By Etta Michael Bisong
Abuja
Youth for Change Initiative (YCI) has lauded the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, for appointing Princess Dr. Rabi Ibrahim, as the National Coordinator of the Women for Change and Development Initiative (W4CDI) which it said had been demonstrated in the inclusion of youths into her folds to promote development in the country.
Being the first time that women and youths in the country are coming together to canvass for a common cause, the YCI sees this synergy as an extension of motherly love that will enable children contribute to the growth of the family and peace initiative in the country.
The national president of Y4CI, Barrister Umar Magaji, in an interview with journalists during a youth forum organised by RETHINK Nigeria group in Abuja, said the action clearly signifies wisdom and recognition of youth’s contribution to national development.
He said: ‘’I want to assure Dr. Rabi Ibrahim that for her to recognise the fact that youths are important into her own movement, we are going to as good children support and continue working with her to see how we can harness these two objectives together.”
He revealed that the collaboration will also serve as a plus that would help close the existing gap between mothers and their children through constant dialogue and understanding of issues that will foster unity and growth.
Other benefits expected of this integration he highlighted include trust, more inclusion, empowerment and the mobilisation of youths to actualise the first lady’s dream of establishing the W4CDI and as the mama peace of Africa.
“If a mother is empowered and the children are not, the burden of her taking care of them will still be more, he said. ‘’But if both of them are empowered you see that the children will also contribute towards the development of the family.”
The enthusiastic youth leader assured the youth of more empowerment, acceptance, and widespread followership under Princess Rabi Ibrahim led W4CDI and urged them for support to achieve the purpose of the synergy.
Y4CI is a non-governmental coalition of over 95 amalgamated groups in Nigeria and in The Diaspora established to promote youths and students’ inclusion and participation in the various aspects of national development.
