Reps seek age reduction for Govs, NASS

By Miriam Humbe

The House Committee on Youth Development rose from a 2-Day legislative retreat held in Lagos, with a resolve that with the progress achieved through the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ law, there’s an urgent need to ensure political inclusion of Nigerian youths in electoral and political processes for social transformation and national development.
To this end, the committee will leverage on the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution and the 2010 Electoral Act to advocate for amendments that guarantee the political inclusion of Nigerian youths.
The Committee may particularly propose legislation for further reduction in the age requirement for the positions of governorship and membership of the Senate which were not reduced in the previous constitution review process amendment.
The resolutions signed by Hon. Yemi Adaramodu Hon. Ari Mohammed Abdulmumin, Chairman, House Committee on Youth Development and his deputy as well as 8 others also stated that the committee will intensify its oversight on youth development to promote the social, economic and political inclusion of the young people of Nigeria.
It stated further: “That national development and integration is predicated on the youths who are the bedrock and building blocks of development. On this note, the committee frowns at the negative perception and stereotyping of young people.
“Against all odds, Nigerian youths are making very useful contributions to national development. With this in mind, the committee will henceforth, deploy its legislative powers and functions to ensure that all national development programmes, policies and projects accord priority to issues of youth development.
“That there is no legislative framework for the implementation of the new National Youth Policy 2019. Therefore, the committee will take legislation action to provide a legal framework for youth development to fast-track the implementation of the new national youth policy.
“Through legislation and oversight, the committee will ensure the constitution of the National Youth Development Council, National Council on Youth Development as well as promote legislation focused on the Strategic Thrusts and Policy Benchmarks of the National Youth Policy 2019.
“That unemployment and poverty remains a huge problem affecting Nigerian youth. Accordingly, the committee calls for an urgent declaration of state ofemergency on youth development in the country. In furtherance of this, the committee will take legislative actions to resuscitate Youth Development Centers across the country and promote vocational training to encourage youth entrepreneurship in the country.
“That the committee will ensure the inclusion of Nigerian youth in the design of youth development policies, programmes and projects”.