A coalition of youth groups under the auspices of Youth Awake Now (YAN) has resolved to thoroughly engage the manifesto’s of the presidential candidates for proper scrutiny and endorsement ahead of the February, 2023 general election.
The coalition comprising of about 10 groups including the National Association of Nigerian Students, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Arewa, Igbo, Youruba, Ijaw youths made their position known in communique’ read at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
According to the YAN, the Nigerian youth have been at the receiving end of policies made by leaders of past administrations, and have been denied several opportunities to explore their youthful potentials, hence the need to engage those aspiring for the country’s leadership.
In the communique’ read by YAN spokesperson, Barr. Pereotobu Oweilaemi, said demand charter from the Nigerian youth will be presented to the presidential candidates after which a Memorandum of Agreement will be executed with each of them.
“YAN has brought together over 170million Youths in Nigeria under the auspices of all the Apex Youth Organisations and Youth Leaders as well as Social Media Influencers of diverse ethnic, political and religious backgrounds to foster open communication and ignite dialogue for accountability with all the presidential aspirants of the upcoming 2023 general election on their plans for the youths.
“YAN is the future of Nigeria and cannot allow Nigeria to be regarded as a failed Nation. As of today, no single sector is working. Name it, Education sector? – strike every day; Power Sector?-No light, Security? -Terrible with uncountable death toll, Infrastructure?-Non, the little available No form of maintenance culture, Aviation? -Worse Service, Health? No one will treat you unless you pay first. In fact, all sectors have major issues and it is sad indeed.
“We, the youths of this nation have had enough. That is why we MUST YAN! We are tired and we have tried. We must use our numbers to speak with one voice and that is why EVERY SINGLE YOUTH, most of whom belong to one or two of the youth organisations that their leaders are here today have all decided to YAN to our leaders and the world letting them know that it is not going to be business as usual. Our future and our children’s future depends an YAN!!!
“We have had enough of all this unseriousness with our destiny. Going forward, youth inclusiveness in leadership role in government is mandatary. Leadership mentorship is very poor where the same leaders led 1, 2 and 3rd generation. So who will you hand over to #Youths MUST be carried along going forward. We must YAN O!!!
“The Youths have come together to take their future in their hand and Mouth to YAN. We the youths make up about 80% of the nation’s population, We must use our numbers to unite with one voice and hold whoever that will win the election accountable to deliver on their manifesto, at least for the sake of the future of the younger ones.
“We, the Nigerian Youths believe strongly that our diversity is our pride and living in peace should be above all. We therefore express our commitment to work together to build a better Nigeria, amidst our various ethno-religious, political and cultural diversities.
“With this communique, we commit ourselves to fostering intercultural dialogue and relations across all leaders regardless of party in Nigeria and also call on every Nigerian Youth to be enjoined to #YAN freely expressing their demands to their Preferred candidate using the YAN platform as a common tool to drive socio economic growth and sustainability for a better future,” the communique’ reads.