Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Ms. Rinsola Abiola, has called on state governors to follow the example of President Bola Tinubu by appointing young people into positions where they can influence decisions of government.
In a statement she issued on Thursday, she also stressed the need for principles and integrity in public service, highlighting the importance of genuine commitment to nation-building, sacrifice, values, and self-development.
The statement informed that she made the remark while speaking at a forum organized by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy in Lagos.
Addressing the topic, “Youth in the Driver’s Seat: Fostering Leadership Capacities for Effective Governance,” she said when governors allow youths participate in governance, it will enable them bring innovate ideas into policy formulation and foster the spirit of inclusion.
Abiola added: “I would like to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing an unprecedented number of young people into key positions where we are actually able to influence decisions of government, to formulate policies, and to serve in different capacities.
“We have so many young people in leadership positions and I would also like to commend the Lagos State Government for the very deliberate effort to include young people in decision-making structures. However, the Federal Government does not properly capture the reality in all of our states.”
“Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, in his address, acknowledged the fact that a number of states also have young people in key positions, but that’s not the situation in most of our states; and we’re in a situation where the young people in key positions in the Federal Government and in states like Lagos are laying a good example that I believe should encourage other leaders to prioritize youth inclusion.”
“I am very happy that we have the Nigeria Governors’ Forum led by Governor Abdulrazaq of Kwara State because he is also very gender friendly and youth friendly. I believe with the example of the President and the NGF Chair, others at the state level should be able to borrow a leaf from what they’re doing and see how much youth inclusion has been able to add to their administration and to their government.”
Speaking further, she noted that “young people bring innovative ideas, young people have a can-do spirit. Since I got appointed, I have held series of engagements with lots of development partners and private sector players, and a comment that I hear, particularly from development partners, is that in our generation, we understand crowd funding, we know how to go out there and engage, we know how to pitch; that is the culture that we have imbibed as young people. And when you bring that can-do spirit into governance, you are able to do so much with the little that is available. Having more young people in positions of authority will also help a great deal with ensuring that government looks like it actually does represent the population and that young people feel a sense of belonging.”
The presidential aide also urged young people in positions of authority to set positive examples for others and actively support and mentor fellow young individuals, and advocated for enhanced youth inclusion within political party structures and government at all levels.
