The apex Yoruba youth group, Oodua Youth Coalition, has urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfill his promise of giving youths a prominent role in his administration.
The group made this plea in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Tayo Oluyi, and made available to newsmen in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
Oluyi, while congratulating the new president, said he should not forget the promises he made to the youth during his campaign and his inaugural speech.
The youth coordinator said: “Achieving a lifelong dream is a great thing. However, laying a foundation for the younger generation is greater than this.
“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his campaign, made a lot of promises to the youth of this country, which included giving us prominent roles in his administration. This he reiterated in his inaugural speech, and I am happy about that.
“However, politicians are funny and can do the direct opposite of what they promised. This is why I am appealing to the new president not to listen to anyone who won’t let him fulfill his promise to make his administration a youth-friendly one.
“There are millions of young people across the country doing great things that I believe will be of immense benefit to this nation if given the chance to serve. Tinubu, known for his ability to attract sought-after great minds, should get these people to help reposition Nigeria.”
Oluyi, who said he believed strongly in the Nigerian dream and the ability of young minds to effect the desired change to make the country great, also beseeched the youth not to misuse any opportunities given them by the Tinubu administration.
He said, “While appealing to the president to let the youth play key roles in his administration, we must also beg any young people given such opportunities to not let us down.
“We have seen some youths misbehave in public office, thereby closing the doors of opportunities for others. Anyone appointed by the new president must see himself or herself as holding the position in trust for a generation, thereby doing his or her best to protect the interests of millions of people whose destinies are attached to his or her success in that office.
“In all, I pray this government succeeds, as we cannot afford to get it wrong again after the difficulties faced under the last administration,” Oluyi added.
