Northern Youth leader demands Minister of Youth Development’s resignation, citing abuse of office
The Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande displays a clear bias and should consider stepping down to avoid further setbacks within his ministry. For the success of the National Youth Conference, it is crucial to engage in comprehensive consultations with youth from all regions, including Northern youths and other regional blocs, to ensure diverse perspectives are represented and unfortunately the Minister have woefully failed on this direction.
A statement issued by Rt. Hon. I. M. Lawal, GCNY Speaker, Northern Youths Assembly of Nigeria NYAN, in Abuja, which was made available to journalists, noted that the Minister has been accused of consistently prioritizing regional interests over national concerns, raising concerns about his impartiality regarding the country’s development. The Minister has not demonstrated any notable achievements, apart from participating in interviews to praise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, to which his ministry has contributed minimally. While others work diligently to fulfill the mandates set by President Tinubu, he appears to be collaborating with certain individuals, referred to as youth leaders, who are predominantly over the age of 50.
I issue a formal challenge to the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Mr Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, to make public the names of the youths appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve on the Planning Committee for the National Youth Conference 2025, together with their states of origin and ages.
Northern Youths are yet to benefit from any significant engagement with the Ministry under the present administration. We are championing a more representative and equitable approach, ensuring that youths from diverse regions are included, as each area grapples with unique youth development challenges.
Technical planning for the National Youth Conference that does not incorporate input from all parts of the nation will be futile, leading to a waste of taxpayer funds on predetermined positions of Nigerian youths, while excluding the voices of those most affected by government policies on youth development and inclusion. For us, initiatives that do not involve our participation are not meant for us.
