By Adeyinka Adeniran
A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and Convener, Youths and Women in Politics Sensitization, Farmer Omolara Svensson Busari has charged Nigerian youth to take active part in politics and to use it as a practical tool to effect the desired change they yearn for.
She gave the charge while addressing hundreds of youths of the party in Egbeda Constituency 2 at the weekend during a youth sensitization program held at the Egbeda APC Secretariat, Ibadan.
The event, tagged, “Youth in Politics sensitization 2.0,” is the second edition to be organized and the fifth of a broader programme for Youths and Women in Politics Sensitization to be convened by Busari.
According to the Convener, the program themed “Understanding our role in active politics”, is aimed at training, empowering youth, strengthening democracy, breaking barriers, building leaders, and balancing power, designed to equip young Nigerians with the knowledge, confidence, and structure necessary to drive democratic change from the grassroots to the national stage.
Busari in a keynote address titled “Seeds of Change: Young Nigerians and the Future of Democracy”, charged the youth to stop seeing politics as a distant theatre and begin treating it as a practical tool to change everyday life.
“Start local, school boards, market unions, ward councils, then move up. Train, mentor, fund, protect, and hold elected officials accountable.
Busari, who hails from the community, admonished the youth to make themselves available for mentorship, be confident and not to be intimidated by political thugs.
She also emphasized the need for youth orientation to set clear priorities, embrace mentorship opportunities, and resist any form of political violence.
Speaking shortly after the event, the Convener said the program has enabled participants to have better understanding of who they are, the value they carry and the role they must play in active politics on order to have a better Nigeria, adding “we are already seeing the impact of the sensitization that we are doing.”
She changed the youth to be intentional about discovering themselves learn, unlearn, re-learn, ask questions and find a worthy mentor with a track record of how they become what they are today.
“Be intentional about being part of decision making in the country and most importantly, discover yourself, by the time you are done discovering yourself, you will understand why you have an important role to play in active politics”, she concluded
Speaking on the theme: “Understanding our role in active politics”, the guest speaker, Bashorun Biliaminu Ogundele noted that the country needs young vibrant youth at the country’s helm of affairs who can inject new innovations into the system saying, “we cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results”
He urged the youth to mobilize themselves and be actively involved in the political process in their various wards and constituents and also encourage others to participate.
“There is need for our youth to take over. General Mohammadu Buhari died shortly after he left office when Nigeria needed him most, if after he served as military head of state, he retreated and assumed an elder statesman position counselling and moderating national affairs, the event that led to his death might not happen.’
A leader of the party and the Elegbeda of Egbeda, Alhaji Suara Sule lauded the initiative which he described as first of its kind in the area.
He advised the youth of the area to be alive to their responsibilities and participate actively in the political process for the progress of the community.
The Youth Leader of the local government, Hon Lateef Abiodun and the Youth Leader of Ward 8, Adewole Elijah, described the event as a liberation for the youth saying it had already begun inspiring a cultural shift among youth in the area.
