Vice President Yemi Osinbajo urged young Nigerians to become more active in politics and constructively engage on national issues, while leading conversations that will strengthen national unity.
The vice president said that through such commitments, young Nigerians will play a more critical role in shaping the country’s political and economic future.
Osinbajo spokesman Laolu Akande in a statement said the vice president was the guest speaker at the first progressive youth conference, hosted by the APC youth wing on Monday in Abuja.
The theme of the conference is “The future is a decision”.
He said that greater political participation by the majority of young Nigerians would help them, more importantly, to help bring about meaningful change.
“From the turnout alone, it is obvious that the vast majority of young people do not register to vote or do not vote.
“Those who participate would prefer to engage in the very tight space of social media platforms or join lobby groups.
“Neither is necessarily bad, but while media engagements and pressure groups can draw attention to issues, they do not transform the lives of millions of people for the better or for the better. the worst.
“So if you’re interested in the future, you have to get involved in politics.
“Growing up, I was also part of several pressure groups concerned about corruption, human rights and democracy.
Osinbajo said he wrote articles and argued at conferences, but it was not until 1999, when the DA won the elections in Lagos, that he was able to serve as attorney general.
He said that by working with several colleagues, they led a major reform of the justice sector in Lagos State.
The vice president said it is crucial for young Nigerians, with similar minds already involved in politics, to influence others to participate as well.
“While you should all be congratulated for joining and remaining a member of a political party, the main digital force in our society, which you represent, is not yet engaged.
“You have a duty to persuade them, to evangelize them and to recruit them.
“Politics is about service to the people, but at the heart of it is ideas and, of course, numbers.
“Movements of all kinds are activated around ideas and numbers; the greater the number of those who are persuaded by an idea, the stronger the movement.
“So it’s crucial to be involved and involve others; the task is then to aggregate the majority of the party around your preferred point of view.
“This has to be done by standing firm on solid principles, but also by being ready to give and accept a methodology to achieve shared goals and common causes. “
He added that young people have the numbers to run with brilliant ideas that could cause major positive disruptions in politics, as had happened in other sectors like business, commerce and education.
Osinbajo urged all Nigerians, young and old, to work and project the unity of Nigeria, and avoid stoking the embers of divisions.
Those who wait on the sidelines, hoping Nigeria to disintegrate, will be very disappointed, according to the vice president.
“I am sure those of you who are here today will prevent this from happening.
“This country can accommodate all of us, regardless of tribe, religion, gender or age, and I want to urge you to continually seek ways to make this union fairer and more just for the good of all.” , did he declare.
Regarding the challenges of security and unemployment, Osinbajo said the federal government will not stop tackling the problems, while working to improve other areas such as health care and the nationwide education. (NAN)
