…as Reps hold second youth town hall, engage young Nigerians
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has said the government must consider how its policies, programmes, and budgets affect the youths being one of the major drivers of development.
Speaker Abbas said the youth, as leaders of tomorrow, should be empowered, nurtured, and motivated for the leadership roles they are about to take. He, however, stated that young Nigerians should also be willing to take leadership responsibilities.
The Speaker said this while declaring open a Youth Town Hall on the 2025 Budget at the National Assembly Abuja on Monday.
It was the second in the series of engagements between the Speaker and Nigerian youths, the first being on July 31.
While noting that the importance of the engagement could not be overstated, Speaker Abbas recalled that at the first Youth Town Hall, he promised to institutionalise regular engagement with the youth, being “our nation’s young people.”
He said: “This gathering highlights the vital role of your voice in shaping the future of our nation. It acknowledges that you, the youth of Nigeria, are not just the leaders of tomorrow but active participants in the governance and development of today.
“Your energy, creativity, and resilience are transforming every sector of our society, from agriculture to technology, arts, sports, and entrepreneurship. Across these fields, you demonstrate that Nigerian youth can achieve greatness with the right support and opportunities.
“Yet, we must ask ourselves: how can you do even more? How can we, as leaders, create an enabling environment that allows your potential to flourish fully? This dialogue is, therefore, so important to explore how government policies, budgets, and programmes can better support you in taking your rightful place as drivers of national development.”
The Speaker said all the stakeholders at the town hall must also discuss a critical subject that affects not just your future but the very future of our nation: leadership recruitment.
He noted that the responsibility of building the next generation of leaders must not be left to chance. He added that political parties, as key institutions of democracy, have an urgent role to play in identifying, nurturing, and empowering young people to assume leadership positions.
In recognition of the young people’s incredible potential, Speaker Abbas recalled that the National Assembly enacted the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Act, which lowered the age requirement for elective offices.
He said the landmark legislation opened up new opportunities for young Nigerians to actively participate in governance, enabling those with the vision, energy, and competence to step forward.
“However, more than the law is needed; political parties must take this further by deliberately mentoring and supporting young aspirants, ensuring they have the tools and resources to succeed.
“Across Africa and beyond, young people are demonstrating that they can excel when provided the opportunity to lead,” Speaker Abbas said, stressing that, “They are a clarion call to Nigeria and the world that investing in young people’s leadership potential pays dividends for society as a whole.”
The Speaker stated: “Preparation is, therefore, non-negotiable in leadership. It requires education, exposure, mentorship, and a strong sense of duty and integrity. Young Nigerians must be intentional about preparing themselves to lead, not just politically but in every sphere of society.
“I call on political parties to take seriously their mandate to scout for and develop young talents, ensuring that leadership succession is deliberate and inclusive. The future of our democracy and the survival of our institutions hinge on this.”
