Youth group demands chance to make change
By Olushola Okewole
The youths under the aegis of Innovative Youth Volunteers in Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, have charged the political leaders to create opportunities for them to take over the leadership at all levels of government for the progress of the society.
This call was made during a webinar discussion organised by the Innovative Youth Volunteers to commemorate the 2020 International Youth Day with the theme ‘Youth Engagement for Global Action’.
According to them, despite their potentials, the youths are being sidelined by the older political leaders from fully participating in politics.
They also complained that the age barrier put on the youths seeking employment is another factor inhibiting them from participating in the economy.
They urged the politicians in Oshodi-Isolo constituency II who are occupying positions in the legislative arm at the local government, state and federal level to sponsor bills that would remove age barrier in seeking employment as it is done in other developed countries.
Responding, the leader of Ejigbo LCDA, Hon. Lanre Akinbowale said the jurisdiction for making the law to remove age limit in seeking employment is beyond the power of the local government, saying that can only be handled by the state and federal law makers.
One of the guest speakers on the programme, Sola Odukoya said youth engagement and involvement in decision making is not majorly about political process, saying it also involves changing the narratives of the process through dialogue, pressure, protest and signing petitions.
“So we are not majorly focusing on being in active politics but influencing the political process, decision making and national objectives,” he said.
The APC Youth Leader, Ejigbo LCDA, Hon. Babajide Ogunmefun emphasized the need for youth involvement, charging the political office holders to facilitate job employment opportunities for the youths, get them into leadership positions and give them support to participate fully in politics.
However, one of the participants, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Abbe said the youths should uphold integrity, noting that most youths are also corrupt and their aim of attaining leadership position is to embezzle money.
She therefore implored the youths to have a rethink and perfect their aims and objectives before going for leadership positions.
Earlier in his opening speech, the Co-Founder of Innovative Youth Volunteers, Mr. Oluwasheunfunmi Adekoya who is the organizer of the event said what is expected of the youths as young leaders is to come together and proffer solutions to the challenges in the country.
“What is expected of us as young leaders across board is to come together at time like this to discuss issues affecting our lives ranging from the outbreak of the pandemic to the economy and to x-ray all the SDG goals that we feel one way or the other needs to be addressed by our government,” he said.
