Former member of the House of Representatives, Congressman Bimbo Daramola has saluted saluted Ekiti youth for taking the option of robust engagements as offered by Governor Oyebanji at different times.
He disclosed that the intent and purpose of the promoters of International Youth Day( IYD) hasxbeen achieved with the passage of Not Too Young To Rule Bill and the appointment of many youth into different levels and tiers of government.
Speaking at the occasion to commemorate this year’s International Youth Day organised by the Ekiti State Chapter of the Nigeria Youth Council, Daramola said young people must now take responsibility for their future, and become more aware, intentional, deliberate, circumspect, conscious and discerning.
” I saluted Ekiti youth for taking the option of robust engagements as offered by Governor Oyebanji at different times, that is the way to achieve more results , and thank God the Oyebanji administration is so conciliatory and committed to getting all hands on the plough in the larger interest of our state.”
The former legislator used the occasion to thank the youth of Ekiti for not hitting the streets as many others from other states when called upon to do so during the last endbadgovernance protest.
He also posited that the luxury of blaming the older foxes for all the woes and misery of Nigeria will not be tenable if the young people who are now “included” and “engaged” are still carrying on with the DNA of the so well and roundly maligned older generation!
“There is a need for a systematic overhaul that will ensure that the environment that threw up the older generation that they call all sorts of names from selfish to self centered does not become and remain the same system that will throw them up, and if the stays quo remains, we will just succeed to have more of the same, and granted the advantages that the new age and the opportunities inherent it, the new generation of leaders and leadership may be worse than their forebears!
“I charged them to read Joel 2 vs 28, and to know that our elders have had their dreams and those dreams did not take us too far, it’s about time to switch gear to visionary young people who will choose to do things on account of great visions not dreams that may be blurry.
“A factionalized, entitled youth body motivated by “perspe” only singing ALUTA CONTINUA in their mouths and not from the depth of their souls will only take our society to thesame self serving bus stop that the older generation they blame all the time have brought our society and nation to.
“I used the opportunity to to thank the youth of Ekiti for not hitting the streets as many others from other states when called upon to do so during the last endbadgovernance protest.
“As I said, the young people must be more detailed and intrinsic in their thoughts, for instance what is the nexus between hunger and flag of Russia as displayed in some states during the protest? Or the ones saying “ ku rege kudi we we” i.e reduce the cost of igbo ( cannabis)!
“it clearly showed that motives were different, it takes a discerning people to read that, and I think Ekiti youth did, for which I celebrate their recourse to discretion not to hit the streets for wrong motives and reasons that are not well defined or masked.
“Yes we all agree that the situation in the country is not as desired yet, but we cannot make it better if we decide to hit the streets and offer some persons the opportunity to loot the limited and countable businesses we have here.
“The same places where some of our young ones get modest means of livelihood, our young people were mindful of the fact that if the protest , desirable as it may be, could have been hijacked and we may just be counting body bags of innocent lives now
“We will only hit the streets on our own terms , fight in the collective and corporate interests of our state, and if the administration remains amenable and objective, showing fidelity to growth and well being of our people, then we will continue to engage, that seemed to me like what Ekiti youth spoke loudly to the world for which I celebrate them, it is not cowardice, absolutely not.
“It is for this reason that I decided to personally show up at the event to say Thank You to you my Ekiti Youth for the exercise of high restraint and deep circumspection in their judgment. As we ask government to do more to alleviate our pains in the short and long run.
“I have no doubt that we can build on this and I urge you to continue to deepen your constructive engagement with the Oyebanji administration that i believe appreciates you and offers you a hand of cooperation in the larger interest of our state and people under the watch of this amity inclined Governor Biodun Oyebanji.”
The International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations that takes place on August 12.
The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. The first IYD was observed on 12 August 2000.
This year’s theme according to NYC, Ekiti State, the organisers is titled “YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN DEMOCRATIC PROCESSAND CIVIC ACTIVITIES.
The event drew a number of dignitaries from AVM Ojuawo, member House of Representatives, represented by his aide, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police represented by his ACP, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists and a number of Government officials of the Ekiti State Government and without leaving out Mrs Deji Fasuan, the wife of our foremost leader, father and one of the patriarchs of Ekiti State creation.