Kingsley Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has blamed the failure of government for a turnaround of the nation’s strength and asset into threat.
In a statement, yesterday, titled: ‘The Future of Nigeria’s Youth, Promise of a Moghalu Presidency’, the presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said: “Nigeria’s young men and women face many fundamental challenges. The strength of their numbers (nearly 70 per cent of our population) is supposed to be the country’s most productive asset; but the failure of governance has turned this into a threat, and the #EndSARS movement has witnessed efforts to silence the voices of our young people, physically and on social media including the ‘Twitter ban’.
“A year ago, Nigerian youth organised themselves in the peaceful #EndSARS protests to demand freedom from police brutality. Quite sadly, the bravery of the young compatriots was met with even more brutality. Like millions of fellow citizens, and indeed the youth, today, I especially remember those who paid the ultimate price for freedom during the protest. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten or in vain.”
In solidarity with their struggles, Moghalu unveiled his five-point agenda for the youth, if elected as President in 2023. They are start-ups funding scheme, transitional unemployment support, inclusive governance, leadership mentoring and intergenerational equity council, which will be a policy advisory body that will be tasked with embedding the youth in the economy and governance of the country.
“The council will work to bring into reality the promises of the National Youth Policy. As part of its responsibilities, the council will memorialise the 2020 #EndSARS protest and restore civic engagement and the right to protest as provided for in the Nigerian constitution,” he said.
