Okowa’s Aide Ossai Attends West Africa Youths Conference, Call on African Youths to Go into Politics

ABIDJAN/Cote D Ivoire: As West Africa Youths gathered at Abidjan, Cote D Ivoire to brainstorm on THE INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN PUBLIC LIFE at the West Africa Youths Conference organized by the United Nation Development Programme UNDP, they had been called to brace the trail, to engage in business and venture into politics for them to contribute to the development of the continent.

Making the call is Mr Ossai Ovie Success, one of Media Aide to the Delta State Governor who is currently representing Delta State and Nigeria at the West Africa Youths Conference.

According to him, the youths are the leaders of today and tomorrow and there is a need for all youths in West Africa Countries to venture into politics but before doing that, they need to be engaged.

“As West Africa Youths, There is a need for all to participate in politics by voting and contesting as youths, which is the only way we can participate in the decision making and policy formulation.

The time for youths to get involved in politics is now, we are no longer the leaders of tomorrow but today.

The involvement of youth in politics leads to civic engagement which is broader than political engagement because it can include service to the community through involvement in health, education and charity work. Political engagement is a more targeted aspect of civic engagement and can be expressed through voting, participating in political demonstrations and signing petitions for specific issues.

In order to have better “young” citizenship, politics is one of the best tools.

In countries of dictatorship, the younger generation’s fresh ideas and new leadership can help to overcome authoritarian practices.

Protests led by youth leaders can force autocratic leaders to step down from power, allowing these youths to become part of formal decision-making.

He told the conference the efforts so far made to make the youths part of the government process, as he stressed that they are part of the decision process.

“The youths are part of decision making and the youths are well empowered”.

“As at today, the Governor of Delta State have empowered over 40, 000 youths and half of his cabinet members are youths “.

This is what we need in West Africa Countries, We need youths to be involvement in the decision making. We need youths in every arms of government he said, while calling on West Africa Leaders to give Youths the chance to be in Government.