Take The Bull by Its Horn

Unarguably Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world, if not one of the richest in human capital and natural resources. The huge population of over 180 million people is credited to youth bulge in the country. Young people (aged 18 – 35 years) account for more than 60 percent of Nigeria’s population. While over 1.8 million people enter the job market annually, a recent survey by Jobberman indicate that 47 percent of University graduates in Africa’s largest economy are unemployed, as graduate turnout outspace graduate employment rate over the years.

The political space from time have seen the engagement of young people pivoting impacting social change. For instance, Nigeria’s pre-independence era saw young and vibrant Nigerians as key actors for the independence call including the likes of Dr. Herbert Macualey, Ernest Ikoli, Chief H.O Davies, J.C Vaughan, Oba Samuel Akinsanya, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. In fact, Anthony Enahoro at age 30 moved the motion for Nigeria’s independence in 1953.
 

Forward to the emergence of democracy in 1999. The 18 years of practicing democratic governance in Nigeria is unequivocally a testimony of youth in passive political electioneering. All along these years, there has been repeated cases of alienation and lack of platforms for youth, to be a voice at key decision-making instance, particularly, on issues directly affecting the youth constituency.

On the part of young people, we spent time on talkathon than to act-the-talk -such flimsy attitude we borrowed from our leadership. Nevertheless, the youth have come to realize the need to advance from wailing and act instead. This decisiveness birthed the consciousness to take on a coded intellectual war, hence, the emergence of the #NotTooYoungToRun Campaign championing the #NotTooYoungToRun and/or Age Reduction Bill. The Bill seek to reduce the constitutional age requirement to run for elective offices in Nigeria as well as mainstream independent candidacy into Nigeria’s electoral laws. The Bill with gazette number HB. 544 seek to alter sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), to reduce the age qualification for the Office of the President from 40 years to 30 years; Governor 35 to 30; Senate 35 to 30; House of Representatives 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly 30 to 25. 

It is widely accepted that “leadership is a call to responsibility”. Having youth become actively involved in core decision-making and ensuring accountable implementation is a direct cure to the ticking time-bomb of youth unemployment and restiveness in Nigeria.

 One would attest with me that jobs in the 21^st century are not a functionality of industrial revolutions. We have witnessed the Indian investment in Information and communication technology boost job creation. China also have invested appreciably in sports to boost youth employment while tourism and Agriculture are hubs for expansive entrepreneurial development. These area viable sectors but with poor investment in Nigeria.

Presently, Nigeria policies do not promote access and lack manpower in the 21st century job sectors. This deficiency could be attributed to the fact that ideologies of most politicians and policy makers are yet to conceptualize opportunities embedded in the 21st century jobs largely because they are not directly wearing the shoes and would therefore, not know where it pinches. Therefore, young people in Nigeria now and urgently requires youth representation at all key decision-making platforms, who understands the needs and dynamism of the 21st century Nigerian.

 To an advantage, the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill now capped as “Age Reduction Bill” will;

• Promote inclusion: for democracy to thrive, a level playing field must be allowed for all citizens. Thus, the Bill will guarantee equal opportunity and active participation of youth (who are over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population) in political process. Thereby promoting franchise in Nigeria’s democratic system.
• Enhance democratic development, by harnessing the resourcefulness of young people for improve governance and development at local, state and national levels
• Deepen intergenerational dialogue: this is not to push out the adult but to promote knowledge transfer and build youth-adult partnership.
• Reduce political violence and instability; this is true in the sense that opening up the political space for youth to contest will increase patriotism quotient, instill national pride in youth and reduce incidences of youth involvement in violence and other vices.
• Enhance competitive politics; with this Bill passed, the dynamism, energy, innovation and resilience of youth will add up to competitive and issue-based politics in Nigeria, as well as
• Ensure right to political participation.

 Act Now:

Passing a Bill to law requires various stringent legislative processes.

The Bill has successfully scaled through the different legislative processes and currently transmitted by the National to all State House of Assemblies in Nigeria.

The Legislators at State levels, young people, all stakeholders interested in the development of young people, curbing crime and restiveness, building a peaceful and cultured society as well promote diversified entrepreneurship and innovations, must rise in one voice to support the passage of the "Age Reduction" clause (Not Too Young To Run) in the current constitution amendment process.

This is historic and a generational legacy that we cannot afford to let it slip down the drain. Let us stand up enmasse and support the passage of the "Age Reduction (#NotTooYoungToRun) Bill. Join the campaign Groups in all the 36 State across Nigeria

Long Live the #NotTooYoungToRun

Long Live Nigerian Youth

Long live all supporters of this Bill