The political activist said recent economic policies of the government led to unprecedented social vices both in Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria.
The national president of Fix Nigeria Group, Tunde Eso, has called on President Bola Tinubu, and the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to implement a national agenda of youth inclusion in governance.
Eso said this at the group’s meeting which was held on Wednesday in Lagos.
The political activist said recent economic policies of the government led to unprecedented social vices both in Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria.
He added that the government's unfavourable economic policies resulted in an unthinkable increase in the cost of living for citizens, with disastrous consequences for their level of living.
Eso also urged the Nigerian government to implement an effective national policy implementation of the youth agenda in collaboration with the states by providing empowerment programmes that would engage youths, get them off the streets, and transform them into productive and responsible citizens for a better Nigeria.
The Lagos State Coordinator of the group, Comrade Moses Olubobola said, “Youth inclusion in governance can't be over-emphasized as it is of vital importance in bridging Nigeria’s leadership gap saying if purposefully implemented can bring about robust governance.
“Sixty percent of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30 years which is the lowest in Africa.
“According to INEC in the just concluded elections, young people made up about 75% of the newly registered voters. Despite this, youths are under-represented in elective positions in government.
“Nigerian youths have achieved outstanding landmarks in sports, the academia, entertainment, the corporate world, and entrepreneurship locally and internationally. This is a clear manifestation that our youths can also excel in governance when offered the opportunity.
“Olubobola therefore calls the president, his excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement a national policy on youth inclusion in governance for the good of Nigerians in all sectors of the economy.
“The Public Relations Officer of Fix Nigeria Group, Lagos State, Comrade Taofeek Olowu, urged the Lagos State government to create a new policy on free education, youth inclusion in governance, provision of free healthcare, and affordable cum seamless transportation facilities in Lagos.
In his contribution, Comrade Seun Akande, the Lagos State Secretary of Fix Nigeria Group, said despite the economic challenges facing our great nation, there are abundance of blessings and natural endowments staring at us without noticing them.
He reiterated that Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources, talented, and brilliant people, both young and old, yet the majority of our citizens live in abject poverty.
He went on to say that "even though Lagos is Nigeria's richest state, there are no motorable roads in our major cities, no standard first-class hospitals, no uninterrupted power supply in our homes and offices, and the educational system is in disarray, with students staying at home for months due to avoidable strike actions by teachers and lecturers."
He urged the local, state, and federal governments to look inside and engage more youth in governance for the change that we seek in Nigeria, stating that now is not the time to assign blame for previous mistakes, but rather to awaken from our slumber. Any country that fails to cultivate its youth should
The state youth leader, Comrade Monday Yusuf appeals to Governor Sanwo-Olu to improve on power supply in the state to reduce criminality.
Mrs Toyin Yusuf, Lagos State Women Leader of Fix Nigeria Group, urged the states and federal government to allow more women and Youthocrats participation in governance and empowerment for a better Nigeria.