‘PDP rules don’t stop someone my age from being Youth Leader’
Weekly Trust: How did you feel after your emergence as the National Youth Leader of the PDP? Alhaji Garba Chiza: First, I want to thank the Almighty Allah, who in His power and wisdom, ensured my victory. We took our campaign rally at the North Central zone, consisting of Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Plateau and […]
Weekly Trust: How did you feel after your emergence as the National Youth Leader of the PDP?
Alhaji Garba Chiza: First, I want to thank the Almighty Allah, who in His power and wisdom, ensured my victory. We took our campaign rally at the North Central zone, consisting of Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states as well as the Federal capital Territory (FCT), where the position was zoned to. I also thank Niger State governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu who supported my candidature. Finally I thank my teeming supporters from the North Central zone who also worked for my victory.
I am also happy to have this opportunity to complete what I started about a year ago, which is to place the Nigerian youth on the path to self-reliance. Youths have a role to play in the development of this country, especially in the area of science and technology.
All said, I believe this job will be very easy for me because I served as the vice national youth leader of the PDP for three years and then the deputy national youth leader for one year. These four years have exposed me a lot to the problems faced by the youths which have since started addressing.
What plans do you have for the youth to give them a sense of belonging in decision making processes?
Like, I said earlier, I held the position of deputy youth leader of the party for one year and we were in the process of drawing our blueprint when our tenure expired. So what I will do is to continue from where we stopped. Already I have promised to improve the wellbeing of the youths in whatever way I can.
On the day we were sworn in, my blueprint was with me. We have also started working towards attaining our objectives. A list of unemployed youth across the 774 local governments of Nigeria is being compiled. Once that is done, we will ensure that they are engaged in good ventures so that the youths can take their pride of place in nation building.
Don’t forget, the Almighty has blessed Nigeria with both natural and human resources. It is because of this that the President asked us to come up with ways to tap into these potentials. Once the youths are meaningfully engaged, there will be reduction in some vices, like using the youths as political thugs.
Some see you as usurping a position reserved for the youths. They say you are 60. What’s your take on that?
I was very surprised when I heard people spreading rumours about my age. Some we even alleging that I am 60 as you mentioned. I actually expected them to try to confirm before spreading what is not true. Indeed, apart from you, no journalist came to me seeking clarification about my age. The fact is I am not 60 years old. I am also a full member of the PDP. And the party has not placed any age limit on those seeking any position under its platform. But the damage has been done.
The position of the National Youth Leader is just like that of a football coach and his players. The coach is only to guide the players and place them on a path he believes will lead them to victory. If they follow his guidance and win, the credit will go to all of them. I am a youth that is very passionate about his fellow youths, especially looking at the situation we have found ourselves. The youths seem to be without a sense of direction let alone contributing their quota to national development. So being in this position is an opportunity for the youths to participate in nation building projects. I want to assure you that they will have that chance.
So how old are you?
Well that is a secret. But I am not 60.
How do you intend to tackle those who said you are too old to be the PDP youth leader?
Just like I told you earlier, these people have damaged my reputation. People should not blame Peter for a sin committed by Paul. I will never respect journalists that reported such onesided reports. Nevertheless, that will not stop me from responding to questions from journalists, whether the published the report or not. Also, I can forgive those who have wronged me as long as they did not abuse my parents or threaten my life. This shows that I dont intend to take any action over what they did.
What is your message to idle youths?
You have raised a very important issue. In this time we are in, the youths should have no reason to be idle. It is important for youths to learn vocational skills and other small businesses to make them self-reliant. Idle youths are always vulnerable to manipulation by unpatriotic elements who use them to do all sorts of things from destroying peoples property to even committing murder at the slightest provocaton. No religion supports idleness. Most of the prophets of God were youths and they all had something doing. For example, Prophet Muhammad [SAW] and Prophet Shu’aib [AS] were engaged in business. Prophet Musa [AS] and Prophet Yaqub [AS] were herders. For Prophet Ayyub, he was a farmer. We are all expected to learn from them. Therefore, there is no excuse for anyone not to learn a trade or something to make him self-reliant. And no matter how small a business is, if one is committed and determined, one will definitely prosper.
What will you say to the PDP youths in Chanchage local government area of Niger State who organised this event in your honour?
When I heard about the plan to organise this event in my honour, I was surprised. But I was happy when I realised that people from different backgrounds were there. I see this as an opportunity to meet many people I have not seen for some time. This way we can continue consulting one another for advice so that we can all succeed at the end of the day.
What plans do you have for the youths of this country?
I want a situation whereby come 2015 campaign season people will look for political thugs and wont see any because the youths are doing something meaningful with their lives. You know the youths are the backbone of the society and therefore the fate of this country lies in our hands. We will do everything possible to see that this country develops. And like I told you, we have a blueprint to get the youths employed in various sectors of the economy.