By CALEB AYASINA,  Abuja
YOUTHS, under the aegis of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) have tasked leadership at all levels to take proactive step in addressing issues of education, employment and youth participation in decision making processes.

The President of the council, Wale Ajani who stated this in his message to mark this year International Youth Day, noted that the power of youths is unlimited to turn things around and whenever it is used negatively, the consequence is always grave.

“We are currently witnessing the sweeping revolution championed by youths in the Arab world. This is a manifestation of the strength and power of youths”, he said.

His words, “to the political elites, it is the right time you accept reality and give the rightful place to the youth of your nations; especially the Nations in Africa and more importantly, Nigeria, since lack of such acceptability is a time bomb that must not explode.

“Hence, the need for both the political and economic elites to wake up to the reality that any nation that cannot provide for the many that are poor cannot protect the few that are rich, therefore proactive step must be taken to address issues of education, employment and youth participation in decision making processes. The rights and dignity of the youths must be respected and protected.”

Our hope and aspiration is that the participation of youths in the political and socio-economic issues of all countries of the world will be the utmost concern of all international organizations and nations of the world.

“In the past and recent time, Nigerian youths have attempted and succeeded in stamping their foot of relevance in the political and socio-economic affairs of the country.

“For the first time in the history of the country, youths had come together to draft and present a document (National Youth Manifesto) that captures the expectation of the youths from the current political leaders. The document is an obvious indication of the ability of the youths to articulate their need and aspirations.

The President “enjoined all the Youth especially in Nigerian to continue to peacefully advocate for our rightful place for the betterment of our nation as our voice must be heard always bearing in mind that we are the link between the present and the future and we have the duty to protect them”.