2023: Progressive Youths Converge in Lagos To Negotiate Better Deal For Young Nigerians

Progressives youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have met in Lagos at a parley between young business stakeholders, political aspirants from the six Southwest states and Kwara and their counterparts in government.

The Youths met on Saturday 29th January at the Lagos Travel Inn, Ikeja, with a view to organise towards the coming national convention of the party and beyond and negotiate a better deal for the youth in the party and in government regardless of whoever emerges the Presidential candidate of the party and ultimately the president.

The event, which is premised on the youth organizing for a better deal for the younger generation, brought lots of APC youth leaders, serving government appointees and aspiring youth in the Southwest together.

According to the speakers at the conference, the Progressives Youth vision is to have young people better represented in decision-making structures, both within the political party system and in government.

“With the upcoming national convention and primaries of the party later this year, it is very important that young people organize effectively so more youth can occupy aspire, contest and occupy leadership positions in the party and in government,” a statement from the organisers stated.

Also speaking at the conference, Member, House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Peller revealed that the youth of this great country must go beyond the sentiments that divides and further a stronger alliance beyond religion and ethnicity.

“The unity of Nigeria and its peace being of greater consequence should guide the actions and decisions of the younger generations towards the achievement of the vision,” Peller said while addressing APC youth.

He added that Nigerian youth must agree that “Our leaders must have vision. We must not let religion and ethnicity divide us as youth of this great country. If truly we want to take over the leadership of this country, there must be a clear vision which everyone must agree as our national priority.”

Member, APC National Lobby Committee and coordinator of SouthWest caucus, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo who also spoke at the conference emphasized that the initiative came into being as a follow up to the outcome of the APC Progressives Youth Conference held in 2021 to help the younger generation organize better and position them properly for mainstream politics.

“We initiated this platform to mainstream young people in leadership positions in the party and government. This transformative APC Progressives’ Agenda within the context of the National framework is representative of the ethos of progressive youth leadership, youth participation and equitable representation at all levels of elective and appointive positions. This agenda is driven by the APC National Youth Lobby Committee under leadership of Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed,” Oyegbola-Sodipo highlighted at the conference .

“It is also crucial for us to establish understanding and a working partnership with our counterparts in the business world because politics greatly impacts the business environment and opportunities available,” he added.

Another key member of APC Progressives National Lobby Committee, Kabir Aregbesola revealed further that Nigeria youth must come together as one.

He disclosed that for them to be part of Nigeria political reform, mobilization is key.

Aregbesola said “on Saturday February 5, 2022, we are bringing 100,000 youth together at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan for the South West Progressives Youth Festival. This festival is the first ever in the South West for youth and by the youth. It’s going to be filled with entertainment, empowerment and inspiration.”

At the Liberty Stadium event, Fuji Music Star Saheed Osupa is confirmed to be part of the festival, while Portable, the Zazuu Zeh crooner and Small Doctor will also be performing.

Speaking earlier at the conference, Fatima Kakuri a member of the APC Youth National Lobby committee also highlighted that the efforts of the last one year has yielded considerable outcomes, from the party ward, Local Government and State congresses and then it’s time to scale the efforts towards the national convention and then the presidential primaries.

Other notable youths that attended the Progressives Youth Festival Conference held at Lagos Travel Inn, Ikeja, includes Ms. Rinsola Abiola, a media entrepreneur, youth advocate and young progressive from Ogun state, and the APC national youth leader; Hon. Adebayo Rasaq; Hon. Sesan Shobande, Lagos State Judo Association Chairman; Sheriff Hammed; Dr. Tunde Diya; Comrade Shehu TIjani Adegbola; Dr. Seriki, APC Lagos State Youth Leader and many others.