University Don Makes Case For Youths, Women In Government

ABRAHAM OLADIPUPO/ IBADAN

Nigeria must learn to engage the youths and women in policies and decision making if the nation intends to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

This was the submission of Professor Stella O. Odebode, the coordinator, Gender Mainstreaming Officer of the University of Ibadan at the annual Public Lecture of the organisation  held on Tuesday at the Trenchard Hall of the University.

She called on government at all levels to engage the youths and women if they intend to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

According to the University don, those in positions of authority need to shift focus to the youths and women.

“Gender and generational issues have become trending global phenomena that have taken over the social and academic space in recent times. The participation of youths in governance, administration, business, education, entertainment and all other spheres of human endeavours irrespective of their gender is what developing nations requires to attain and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

While delivering the lecture titled, “Gender and Youth Participation: A Panacea to Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, the Guest speaker and Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Youth Affair, Prince Godswill Edward called on the youths to equip themselves before clamouring for the mantle of leadership.

While noting that youths have not been adequately represented in the government of the day, he called on the youths and women to see themselves as the leaders of today and not tomorrow.

“The population of the country is dominated by youths and women and for this society to succeed, the interest of the youths and women must be well represented. We must prepare the youths ahead of time and ensure that the decision and policies of government focus on this section of the society,” Edward said.

He added that any society that fails to think about the youths, how to equip, developed and manage them cannot succeed.

“When our leaders refused to build the youths, who would they relinquish power to when they don’t prepare them ahead of time? Projects must centre on youths and women. When you look downward, the first sets of people that would make the society better, bring honours are the young people and this section of the society are being neglected. A youth who has not led before cannot be a good leader tomorrow. Youths must be engaged, mentorship programme must exist.

“We are building structures and legacy projects, who will be the one to sustain this works? We would destroy them if you don’t give us the opportunity to know how these things came to be. If you don’t encourage youths in discourse and policies about their generation, then there will never be a better society in Nigeria.

“Youths have been disenfranchised at all levels. For instance, we can’t count up to five youths who have been given federal appointments. Every development starts with youths and I believe this is what we have not come to term with’.

On the issue of gender, he added that women must be encouraged because they are unique builders.

“If they can build the home successfully, then we can be rest assured they can lead and build the nation. Women are builders and every leader in this world came out of the womb of a woman who nurtured them to be who they are today. Women should be more engaged in policy making, in organisations and be encouraged to come up and take position of authority,” the Governor’s aide concluded.