NIGERIAN YOUTHS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION: TASK PRESIDENT BUHARI-LED GOVERNMENT ON YOUTH WELFARE

A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH ASSEMBLY OF NIGERIA NATIONAL SITTING ON SATURDAY 12th DECEMBER, 2015 AT THE POWER MIKE CENTER, ABUJA

STATE OF THE NATION:

ISSUES DELIBERATED UPON AND RESOLUTIONS REACHED THEREON:

Whereas the National Youth Assembly of         Nigeria is an Assembly committed to the promotion of good governance anchored on youth empowerment and sustainable development;

Whereas the Assembly is concerned about the many grave challenges facing our nation at this critical period;

Concerned that the Nigerian youths have been at the receiving end of the harsh economic weather enveloping the Nigerian nation at the moment;

Aware that the Nigerian Youths have greater stake in the future of the Nigerian nation than the present crop of the nation's Leadership;

Convinced that anything about us without us is not for us;

The Assembly consequently rose from its National sitting to resolve as follows;

1.  ON INSECURITY:

The youth are the most affected by the insecurity bedevilling the nation, we call on the youth  all over the country to rise up and unite against terror while enjoining our government to pursue the empowerment of youths as a lasting solution to youth restiveness.

2. ON MINIMUM WAGE:

Governor that cannot pay should resign. The high cost of maintaining our elected leaders has negatively impacted the nation's economy on a large scale as it is not reflective of but rather insensitive to the economic realities of the time. There is no justification for a state to be unable to pay the minimum salary. Governors should be creative in seeking for ways of enhancing their internally generated revenue rather than relying on the Federal Government Allocation.

3. ON ANTI-CORRUPTION:

The issue of corruption in governance of the country is very disturbing. The Assembly identifies with the Anti-corruption war being currently waged by the present administration but expresses the considered view that government must be holistic and non-selective in this war so that questions surrounding the integrity of the process would not derail the ongoing campaign or undermine its effectiveness. The Assembly commends the Osigwe Anyiam Osigwe Foundation for considering corruption as a topic of its annual memorial lectures. We call on Nigerians to contribute to the ongoing anti-corruption war by correcting ourselves individually. It is the belief of the Assembly that the fight against corruption must start from somewhere. Media trials should be discouraged and Court processes and Orders respected.

4.ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY:

The National Assembly and the Presidency should enforce a complete financial autonomy for the Local Governments in the country. The Independent Electoral Commission should take over the conduct of Local Government elections as against the States' Independent Electoral Commission since past experiences have demonstrated lack of objectivity by the State Electoral Umpires presiding over the Local Government Elections.

5. ON UNEMPLOYMENT:

The Assembly observes that the youth unemployment rate remains alarming and government must rise to act appropriately. The proposal of a 500 billion Naira welfare package in the 2016 budget is a welcome development but considers that a lot more could be done by ensuring the full implementation of the policy which should be supported by establishment of Skills Acquisition Centres across the country. Programmes of the previous administration such as SURE-P, YOU-WIN and GIS should be sustained and built upon. The Assembly calls on our Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity to immediately role out his plan for tackling unemployment during his stewardship even as we assure him of our ever preparedness to partner with him in tackling the challenges before him.

6. ON EDUCATION:

The highly exploitative tendencies of our higher institutions such as exam fees, acceptance fees, convocation/graduation fee, post-UTME and such other frivolous charges during studies must be discouraged by Government, Civil Society Organizations, student bodies and all well-meaning Nigerians. This is further widening the illiteracy gap in the country.

Attaining qualitative basic education remains a mirage in the country when education is one of the most vital sector that needs to be addressed.

We find it highly irresponsible of different State Governments to fail to pay fees owed exam bodies which has resulted in the withholding of SSCE results of thousands of Nigerian students.

We equally commend the Senate for passing a resolution calling for the extension of the validity period of JAMB result.

7. ON FRACTION IN NYAN:

In the spirit of unity, peace and progress, the Assembly resolved to extend the olive branch to our separated brethren who have carried on under the aegis of YAN being championed by the former Deputy Speaker of the National Youth Assembly of Nigeria. It is our belief that our brethren would see good reasons to come back home in the overall interest of the Nigerian Youths and achievement of our collective vision.

8. ON YOUTH AFFAIRS:

The Assembly calls on the Youth Minister to, as a matter of compelling urgency, convene a National Youth Summit where he is expected to roll out his measurable blueprint on how to immediately arrest festering youth restiveness across the land, combat growing youth unemployment in the land, achieve financial inclusiveness, skill acquisition, wealth creation and youth empowerment with a view to stamping out crushing poverty engulfing the youths and ravaging their potentials.

9. CONCLUSION:

It is the humble but firm view of the Assembly that the lot of the Nigerian Youths and indeed the entire nation will have received a tremendous leap in the much sought-after direction of economic emancipation, prosperity and peaceful co-existence if the salient issues and resolutions herein contained are given accelerated consideration and implemented.

SIGNED

LUQMAN MAJIDI,

NATIONAL SPEAKER.