A political pressure group, #YouthDecide2019, has called on government at all levels to reserve Ministries of Youths, Sports and Information, and Communication Technology (ICT) for youths.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Chukwuma Okenwa, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday.

Okenwa said that it had become imperative for active youths participation not only in politics but in policy making and formulation since bulk of these policies affects the youths, who are active part of the population of the nation.

“So, it is imperative that in the next dispensation, youths are appointed as ministers and commissioners both in Federal and state governments to oversee ministries especially those related to them and needed their natural endowments,” he said.

Okenwa also noted that the ministries should be reserved for the youths knowing that they form the bulk of the nation’s population as well as voting masses that influenced the last election and those that performed credible well in the polls.

According to him, we should not forget that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) statistic that said that over 51 per cent of the total 84.2 million registered voters fall into the active youth age bracket of between 20 and 35 years.

“We are glad that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the “Not-Too-Young-To-Run” Bill into an Act; but this Act do not guarantee the youths enough political space to be part and parcel of governance and shape their own future.

“Must youths struggle to get things in the country, the answer should be no. Since we are the most populated, dynamic and energetic segment of the society; we deserve some space and acknowledgment at all levels of government.

“Bearing in mind that President Buhari as well as some governor in their second term victory statements had promised an all-inclusive government; some positions in governance should be left for youths to occupy,” he said.

He urged President Buhari to separate the ministry of Youths Development from Sports; as youth’s development is wider and have long term reach achievements as goals.

“It is only when we have the Ministry of Youths Development that policy that meant to enhance and develop youths in their entirety are fashioned and pursued for their foundational and long term effect. It demands a lot of covert hard work.

``While the present Ministry of Sports and Youth Development is like catering for youths in sports alone, which means the ministry is only for few youths in sports participation.

“This does not address the needs of massive entrepreneurship, empowerment and connectivity needed by Nigerians youths to strive in a global world,” he said.

Okenwa, however, urged youths not to relent in participating actively in politics and the electoral process; adding that the youths “hold the future of the Nigerian Project.

“We cannot afford to allow the country, our own, to sink; since other youths in different countries are helping to build their own home-lands,” he noted.

Update news