people who want to govern the state.”
He urge the National Assembly to expedite action on the constitution amendment and pass the same to the President. He also call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the #nottooyoungtorun bill, to enable the political space to be opened for more youth participation towards the 2019 general election.
