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The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin has stressed the need for Nigerian youths to start preparation in earnest for the 2023 general elections, in order to ensure the participation of the younger generation in governance and democratic process.
The Speaker stated this at an interactive forum organised by The American Corner, Ibadan, in collaboration with #NotTooYoungToRun movement on post 2019 general elections assessment and vision 2023.
Ogundoyin called on all stakeholders to create more enabling environment for the Nigerian youths ahead of the next election, adding that the youth must build on the gains of the 2019 general elections by showing more interest in the electioneering and democratic process.
“This is realisable if we start the preparation for 2023 general elections now. We need more youth to identify with different political parties or come together to form their own political groups to enable us to have more representations. This will also help us to put necessary measures in place to address the problems that inhibited the full participation of youth in governance in the past years.
“The Nigerian youths are getting wiser and innovative by the day, therefore, they are ready to make necessary positive changes in all sectors of life” Ogundoyin said.
While identifying illiteracy as the bane of Nigerian youths development and participation in governance, the Speaker called on all stakeholders to invest in quality and affordable education, so as to build the capacity of the youths intellectually and morally.
Speaking, the Public Affairs Officer , US Consulate, Lagos, Mr. Ruffel Brooks in his address at the forum encouraged Nigerian youths to get more involved in politics.
He urged the youths to come up with more workable policies that will enhance good governance and better the lots of Nigerian people.