Nigerian youths, under the aegis of Youth Awake Nigeria (YAN), have said they will present a charter to the presidential candidates of the political parties participating in the February 25 election.

The youths promised to work with like-minds to rescue the country from what they called bad governance by electing a credible candidate as President.

While demanding immediate actions to tackle the challenges facing the nation, the youths urged fellow young Nigerians to use next month’s polls to make their voices heard and re-write the nation’s history.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja on the outcome of a strategic dialogue with fellow youths across the country, leaders of the youth groups, under YAN, said they would also scrutinise the manifestos of the presidential candidates.

The youth organisations include Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yoruba Youth Council, Niger Delta Youth Coalition, National Youth Council of Nigeria, National Union of Nigerian Students (NANS), among other similar bodies.

They noted that bad leadership and misgovernment of the nation’s enormous resources resulting thereof is now reflected across every sector of the nation.

Those present at the media briefing included the President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima; President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuife; President of Yoruba Youth Council, Eric Oluwole; President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Sukubo Sara-Igbe; President of National Association of Nigerians Students (NANS), Usman Barambu; Chairman of Youth Awake Nigeria, Dr. Festus Uchenna, among others.

According to them, the youths, as the engine room of the nation, must strive hard to build a new Nigeria.

Oweilaemi Pereotubo of the Niger Delta Youth Coalition, who read the communiqué issued at the end of the strategic meeting, said this year’s elections present a “golden opportunity” for youths to steer the ship of state away from the tide of bad governance.

He said: “The Nigerian youths have been at the receiving end of policies made by leaders of past administrations and thus have been denied several opportunities to explore their youthful potentials and hence the need to thoroughly engage the manifestos of the presidential candidates for proper scrutiny and endorsement.

“We, the youths of this nation, have had enough. That is why we must speak. We are tired and have tried. We must use our numbers to speak with one voice.

“Enough is enough. We are not going to continue to take this again. Going forward, youth inclusiveness in leadership roles in government is mandatory.

“We, the youths, make up 80 per cent of the nation’s population. We must use our numbers to unite with one voice and hold whoever will win the presidential election to deliver on his manifesto.

“Every Nigerian youth is enjoined to speak freely, expressing their demands to their preferred candidates.”

Pereotubo said a Memorandum of Agreement would be executed with each of the presidential candidates before the February 25 poll.

YAN Chairman Uchenna said Nigerian youths have the power to determine who wins the presidential election next month. (The Nation)

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