Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has declared that youths in the state have opportunities created to help them grow, not minding prevailing harsh economic realities.
Obasa urged the youths to latch on this available windows to evolve a better future, after the delivery of a lecture by popular Islamic scholars at the Assembly premises in commemoration of the 13th edition of the annual hijrah (1443 A.H.) celebration.
Speaking on the theme of the hijrah lecture, ‘The Role of the Youths in the Emerging Socio-economic and Political Realities,’ one of the guest speakers, Chief Imam and Missioner Ansar ud Deen Society of Nigeria, Northern States Council, Sheikh Muhyideen Bello, observed that one of the challenges faced by the youths is sit-tight-syndrome of the political class.
The popular Cleric pointed out, “Those of you at the helms of affairs should behave well because the youths are watching and they will want to emulate you. Greed and aggrandizement have become the norm,” saying efforts should be geared towards addressing the menace.
He explained that holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) had tutored the leaders on how to share resources available in every society, adding that the youths should be engaged and given their rightful position.
He maintained that “those of you who have been in the political hierachy for a good number of years should leave the stage for the teeming youths who are languishing in poverty.”
While delivering the second lecture, an Imam from Lagos State Secretariat Central Mosque, Dr Sa’eid Ahmad, said there is complete breakdown of parentig in the country, noting “everything previously believed to be bad is now considered good.”
Ahmad who is a Consultant General Surgeon added that, “What is prevalent in the society now is ideological rebellion,” because of level of decadence in the country.
He however warned the youths, saying “Regardless of bad politics and Governance in the country, how ready and committed are the youths to right the wrong.”
The Speaker in an attempt to situate the import of the lecture reeled out efforts of the state geared towards evolving a youth inclusive society in the state, while urging the youths to latch on the well afforded avenues for their positive development.
He enumerated the various legislation to address the societal issues to include; Employment Trust Fund for youths who would want to be self-employed; State Safety Corps, LASTMA; Child Rights Act among others.
He charged the youths to make use of any of the channels to advance their dreams, saying
“We are representing the people and we are doing everything so that it will change the perceptions of the youths.”
“For those youths that wants to be self reliant, we have the employment trust fund and the process is not cumbersome to what you encounter in a bank, so it is opened for everybody.
“The Sport Commission law we’ve just amended is to create opportunities for everybody instead of creating problems all around, you can go to any sports hall within your place as there are ready made provisions in terms of sporting facilities and adequate funds are earmarked for that.
“We also have the child rights law to ensure good morale are inculcated in the children while growing up. Majority of those in the house of Assembly are also youths we have members that are less than forty years old, so we will be doing everything to ensure that the youths has a place in our state.”
Speaking to the issue of godfatherism he stressed that it has been more beneficial for Lagos State than anywhere else owing to consistent development all over the State.
The Speaker who is serving his fifth term in the House explained that, “It is not a joke for somebody to have represented his community for years, he must have something he is doing for the people to have entrusted him with mandate over time.
“Representation is for the people and it’s a process and once your constituents keep faith in you, you have to represent them,” Obasa stated.
On godfatherism, the Speaker argued, Let’s compare Lagos to other States. Something has been happening in Lagos and has been advantageous to us and that is consistency. Look at other States, they have not been able to get it right. We should look at the advantages, that is why in Lagos we will continue to listen to good advice.”
The Chairman of the occasion, Hon Moshood Oshun explained that the rationale behind the topic of this year’s hijrah was as a result of the population of the youths in the country, saying Goverment needs to carry them along.
Oshun who is representing Lagos Mainland constituency II, said with the level of agitations emanating from the youths, “We have no choice than to bring them into governance.”
Dr. Abdul Lateef Abdul Akeem the Chief Imam Lagos State House of Assembly also counselled youths to get registered to effect change through electoral means and avoid noise making, they should be realistic as the door is opened.
“Those that fall within youthful age bracket should know they have a role to play in making Nigeria great again. Most of those we called political office leaders emerge when they were youths and as a youth you need to prepare yourself for the office you want to achieve.
“Generally the youth should be the CTO’s, Chief Thinkers of Nigeria they shouldn’t be used for thuggery, electoral malpractices and other roles they are not meant for, they can be leaders, many of them Who think they are activists are not, because activists are realist, they want to achieve results. It is not about demonstration on the field no, it is about having required understanding and doing the right thing.”
Addressing the guests after the lecture, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the points raised by the lecturers would be considered and their suggestions implemented.
He described the topic of the event as thought-provoking.