Nigeria Youths Demand Protection Of Their Rights
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Youths they say, are the leaders of tomorrow and reports say 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population are youths which stands at 151 million youths, and 42 percent of the 70 percent are under the age of 15.
Unfortunately, this generation of young people are lamenting the unproductive use of their energy and potentials even though they make up the world’s population of 1.8 billion.
On this backdrop, over 60 per cent of the Nigeria’s youths are clamouring for inclusion in the scheme of things in the country and for a brighter future.
These topics were tops on the agenda of a gathering of this generation, tagged Adolescent and Youth Conference convened by Plan International in Abuja.
The conference was a whole youth event aimed at creating a platform for the exchange of ideas and opportunities to build a better world for future generations.
Speaking at the conference, the Deputy Speaker of the National Children’s Parliament of Nigeria, the Right Honourable Ibrahim Zanna, said, the voices of people have been neglected over the years and called for active participation of all to ensure inclusion and protection of human rights in the country.
According to him, challenges adolescents face can only be surmounted if there are opportunities for education and economic empowerment
He noted that actualisation of these components will contribute to the journey of success by young people in shaping the political landscape
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Kwara State Honourable Nafisat Musa, had earlier, while commending his governor for recognising the impact and strength of the adolescent urged young people to be determined in their quest for power to achieve results.
The Country Director, Plan International Nigeria, Charles Emmamuzou, on his part, said the essence of the onference was built on the desire to shape the destinies of young people to chart a clear roadmap for adolescents’ well-being, health, and development.
The Minister of State for Education Dr. Yusuf Sununu, represented by Claris Ujam, on the other hand, recognised the enormous potential of the youths and called for boys’ and girls’ education so they can attain the future of their dreams.
