No one is born a good citizen, no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts itself from its youth severe it’s lifeline. It is condemned to bleed to death” – Kofi Annan
For almost a decade now, the need to integrate youths into the governance system has been much debated and during a certain period became boring. Arguments were structured around chronological and mental age. Youths with penchant and the needed knowledge for effective governance were left hopeless and relegated to the status of praise singers. And it is sequel to this that we want to say congratulations to Nigerians and specifically Nigerian youths, on the passage of second reading of the #NotTooYoungToRun bill at the House of Representatives. The Bill is seeking to lower the constitutional age requirement for contesting for elections in Nigeria.
This bill when passed will be a major milestone in our nation. It will address the marginalization of Nigerian Youths in political participation, make our political system more inclusive, more participatory and thus more democratic.
It is marginalization when we are majority in ‘voting for’ and minority in being voted for. It is marginalization when we have no youth as a major decision maker at the national level. Is it not marginalization when the minister of Youth is not even a youth? What do we call it when we can’t even get youths to fill party positions that are designated for them( Youth leader)?
KOWA party believes that the inclusion of youth in formal politics is important for any nation that wants to move from the rat race to the jet race. This is evident in the make-up of the leadership of the National Youth Caucus where youths, including the National Youth Leader are mostly less than 30 years old.
As a party, we support the idea and the spirit of the bill. We recognize the efforts of the sponsor, Hon. Tony Nwulu and that of the members of the House of Representatives in ensuring the second reading and also the efforts of the young people at YIAGA and LepanNigeria. We urge all legislatures at both lower and higher chamber to support the easy passage of this novel bill.
With this event, KOWA PARTY is sending a strong message to young Nigerians to not just follow up this bill and support it till it is presented to the President for Assent through all the channels available at our disposal – social media, emails, calls and texts to our representatives and much more importantly word of mouth enlightenment to other youths who are not aware so that they can support as well.
We are alsourging the National Youth Caucuses of other political parties to also voice their support for this bill and start creating spaces and opportunities for the younger generation to lead in the same manner that our party is conducive for the young.
“In order to build the next generation of leaders, we must build in young people in the process. We in the National Assembly will give support and ensure the participation of young people in governance. The future of this country lies with young people”
-Senate President, Bukola Saraki
“The cliche that young people are the leaders of tomorrow is no longer enough nor tenable. Young people should be given the opportunity to serve in leadership positions. The young people and women are the excluded majority and this imbalance must be corrected” – Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara
Great leaders should be speaker of words, and doer of deeds.
Signed
Jude ‘Feranmi (JFK)
National Youth Leader
KOWA PARTY.
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