BBYDI Calls On President Tinubu To Review Youth Minister Selection

The Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), a youth-centred non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for good governance and policies that prioritize youth inclusion, passionately urges President Tinubu to reevaluate his decision, especially for portfolios that directly concern the youth.

BBYDI, In a statement released on Saturday, August 19, 2023, by the Director of Communications, Sanni Alausa-Issa, said the critical importance of ensuring that the authentic voices of the youth are not only heard but also respected within his administration to ensure that the youth’s voices are genuinely heard and make it a reality.

According to the statement, President Tinubu, in his inaugural speech, said the youth will feature prominently in his government.

Meanwhile, the National Youth Policy in Nigeria, says a youth is an individual between 18-29 years while the African Youth Charter defines it as anyone between 15-35 years.

The statement read; “Therefore, appointing a minister outside the youth demographic contradicts the president’s claims and raises questions about the administration’s intentions. While age should not be the sole determinant of a person’s qualifications, it is crucial to have representatives who can relate to and understand the unique challenges faced by our nation’s youth.

Mr Issa stated that Youths should be considered for ministerial positions, especially for portfolios that directly concern them.

“As an organisation that believes in the power and potential of the youth, we emphasise that a government that genuinely seeks to address the concerns of its young citizens must make youth-focused choices in its leadership and policies. This includes appointing individuals who understand the youth’s aspirations, struggles, and innovative ideas and possess the energy and dedication to drive meaningful change.

The organization further explained that Young people are the future of our nation and deserve a seat at the decision-making table to ensure policies that will positively impact their lives and contribute to the growth and development of the country.

“We call upon President Tinubu to reconsider the current appointment and take proactive measures to appoint more young individuals to key positions within his administration.

“We urge the government to initiate a genuine dialogue with youth representatives and organisations to understand their needs, aspirations, and concerns. By actively involving the youth in policy discussions and implementation, the government can foster a sense of ownership and collaboration, leading to a brighter future for all,” he added.