“…many Nigerian youths, especially students, have wrong mentality towards political participation” SRC Majority Leader decries
“…many Nigerian youths, especially students, have wrong mentality towards political participation” SRC Majority Leader decries
Safiu Kehinde
The Majority Leader of LASUSTECH’s Students Representative Council, Hon. Sodiq Adam, has decried the wrong mentality of students and youths as regards political participation.
In his speech during a Press Conference held at the School of Environmental Studies Lecture Hall, the Majority Leader lamented over the poor engagement of students in politics.
“This is to let you know that many Nigerian youths, especially students, have wrong mentality towards political participation. If you gather 5000 students today, and ask them to bring out their voters card, only about 10% will bring it out, 40% will tell you they have not been able to get it and the remaining 50% will say “what do we need it for”. This is rather appalling in a nation where the voices of the youth cannot be heard, a nation where over 80% of all members of the Executive, Judicial, and legislative arm of government are old people, and the needs of the youth and students are considered secondary.”
Hon. Sodiq cited the 2020 #EndSARS Protest and the ongoing ASUU Strike as more reasons for youths and students’ engagement in politics. According to him, the #EndSARS protest revealed how badly the nation is managed as the mass protest against the “youth-killing” arm of the Police Force only resulted to the change of the arm to SWAT.
On ASUU strike, the Majority Leader condemned the government’s inability to end the age-old crisis revealing their lack of concern to the welfare of the students and the academic sector as a whole.
“Another major reason why students should get their voters card ahead of the 2023 election is already evident right now: “ASUU STRIKE”. The Academic Staff Union have been at logger heads with the government even before many of us were born and at this day and age, the story still remains the same. It only means that the Nigerian government care more about filling their pockets rather than giving students the proper education they deserve. What Knowledge would a lecturer who is thinking about the salary he is owed instill in students? It remains a question no one has an answer to.” He added.
Meanwhile, he described the kind of the leader the nation with her youthful populace needs.
“The kind of leaders we need in Nigeria are people who are innovative; people who understand the trends of first class nations when it comes to technology and finance; a government who is passionate and deliberate about the development of the youths and do all it takes to empower them to be able to compete with other students and youths of High-ranking nations of the world.” He disclosed
He, however urged the students to show interest in politics for such ideal leader to exist.
“If students and youths of our beloved country Nigeria do not wake up and show impassioned interest in Politics. Remember you have to be the change you want.” He said.
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