WorldStage– Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has advised that Nigeria must stop viewing young people as merely the leaders of tomorrow but urged for deliberate efforts to equip youth for active governance roles today.
He made the call while speaking in Abuja at the launch of the Leadership for Equity, Advocacy and Development (LEAD) Fellowship organized by the Gender Mobile Initiative.
Abbas was represented at the event by the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara.
He declared that young Nigerians can no longer be sidelined with the traditional leaders of tomorrow cliché and insisted they are vital, active participants who must help shape the nation’s trajectory immediately.
According to him, young citizens must understand how government mechanics operate and how public office functions.
He proposed that programmes targeting the youth must instill strong moral values, accountability, and respect for democratic systems.
He cautioned that without deliberate grooming and mentorship, young aspirants risk losing the capacity to deliver meaningful societal change.
The Speaker reaffirmed the House’s dedication to passing legislative reforms that lower barriers for marginalized groups. Abbas noted that young demographics – acting as innovators, entrepreneurs, and voters – have earned the right to influence contemporary policy decisions and urged Nigerian youth to move beyond rhetoric and begin to take deliberate steps.
