Group Commends Buhari Over ‘Not Too Young to Run Bill’

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – A group know as Unified Nigerian Youth Forum (UNYF) on Wednesday saluted the courage of President Muhammadu Buhari over his promise to sign in to law the ‘Not Too Young to Run Bill’, in few days to come.
UNYF said the promise by Buhari to sign the bill further shows his belief and trust on Nigerian youths, saying that the bill seeks to reduce the minimum age requirement for elective position into different political offices.
Abdulsalam Muhammed kazeem, who is the president of the group, in a statement said, “Our forum salutes the courage of Mr. President over his promise to sign in to law the ‘Not Too Young to Run Bill’, in few days to come.
“His promise to sign the bill furthers shows his belief and trust on Nigeria Youths as the bill seeks to reduce the minimum age requirement for elective position in to different political offices.
“We equally salute the efforts of the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly for passing the bill with a special appreciation to Senator Abdulazeez Nyako of Adamawa state who sponsored and ensure the speedy passage of the bill in the Senate despite all odds.
“The Nigerian National Youth Policy (2009) defines youths as those between the age of 18 -35 years, though for our 19 years of un-interrupted democracy no administration both (past and present) has given us the needed opportunity to serve despite all our efforts (youth) at all level during the electionary activities.
“As at May 29, 2015 we have less than 10 people between the age of 18 – 35 in the House of Representative which represent less that 4% of over 360 representatives in the Green Chamber, and in the Senate no single individual below the age bracket which represent 0%, while in the Executive the youngest was Kemi Adeosun (45years ) and Audu Ogbe remained the oldest over (70 years)
“As a forum, we are aware that leadership has nothing to do with age rather it’s with individual vision, passion, mission and ability to drive excellence.”
The statement added, “We strongly believed that most of us are competent enough to hold any public office including the highest public office (President) if for instance a 39 years old can be the President of France a super power nation.
“A 41-year old president of Belgium, a 28 and 32-year old Stephen Sang was elected Senator and Governor in Kenya in year 2013 and 2017 respectively, even the President of North Korea who seems to be threatening the peace of the world is less than 33 years when he assumed office, why not a 35-years old as the President of Nigerian and a 30 or 32 years old governor of Kaduna or Rivers state?
“We are not the leaders of tomorrow that will never and can never present itself to our generation; rather we are leader of today.”
The forum called on Nigerian youth to use the advantage of the promise made by Mr. President to seek for political offices at all level through decent and peaceful means not waiting for appointment as Technical Assistance, Personal Assistants, Special Advisers, Assistants without portfolio and other unproductive appointments.