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Ajakaye Urges Youths To Harness Power Of New Media For Positive Change
Ajakaye cautioned that the burgeoning youth population if left unattended, could pose both an opportunity and a threat to Nigeria’s future.
Ilorin, Kwara State– Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, has encouraged youth to leverage their numerical strength and digital connectivity to engage governments and advocate for quality representation, among other legitimate demands.
Ajakaye, speaking at the 24th Inauguration Ceremony and Launch of “The HERO Magazine”, produced by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Kwara State axis on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
He said youths in the country need to marry their ownership of the new media space with a strong presence in the ‘real world’ of participatory politics and mass engagement
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor stated that it is not sufficient for young people to merely agitate for proper leadership and good governance in the country without actively participating in the processes that select their representatives across the board.
Addressing concerns about the quality of political representation, Ajakaye challenged the youth to actively participate in electoral processes rather than abstaining.
He pointed out that apathy towards elections only perpetuates the dominance of inadequate candidates within the political sphere.
He commended the efforts of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State for his unprecedented support for young people but urged further action to create an enabling environment for education, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Ajakaye cautioned that the burgeoning youth population if left unattended, could pose both an opportunity and a threat to Nigeria’s future.
He, however, called on the youth organizations to advocate for sustainable solutions to pressing issues such as education, employment, poverty, and hunger.
The event was well attended by the State Commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr Mrs Mary Arinde; Commissioner for Youth Development Hon. Nafisat Buge; Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Affairs Comrade Wasiu Onidugbe; Rector, Kwara State Polytechnic Dr. Jimoh Abdul; Senator Khairat AbdulRazaq who was represented by Prof Saudat AbdulBaqi; leaders of various students’ unions; and dozens of students.
Arinde and Buge, in their separate remarks, said the administration is walking the talk by putting high premium on the welfare of students and trusting the young persons with leadership positions.
Buge appreciated the leadership of NANS in the state for documenting some of the achievements of the present administration for future references.
Onidugbe, for his part, said the honour done to Governor AbdulRazaq by NANS serves as another good testimony that their interest is well represented, adding that the recent payment of bursary to students by government is a typical example.