Emphasizes Importance of Democracy and Youth Participation

By Ikegima Elizabeth

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Edo State chapter, yesterday, June 12, 2023, during the inauguration of its newly elected executives at the Edo Youth House, Akpapava road, Benin City, hosted the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

In a statement yesterday, the Deputy Chairman Edo (NYCN), Johnson Matthew Ogbogho, said the inauguration would serve as an opportunity for the state governor to meet with Edo State Youths.

Also speaking at the event, Uwanogho John, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo Youth Council, appreciated the governor for his valuable investment in youth education and for setting up various skills acquisition programs for the Edo State Youths. He said, “This is the first time Edo State is having a youth-driven governor who has, in the past six years, put young people at the forefront of his administration’s projects and policies.”

After the event at the youth’s house, the youths were then converged at a later venue to unwind and relax frail nerves. The event, tagged “Edo State Youth Interactive session with His Excellency, Gov. Godwin Obaseki,” was held at Victor Uwaifo’s hub at Airport Road, Benin City.

At the start of the event, there was a traditional dance performance by some Edo State Women. The youths were elated, and the atmosphere was filled with chanting and jubilation.

Youths drawn from the 18 Local Government Areas across the state were in attendance, as well as various paramilitary bodies like the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Man O War, Girls Guild, and a few others, who acted as security agents to ensure order and decorum.

The event was heralded by great jubilation on the arrival of the Edo State Gov. Godwin Obaseki, who arrived at the auditorium at 2p.m after an inspection parade with the uniformed bodies.

Afterwards, the crowd stood in the spirit of nationalism to observe the Nigerian National Anthem, alongside the Edo State anthem.

The newly elected NYCN chairman, Comrade Moses Agwinede Joseph, in his welcome speech, appreciated the Governor for gracing the occasion and encouraging youth participation in governance after cheering the Youths in a joyful call and response slogan, “Build the Youths, Build the Nation.” He also appreciated participants for honouring the invitation and warmly welcomed everyone as the program officially kick-started.

The governor, in his opening speech, thanked the newly elected executives for hosting him and congratulated them on their new appointments. He said, “Today is very important and significant for us as Nigerians because many young people may not know that June 12, 1993, redefined the course of history in our country. That date ensured that we, as Nigerians, began to take democracy very, very seriously. We cannot take democracy for granted, and we should not expect that democracy is perfect. In every nation, every people who practice democracy, for them, democracy is still work in progress.”

Also speaking at the event was Pastor Olu Martins, who, at the beginning of his speech, pointed out that the MC had forgotten to raise an opening prayer. In the spirit of Christianity, he led the crowd in a heartfelt prayer, going, “Glory to the Almighty God.”

He then expressed himself, taking pride in being an Edo Youth. In his speech, he made the youths understand that being a youth is never a merit until you have put in the right work to become an outstanding youth. He also advised the youths to build confidence and expertise. Rounding off his speech, he called for mentorship by well-meaning Nigerians, especially in building sustainable growth and development for youths.

Also present at the event was Kingsley Kuku, a one-time Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs. In his speech, after cheering students present from the prestigious University of Benin, in a call and response gyration, he admonished them to be a part of global development. “Know what young people are discussing around the globe and ask yourself what you are discussing as a youth. What is your contribution to societal development?”

In his charge to the newly elected chairman, he advised him to articulate his programs in favor of young people. He admonished the Edo State government not to just design programs but to focus on bringing in communicators among the youths.

He ended his speech with the popular university slogan, “Aluta continua.”

The guest speaker, Professor Eddy Eriagbe, a lecturer from the prestigious University of Benin, after talking briefly about the genesis of his academic history in the University of Benin, astonished the crowd by doing a short dance performance displaying his dancing skills, passing a message across to let the crowd know that he also enjoyed his youth.

He presented a paper to the governor and participants, focusing on diverse issues relating to governance in the Nigerian political system. He drew the attention of the crowd to the essence and importance of democracy. He said, “Democracy, again we are saying, must be sustained. The youths have a critical role to play in that because the future is yours. We must be patient as far as Nigeria is concerned. We must equip ourselves well, educationally and skill-wise, so that we can survive in the Nigeria of tomorrow.”

He also debunked the claim that the youths have never been part of governance in Nigeria. He stated that youths have been politically represented from the onset.

In another angle, he also submitted that Nigeria is not a failed state and, therefore, we should not give up on her.

The event finally came to a close after the panel and interactive session with the Governor and four other speakers. The discussion focused on youth participation in governance.

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