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Odomero Igbodo, Enugu,
An industrialist and Founder, Baywood Foundation, Chris Baywood Ibe has advocated 30% affirmative action in appointive and political positions for youths in Africa.
He made the call in Enugu at a national conference with theme ”Harnessing The Potentials Of The Youth In Nigeria In Support of the African Union and ECOWAS Peace Architecture; organised by the Baywood Foundation on partnership with the ESUT institute for peace, conflict and development studies and the West Africa Peace Building Network (WANEP).
The advocacy for youth inclusion has assumed a global dimension considering the enormous potentials imbued in young people, which when harnessed could serve as catalyst for rapid social-economic development.
It is in the light of this that well-meaning individuals, foundations, and international organisations as well as academic institutions are forming strategic alliance to re-channel the energies of young people into positive ventures.
Speaking at the event Baywood Ibe who facilitated ESUT Institute for Peace, Conflict and Development Studies expressed concern over lack of deliberate policy by government to address youth problems across the African continent.
He said the condition of the present day youths was a time bomb waiting to explode.
The business mogul, said all African States and Governments must urgently rise up and save the future of the continent stressing that Nigeria was not spared as the neglect of the youths had worsened the security situation with kidnappings, suicide bombings, and other organized crimes on rapid increase.
“This is no longer time for talks without action”, he declared, adding that “we must now take action without talking.
“We would be in trouble in the near future if we fail now to put the youths on the right track and that is why I am calling for a State of Emergency on the youths, a legislative action, a policy, affirmative action by African Nations and Governments.”
Ibe who condemned the use of youths as political thugs, advised that “there should be a legislation ceding at least 30 percent of political positions to the youths. When you appoint a 70-year-old man as youth leader, what do you expect the person to do?
“So, this 30 percent affirmative action should be legislated upon; that is what Baywood Foundation is championing. If we don’t prepare the youths for today, tomorrow will come and we will all have problem.
“The youths should say no to political thuggery, kidnappings, or to see politics as a career; you must have something else you are doing before venturing into politics.
“We can all see that there is crisis here and there and those involved are the youths. If you look at those involved in kidnappings, suicide bombings, they are youths; they are venting their anger.
“We have seen that from the East to the South, the West, to the North and all over Africa, the youths are endowed. They are not lazy; they smart, all that is required is to put them into the right use.
“God has chosen people like us to make sure that we give back to the society, to make sure that we have a peaceful society. Not may has the interest to invest their time and resources into this very important venture.
“But I must warn that if we all sit on the fence, the time will come, soon and very soon, these youths will fail and they will see us as part of their problems. So, we are changing the narrative, insisting that they should be involved in political authority, that is what we see missing in Nigeria,” Ibe further stated.
Vice-chancellor ESUT, Professor Luke Anike said the theme of the conference: Harnessing the Potentials of the Youth in Nigeria in support of the African Union and ECOWAS Peace Architecture” is apt stressing that insecurity has become most worrying challenge to the wellbeing and survival of Nigeria.
“This heightened security concern is also very visible in Nigeria,” he said, noting that “in the past decade or more, Nigeria has had to contend with devastating security breaches leading to huge loss of lives and destruction of critical national infrastructure.
“Presently, Nigeria is grappling with a broad spectrum of security challenges. There is the Boko Haram insurgency in the North, the Niger-Delta Militancy in the South-south and the ubiquitous Fulani herdsmen.”
He said the various self-determination groups, especially in the Southern part of the country were also key factors of concerns, adding to “issues bordering on kidnappings, armed robbery, suicide bombers, among others.”
“In real terms, we have become endangered even in our work-places, homes and markets”, he stressed.
Anike said it was then necessary for governments and policy makers to constructively harness the large youth population “into positive dividends rather than allow it to become a demographic time bomb.”
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi represented by his senior special assistant on special duties, Uwakwe Azikiwe said his administration has contributed immensely to positive engagement of young people in the state in productive ventures.
Ugwuanyi said deliberate efforts have been made to ensure a secured future for the youths through investment in education, empowerment and employment creation.
Giving an overview of the event, director of institute for peace, conflict and development studies, ESUT, Professor Felix Asogwa said concerted effort should be taken by critical stakeholders to harness the energy of youths whom he described as drivers of peace and security
In separate goodwill messages, representatives of West Africa Peace Building Network (WANEP), African Union Youths in Peace Building Initiative and ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework including Chukwuemeka Eze and Mfrekeobong Ukpanah re-affirmed their continued support for policies and programmes tailored towards youth inclusion.
The conference featured investiture and induction into the fellowship of Nigerian society for peace studies and practice.
