What are they saying about the youth?

But voting leaders into office is way more than what they have to say shouting on parade grounds and rallying people around them. Before anyone rallies around a candidate they have to share their ideals.As informed, forward thinking youth, this election season, it is wise to go through all the candidates’ policies and see what […]

But voting leaders into office is way more than what they have to say shouting on parade grounds and rallying people around them. Before anyone rallies around a candidate they have to share their ideals.
As informed, forward thinking youth, this election season, it is wise to go through all the candidates’ policies and see what detailed plans they have to lead their people. With the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan, much of his policy is more or less visible. We can rate him to an extent based on the effects we see his decisions make in our environment. Although, a number of candidates may share the same answers to certain problems, you would also have to look at their proposed method of execution.
Take for example, the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. A number of interesting points from his policy document stand out. Under his policy proposition for employment generation and wealth creation a lot of the directives looked fairly familiar except for probably the most encouraging point there, “Discouraging nepotism in jobs placement.” For decades young Nigerians have resigned themselves to the fact that if they don’t  “know someone there” they would not get a certain job. It is not only seen in the employment process but even in the federal university application system. When the young people of this country make up 60% of the population how could everyone possibly “know someone?”
Leading by example is the most effective leadership. The former vice president obviously has a passion for the education of young Nigerians. This was probably what led him to found his own primary and secondary schools, and the American University of Nigeria (AUN).  Interestingly, is own children actually attend his schools!
In the educational and skills acquisition policy proposition section of his document he itemizes and emphasizes boosting educational standards and achievements. In a country like ours where we see so many children hawking for lack of better options Atiku proposes rewarding families that keep their children in the school system. This in a great way will reduce the need for families to send their children out to hawk and encourage them to continue to educate children instead. He also recognizes that outside of those still in the school system, public service workers and unskilled workers need to be retrained for the ever-progressing labor market.
Possibly the most relevant issue to young people today is Atiku’s policy proposition under citizenship and governance that mentions the devolution of powers to state and local governments. It is only at the local government level that youth less than 30 are eligible for candidacy. This is the opportunity the youth have been looking for to prove that they have what it takes to be exemplary leaders in this country. If Atiku can pull off devolution of powers there would be more opportunities for young people to become familiar with politics early enough to gain the necessary experience. The truth is that while change is what we all desperately crave, agents of change, key ideas that are brought forward by possible facilitators of change are what we should be on the lookout for. I will definitely be on the lookout for what other candidates have to offer the youth.
Okakpu wrote in from Abuja.