Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has called on Nigerian youths to be active participants in politics and save the nation from collapse.
He said in Kaduna on Monday that it is only when the youth participate in politics that they could be part of the decision making process and chart the desired course for the progress of the nation.
“It is high time Nigerian youths join politics and be active to be part of the decision making across all political space in the land,” he said
The Governor spoke at the Arewa House, Kaduna, where he was inducted into the Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna Hall of Fame and conferred with the most outstanding award of the year titled ” Icon of Youth and Student Development” by the leadership of Northern Nigerian Youths and students Forum.
The Governor who was represented by the member representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu, explained that his administration had laid emphasis on youth development and engaged more in the state government,compared to any other previous administration in the state.
“I am a youth like you and it’s high time we participate more in politics. We have no reason to hide. This country is about to collapse and the only way forward is for us the youths to rescue this country,” he said.
“There is a need for our youths to involve themselves more in politics. If we look at the population of this country, the youths are the majority. So, it is high time for more youths to come out and participate in governance so they can move the country forward.”
“In Nigerian politics, once you call on youth to participate, the first question they will ask you is where will I get the money. But, they should put it in mind that they need to join a political party and be active from where they can move to occupy offices.”
“Like I always say, our challenge as youths sometimes is ourselves. Youths discouraging youths. If our youths can come together, with our number as voters, we can lead the country from the presidency down to the councillorship.”
“If our youths are actively involved in politics, they will become party executives and as such, they will be able to determine the cost of sale of forms at very affordable rates”.
“As you are aware since assumption in office on May 29, 2019, Zamfara State has made a tremendous investment in education and youth empowerment to safeguard and guarantee the future of our next generation of leaders of which you represent.”
“Notably, among numerous other modest achievements in the said areas include a budgetary allocation of 19% to the education sector, remodelling of our educational institutions, improved welfare and wellbeing for teachers and provision of adequate teaching aid.”
He said “other areas of intervention is the award of foreign scholarship to hundreds of our students in Sudan, Cyprus and India to study Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, Architecture etc.”
On the security, he said, “insecurity, which was inherited by Governor Matawalle is one of our critical challenges in Zamfara State. If society will be fair to him, he has cut down the issue of insecurity significantly since he became governor.
“He initiated peace talks with farmers and pastoralists which yielded positive results. Our top priority in zamfara today is the issue of security and we are working and achieving results on daily basis.”
In his remarks,the Secretary-General, Northern Youths and Students Forum, Aliyu Ahmad, said the leadership of forum decided to honour the Governor who is enthusiastic about youths’ participation in governance.
”He is a leader per-excellence, a highly intellectual personality, a mentor, a role model who has been contributing tremendously towards the development of Northern Nigerian youths and students,” he said.
“Our award is a kind of appreciation and encouragement for the services you have rendered towards the development of Northern Nigeria. You are an outstanding governor of Northern Nigeria.”
“I honourably stand today, on behalf of the entire Northern Nigerian Youths and students, to affirm you with the most outstanding award of the year titled ”Icon of Youth and Student Development” as we usher you into the Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna hall of fame,” he said.
