Programme Officer, Yiaga Africa, Olaniyan Sanusi, has called for increased youth inclusion in politics to obtain dividends of democracy.
Sanusi made this call during the inauguration of ‘Not too young to run’ hub at the Gombe State University.
Our correspondent reports that Yiaga Africa organised the hub inauguration with support from Open Society Foundation.
He said, “We are at Gombe State University to establish, ‘GSU Not too young to run hub’.
“These hubs are been established in tertiary institutions across the country. We have such hubs in Lagos varsities, we were in Yola to do a similar thing among others.
“This is geared towards promoting youth interest in politics. It’s aimed at changing the political culture in Nigeria; sensitising young people on the need to participate as well.”
On the reason for the special consideration of tertiary institution, Sanusi described campuses as melting point, adding “They are from different background and we want to leverage on that as the melting point. The school is a safe space. Not too young to run is non partisan.”
Also speaking, Public Relations Officer of GSU, Naphtali Hadu commended the initiative saying “It’s a thing of joy for Gombe State University because the school has so many young people. Whether you like it or not the future of Nigeria rests on the youth.”
On his part, Abdulkadir Umar, President of Pharmaceutical Students Association Gombe State University chapter, noted that the establishment of the hub would empower students to venture into politics.
He highlighted poverty, lack of experience as part of challenges impeding youth participation.
Umar said, “I want to call on political parties to engage us, in the right ways so that our energies are not elsewhere. Poverty, inability to proof credibility.”
