By Francis Sadhere, Warri

Professor Jerry Gana, a former minister of information and former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), during the weekend called on Nigerian youths to join politics and take over power from the present crop of politicians come 2023.

Gana said this on Saturday at the Youth Arise Conference with the theme “Raising 21st Century Leaders for Nigeria” held at the Petroleum Training Institute Conference Centre, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

Gana, who presented the theme of the conference, told journalist in the sideline that he was ashamed of some young governors in this present administration.

He debunked the allegation that youths were not given opportunity to join politics in Nigeria by the elders, saying that most of the youths who have been given opportunity in politics are yet to do well.

He therefore urged youths in the country to come out and involve themselves in politics so as to takeover power from the present crop of politicians.

“It’s not true that we are not giving the youth the chance to join politics. Today some of the worst governors in this present administration are the youths, and I am ashamed of them. But the youths of today should not be like that. They should be good people.

“I entered politics as a youth and I did very well. They should do much better than we have done. So it’s not true that we don’t allow the youth to join politics. Now we are now luring the youths and we are opening doors for the youths. Let the youths take over governance of this country,” Gana said.

During his theme presentation, Gana said Nigeria lacked visionary leaders who have the passion to create the future and take the initiative.

He lamented that Nigeria leaders today do not have a clear sense of priority, adding that “wisdom is very essential to be a leader and to be able to take up leadership.”

Ndi Kato, a human and minority rights activist and public speaker, in her paper, “The Role of Youths in Driving Civic Participation and Good Governance,” urged youths to participate in politics to elevate the country from bad governance.

While lamenting that entry point into political parties have been made difficult for the youth, Kato appealed to political party leaders to make the entry points easy for the youths.

“Participation starts with registration and being involved in elections. More young people need to participate in politics today, though entry points into political parties are difficult today,” she said.

On her part, Ejiro Umukoro, one of the organizers of the programme, said one of the reasons they came together to organize the programme for the youths was because there was a “huge gap in civic education, civic engagement,civic mobilization, political consciousness, and innate drive among our young Nigerians.”

According to her, “You can see that they (youths) are hungry for something better. The legacies that have been passed from those in the corridors of power and leadership, leaves nothing for them to aspire for.

“So it creates a disconnect, apathy and hopelessness and a sense of defeate among young people.

“Having a conference like this, having a place where they have the chance to ask all the questions that they want to ask regarding these areas that there are gaps, is why we put this conference together and brought all these personalities from across Nigeria to this place.

“We call it youth Arise because it’s high time the Nigeria youths rose and took ownership of their future. They have to understand that it’s all about Stakeholdership and that for you to be a stakeholder you have to take steps to participate. You have to build capacity, engage, mobilize and be responsible in how you discharge your civic duties.”

Others who spoke to the youths at the Conference were, Prof. Tola Badejo, Pastor Korede Komaiya, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, and Prof. Christopher Akpotu.

The conference was rounded off with an “Open House Interaction”, with Ndi Kato, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye and moderated by Ejiro Umukoro.


PHOTO: Prof. Jerry Gana (right) and Prof Tola Badejo during the Youth Arise Conference held at PTI Conference Centre, Effurun Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.