Youths urge other governors to emulate Bello on youth inclusiveness

Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo

Representatives of Regional Youth Leaders across the country have urged other state governors in Nigeria to emulate Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State for massive inclusion of youths in his administration.

They have also commended him for the pride of place he has accorded women at all levels of government in Kogi State by ensuring that they are returned as chairmen or vice chairmen of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

A statement issued and signed by the President General, Pan Niger Delta Council of Youths, Capt Bassey Henshaw on behalf of other Regional Youth Leaders on Tuesday in Uyo, applauded Bello for appointing youth leaders as local government secretaries.

They described the move as a practical demonstration of his love and belief in the capacity of Nigerian youth to assume the mantle of leadership soon.

Henshaw, who led other regional youth leaders to the inauguration of the council leaders in Lokoja, described Bello’s action as exceptional with Council Legislative Leaders’ position reserved exclusively for women.

“With these, he has achieved and even surpassed 50% youth inclusion and 35% women inclusion in his government.

The statement read: “I also call on other governors to emulate the action of Bello by deliberately giving youths, women inclusive an opportunity to demonstrate their leadership qualities in the administration of their states.

“Most of these youth leaders have over time gained so much experience and demonstrated much capacity in that they have been able to organize and relate with most of our youths at the grassroots and know the needs of the people because they have been close to them overtime.”

He further pointed out that those appointments remain a major victory in bridging the age-long gap, that has existed between Nigerian youth and government at various levels in the country.

He, however, urged the new secretaries and other leaders sworn-in, to consider their appointments as a call to service demonstrated through hard work, focus and teamwork, to justify the confidence reposed in them by their youth-friendly governor. Other regional youth leaders who accompanied Henshaw included the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide; Afenifere Youth Wing; Middle Belt Youth Wing; Northern Youth Assembly; National Youth Council Leadership, and Niger Delta Council of Youths.