Just like yesterday when President Muhammadu Buhari sent the list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening in his first term, the race towards who forms Buhari’s cabinet for the second term in office has begun.
The last cabinet featured experienced politicians and former governors. Among these were no youths. Even the then Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, was not a youth.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian youths, within the age group of 18 to 35 years, constitute the highest population of voters with over 22 million students.
Bearing in mind the fact that the 51.11 per cent of youth were registered for the 2019 poll as well as President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the Not Too Young to Rule Bill, it is fair that he appoint youth as ministers and to other sensitive positions.
Moreover, youth actively participated in the just concluded 2019 elections either as contestants or mobilisation officers for political parties. There are youths who are excelling in their various fields.
Everybody has roles to play in the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy and youths should be seen as active players. Therefore, it is time for Buhari to engage youths to contribute their quota to the development of the country. Meanwhile, it is also imperative to charge youths to also be ready to contribute their quota towards the development of the nation and shun acts that will portray the country in bad light.
Olamiposi Ishola; [email protected]
