At a time when the youth are not considered reasonable enough to contribute to the affairs of governance from Federal to State levels, in this part of the world, here comes a Governor who, without hesitation, recognizes the strength of the youth by giving them a pride of place in his administration. I am talking about a God-fearing leader, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D, the youth-friendly Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Governor Eno boasts of recruiting the youngest and brightest set of youth into the State Executive Council, who also hold very sensitive portfolios, contributing their quota to the development of the State.
It was Nelson Mandela that said, “The future belongs to the youth. As some of us near the end of our political careers, younger people must take over. They must seek and cherish the most basic condition for peace, namely unity in our diversity, and find lasting ways to that goal.”
Youth participation in politics is crucial for a vibrant democracy and a more inclusive society. When young people are actively involved, it fosters a more representative and responsive political system, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered in decision-making. This engagement also builds trust between generations and strengthens communities. Ideally, the youth have the number. Take a count in any Community setting and you agree with me that the youth are the simple majority. So, when you bring up the youth to a position of authority, you are invariably expanding the reach of your administration beyond bounds and limits. Creating an undeniable support base for your government. Notably, leaders who understand this fact are toying the path and one of such people is the award-winning Governor of Akwa Ibom State, our Golden Governor.
Sometimes, I cast my mind back to the early days of political antecedents in Nigeria as regards youth participation in politics, and wonder how it was possible for young people to be entrusted with leadership position so easily. Were there no senior citizens who were interested in such juicy political offices? Or is it that they were not hungry for power as it is obtainable in our clime these days? These questions and many more leaves much to be desired.
In the same Country that General Yakubu Gowon became the head of State at the age of 31, General Murtala Muhammed at the age of 37, General Olusegun Obasanjo, 39 years, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, 41 years, and Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi at 42 years, we are now celebrating youths who manage to win election to the State House of Assemblies, House of Representatives and the Senate. It is pertinent to ask what has changed?
Our youth must rise up and make their voice heard, not just through protest, but through constructive engagement. In the words of James Ene Henshaw, the publisher of “This is our chance”, this should be the chance of the youth.
Governor Eno did not stop at introducing young people into his cabinet, he is also believed to be one of the most Youth-Friendly Governors in Nigeria. Apart from the routine empowerment programmes at Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Center, IBOM-LED, and Dakkada Skill Acquisition Centre, DASAC, the Governor is even taking a step to build youth friendly centers across the 31 Local Government Areas, a veritable source of unprecedented youth empowerment in Akwa Ibom State.
As we speak, some Local Government Chairmen have submitted the details of the landed property needed for the urgent development of the centers. Yes! There was an instruction from Governor Eno, that the State Government is willing to start the construction of the Youth-Friendly centers in a first come first serve bases, meaning that the project would kick-off soon in the Local Government Areas that have succeeded in making a space available for the project. Not just a mere building structures, but a computerized state-of-the-art structures, otherwise known as Tech-hubs, for youth reinvigoration. Our youth, most especially those in the rural areas must key into available opportunities in the current digital economy, we can’t be doing the same thing and expect different results.
There is something about a succession plan. If we faill to groom our youth with the required knowledge, exposure and opportunity to be in leadership positions, how are we going to secure our future as a State and Country? Even at the Community level, we need youth participation in Community administration. A coordinated youth leader in the village level would most likely be favoured to contest for political office, such as Councilor. It takes discipline to rise from the position of mediocrity and be accepted in places that matters.
If you listened to Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the award winning Governor of Akwa Ibom State, you discovered that he is always willing to work with the youth. But not the set of youth that repeatedly chants “Build the youth”, with nothing to offer. It is high time we took our destinies into our hands. When I look at the credentials of most young men that the Governor brought into the State Executive Council, I just remember the popular saying that “When preparation meets with an opportunity, success is inevitable “. I kept on saying that nothing just happened.
Without attempting to elongate this piece of work, let me appreciate the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for working closely with the youth and to also do a subtle reminder that posterity shall be kind to him.
Arise, that same God.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Writing from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, the Raffia City.
