Youths under the umbrella of All Progressives Congress Youth have called on Nigerian youths to get involved and increase their participation in the national politics and political development of the country.
The group, which comprises youths across the South West geo-political zone and Kwara state, converged at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Oke-Ado, Ibadan to awaken the youth to be better represented in the decision making process of the party and the country.
At the event tagged ‘South West Progressive Youth Festival,’ the youth in their numbers expressed their determination to be part of decision makers especially that 2023 general elections draw closer.
Among the notable youths that addressed the rally were the APC National Youth Leader, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Abiola-Peller, Kabir Aregbesola, Hon Seyi Adisa, Hon. IQ Babatunde, Aderinsola Abiola, Afiz Repete, and renowned marketing communications and governorship aspirant, Abisoye Fagade.
Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Abiola-Peller, while addressing journalists, said that the time is now for the youths of the country to assume leadership positions in the country and to negotiate a better deal for themselves regardless of whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of the party.
Barrister Ahmed, in his address, said that the Progressive Youth Festival was one of the numerous initiatives being organised to strategically advocate consideration for young people and placing them in the political leadership of the country.
He added that the initiative was aimed at driving a bolder effort to energise and empower young people to take ownership of their political future by contesting for leadership positions and organising more effectively for progressive reforms through a mainstream party.
‘‘The goal is to build a young people’s political movement that will produce the next president, set the agenda and hold him/her accountable for the benefit of the millions of young people that make the majority of our country.
‘‘The hosting of this festival by the South West Progressive Youth is an initiative for championing a new type of politics for good governance, and to advocate for the needed level-playing ground for the younger generation to flourish and for Nigeria to achieve its true potential,’’ he said.
The group further revealed that their plan of action for success would include doing things differently by adopting innovative approaches to their activities such as organisation, mobilisation, funding advocacy, training and problems-solving in particular development issues peculiar to Nigeria.
“We are ready to take our future in our own hands, set an agenda for the next President, hold him accountable and produce the next president,” they affirmed. This is because the youth segment represents over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population and time was ripe for them to take up political leadership with a view to building a greater, brighter and prosperous future for the country.
Speaking on behalf of the media team, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola stressed that youths played vital roles in the sustenance of Nigeria’s nascent democracy and as such, must take leading positions in local and national politics.
“The APC Youth Festival is the collective efforts of APC youths from the South West geo-political zone. Our conviction is that the time is now for the youths to take their rightful position in national politics and leadership. So, as youths we aim to use this opportunity to gather under one roof to network and develop a roadmap for youth inclusiveness ahead of the 2023 general elections. I urge Nigerians to support this noble cause by the youth.”
The festival hosted the zazzu crooner Portable, Airboy and the Fuji maestro Saheed Osupa amongst other celebrities and Nollywood stars.
