Federal character scheme undermines devt of Nigerian youths – CSO
Story from Abdulaziz JAURO, Yola
The Youth Empowerment and Social Development (YESD) has blamed the backwardness of Nigeria and youth underdevelopment on the creation of Federal Character Commission.
YESD Executive Director, Mr Musa Shallangwa, while addressing youths at a sensitisation and mobilisation training workshop in Yola said that the creators of federal character did not only destroy the development of the country but succeeded in pushing youths out of government.
The programme, he said, is sponsored by USAID and State2State for the implementation of Adamawa Inclusive Peace Agenda.
He said that Adamawa Peace Agenda is designed for the inclusion of youths, women, marginalised groups and people with disabilities in government’s appointment and jobs recruitment.
Musa who advocated for the abolishment of federal character indigenship, religion and ethnicity in the country’s constitution, pointed out that merit should be the focal point of appointing and recruiting workers.
“What has religion, ethnicity and indigenship has to do with performances of an individual? Nigeria is not moving forward because we focus on issues that cannot contribute to development of Nigeria”.
“Those stealing our money don’t they have religion?, do their religion recommend stealing of public funds, so why is religion, ethnicity and indigenship so important in making appointments and recruiting people that can work for the development of the country,” he queried.
The Executive Director pointed out that the only way out for Nigeria to regain its past glory is to place merit above parochial sentiments that have held the country hostage for several decades.
Musa, who urged youths to focus on personal development of their careers, noted that education alone cannot take them to the promised land, but self development in different skills can help them to discover themselves outside their courses of study.
He said that his CSO is operating in seven local governments in Adamawa State with focus on youths, women, marginalised groups and people with disabilities.
Also speaking at the event, Dr John Ngamsa, a lecturer with Moddibo Adama University Yola, said that youth restiveness will only end when youths are engaged in profitable ventures by government.
Ngamsa who blamed marginalisation of youths and women through money politics also pointed out that Nigeria democracy will continue to be moving on its knees until young people are engaged in the management of the country’s economy.
