BY: Manoah Kikekon
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| Aladeotan David, Hon. Sunny Ajose, Asade Adbdelsalam, and Gbowe Gabriel |
Hon. Sunny Akinsanya Ajose, the former Lagos State Head of Service, and All Progressive Congress (APC) party leaders in Badagry, have invited the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Badagry federation coordinators and their executives to address the grievances of the youths.
This meeting was held at the residence of Mr. Sunny Ajose on Sunday, to hear the youths demands. And he assured them that they would be consulted in making political decisions in Badagry.
The youths lamented that the Badagry local government is not running an inclusive government and that the youths are not given proper recognition. In addition, they pointed out that the government should provide agricultural empowerment for youths, build a youth center in each of the three LGAs, carry out a development project for Badagry, provide funds for youth council activities, and provide buses for NYCN members.
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| Hon. Sunny Akinsanya Ajose taking note of the youths demand. |
Ashade Abdulsalam, the NYCN coordinator, Olorunda LCDA, said, "there are expectations by our members from us as the youth leaders, but we are incapacitated because we are not being fully carried along in the governance process; the state government even gave us more attention than our people here, which is not proper.
Asade pointed out he had been in a meeting with the governor, where he(governor) said, "NYCN is part of the government,” but “we seem not to be important to our leaders here. We are grateful to our apex leader, Hon. Sunny Ajose, for approving this emergency meeting within 24 hours.
We know how frequently we were engaged during the chairmanship election, but reverse is the case for this general election."
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| NYCN Badagry federation coordinators and executives |
Gbowe Gabriel, the NYCN coordinator for Badagry Central, said, “we are seeing what is going on in other local governments as far as politics is concerned, but I don’t know what is going on in Badagry local government. The youth council does not have any sense of belonging.
“Please, sir, I want you to engage the three local government chairmen; we should have a say in this administration. We also have our followers, and we know we can convince these people to follow a particular trend”. Gabriel said.
Adding that “Before I became the coordinator, I knew my impact in politics, but now that recognition is not there, I'm thinking of what my response would be if my children asked me what my impact as a youth leader was.”
Popoola Faith, the deputy coordinator for NYCN Badagry Central, said, there is a need to create employment opportunities that are accessible to the common man in Badagry, devoid of "man knows man."
Aladeotan David, the coordinator for Badagry in the West LCDA, said, "I want us to note that Badagry got several important positions during the time of leader Sunny and recognition across the federation. We have seen your support for the youth, which is why Badagry has produced the youngest member in the green chamber.
Badagry is now becoming a place to envy politically because of his success, which was the result of his consistent efforts to engage relevant people.
David said in politics, you try different approaches, and the success of politics is determined by the efficiency of the group theory; "If any group is adequately stated, everything is stated." In politics, you don’t joke with the group; “we are not angry, and we will continue to work for the government of the day because we know our tomorrow will be better.
“In most places where the party had issues during the last election, it was because some youths were neglected. We want you to let the LGA chairmen know that there are youth structures that are well organized, with directors and boards across LCDAs. We know that the political leaders in Badagry respect your opinion because they can't joke with your sagacity and political alacrity. Talk to them and let them know the relevance of the youths in politics,” David added.
Hon. Sunny Ajose said, "Youth is the people we are looking at now; this is your time, and leadership starts now. I've been talking to parents about their children's political astrology and the implications of their political alignment."
Mr. Sunny further said “some political leaders are worse than followers, adding that some do not even have PVC. We will be wrong if we say the state government has not done anything for us in Badagry. We are supposed to feel more presence from the government, but some people are working against it.” However, he assured the youths that they would enjoy the dividends of their efforts after the coming election.
He assures the youths that “the next person we have to promote will be nominated by youth organization, so you will know how to handle him if he does not deliver well.” Promising the youths that “I and the commissioner for youths will map out some plans for the youths to be part of the government.”
Mr. Sunny also advised the youths to present a proposal for their request, which will enhance the inclusion of the youth's needs in the state budget. Adding that, "I have charged the political leaders to make sure they win their wards in the coming election."