By Victoria Ojeme
ABUJA — Ahead of the 2011 presidential election, Nigerian youths yesterday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as the only man that could make Nigeria a greater nation.

This came as President Goodluck Jonathan urged the youths to defend their votes for good governance and rule of law.
President Jonathan, who noted this at the  National Youth Summit held in Abuja, said “Nigeria should be a place for youths to study, not the other way round.

“That is why nine more universities were added to the already existing ones.   Not just that but we have also released fund for the renovation of the old ones.

“Every state must have a university, we need the best materials from our youths, we must recognise excellence, that is the only way we can get back our country and I promise to achieve the goal of our youths. Let us join hands together to remake Nigeria today for a better tomorrow by selecting leaders that we believe in.

“We must believe in one man one vote, one woman one vote and one youth one vote. You must all vote and defend your vote, that is our new slogan, I promise you that I will not let you down.

“I sincerely thank you for the support and encouragement you have given to me, it is also a wake up call that the youths are looking up to me and I must do my best not to fail them.”

In his keynote address, Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, commended the youth for their massive participation in the summit.

According to him, “there is need for you all to engage yourself in the political process to elect a leader that will transform your lofty ideas into reality.

“As we march towards 2011 general elections, let me appeal to Nigerian Youth to massively participate in the forth coming voters registration exercise. You must consider registering as a voter a sacred national duty as doing otherwise will amount to disenfranchising yourself during the April 2011 general elections.

The minister called on youth to engage in voters education among their peers and families, “be an advocate of youth against political violence, thuggery and other electoral malpractices.

“You should sensitise your peers to the power of the ballot as against violent change and the need to support the administration’s push for electoral reform and credible electoral process.”