Poised to equip the youths with tools to sensitise and galvanise their base in playing active roles in governance not just at the grassroots level but at the top of the political clime, PAJ movement grabs another strategic community notch.
With a focus on youths, shying away from the political process to youths not enthusiastic about nation-building, Prince Adedoyin Jokotex (PAJ) movement organised an interactive meeting with youth leaders in Ikorodu North LCDA.
Held at the PAJ movement secretariat on the 19th of August 2022, the drive highlighted how youths can be on guard with the insertion of data analysis into the electoral process as the 2023 general election draws close.
Intimating the youths on the significance of the assembly, former Ikorodu North chairmanship aspirant and convener of PAJ Movement, Prince Adedoyin Jokotex substantiated that the meeting is tailored to understand ways youth and stakeholders can work together to define governance and leadership.
Prince Jokotex continued, “PAJ movement has engaged in charity courses, we have initiated sensitisation and permanent voters card registration for residents in Ikorodu north LCDA”.
“As data research enthusiasts, we’ve collected and are in a position of registered voters’ information, ensuring that when the PVC is out, we’ll contact them each to assure they receive it and perform their civic right of electing transformational leaders”.
As regards the meeting, he connotes, “PAJ movement is using this discussion to establish a forum between the youths, in finding common grounds to synergise and make the outcome of the 2023 general elections a victory for democracy in Nigeria”.
“We need your suggestions, contributions and ideas to integrate and enhance our system approach in working on an effective electoral practice come 2023” He added.
Clearing the floor for an interactive session with the youths after his remarks, Prince Adedoyin Jokotex asked youth leaders for recommendations and criteria on which the initiative and the youth can work jointly.
Delegates from the National youth council of Nigeria, Ikorodu North LCDA branch, Blessed women organisation lucky fibre, and women from paradise in Maya questioned the timing of the meeting but contributed sufficiently to the course.
Prince Samson Adeniyi urged the movement to look into politicians using youths during the election period and jettison them when they eventually emerged.
He states, “We are always useful but not rightfully positioned to function in government. We’re all qualified in our own right and we also have where we’re headed in life.”
“Having youths who possess the PVC but requesting for money before casting their vote is a result of the lack of trust in the system, stemming from the constant abuse of power we’ve observed over time” Samson Adeniyi asserted.
Mrs Ajhadi Kadijat, another youth leader from the northern part of the waterbed region, communicated her dissatisfaction with the system, stating that youths should not be only relevant during campaigns.
She proceeded, “Most of us are not clamouring for posts at government offices, we only need empowerment to level the plain field of growth and development in our respective communities”.
“We’re used to the situation we’ve found ourselves in, but if the system is ready to change and work for a greater good, then we’re ready to get involved and play our roles to make it happen” Mrs Khadijat expanded.
One notable opinion from the plethora of youthful representatives at the meeting was value-attribute given to Senator Adetokunbo Abiru for his innovative youth programs supporting fresh minds across the Lagos East senatorial district.
Other youth leaders including; Mrs Oniyide Falilat, Comrade Ganiu Olawale, and Mr Taoheeb Siquilai challenged the movement about the lifespan of the exercise in building up to the general elections, requesting to know if the initiative would evolve beyond politics.
Citing systemic defects as the cause of most youth-governmental issues yet to be resolved, Prince Adedoyin Jokotex, appraising questions put forward, explained that the current government system in Nigeria must be given credit for building forums to hear to the youth, which understands their usefulness.
“This implementation is meant to bridge the gap between the uninformed residents and governance. Certainly, we’re not there yet but we’re getting it right gradually to effect the change we truly desire”.
“That’s why we must give credit to leaders like Senator Tokunbo Abiru’s representation of the Lagos East senatorial district, categorised as nothing but an optimistic upgrade”.
“He is erecting consistent youth tech-driven programs across the board because he knows the strength of the youth and their direct input to foster societal expansion”.
“This initiative will run beyond the 2023 elections, as every suggestion is documented for swift correlation and adoption” Prince Adedoyin Jokotex concluded.
You must log in to post a comment.