Former member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Efe Ofobruku has challenged youths in Nigeria to support the ones amongst them who are willing, competent and have the capacity to take up leadership positions in the country.
Ofobruku who represented Uvwie constituency twice in the state legislature spoke at a two-day capacity building workshop organised for members of the Delta State Youth Parliament held in Asaba, the state capital.
The workshop with the theme “Understanding Legislative Procedures And Youth Engagement”, was organised by the State Government through the Ministry of Youth Development.
Ofobruku in his presentation entitled: “Participatory Governance and Rural Appraisal, Social Mobilization Mindset and Value Reorientation”, reminded the youths of their strategic roles in nation-building and urged them to support those among them that possess leadership qualities to succeed the older politicians in the country.
He advised them to believe in themselves rather than depending on ‘stomach infrastructure’ from the old politicians who have money to buy their conscience during elections.
The former lawmaker now presently a Special Adviser to the State Governor on Legislative Matters described as unfortunate a situation where most youths in Nigeria when they see their own aspiring for elective positions they say to themselves “How much the guy get” or “Hope he hold him side”.
He, therefore, urged the youths to take the challenge of changing the narratives seriously as the nation was in need of positive development.
While saying that the legislature remains the key symbol of democracy, Ofobruku emphasised the need to expose the young parliamentarians to the basics of leadership and governance.
Ofobruku stressed that without participation on the part of the younger generation the same set of people will continue to dominate the political space.
“Without the young generation, the youths participating in the electoral process, without them vying for elective offices, the same set of people will continue to occupy the political space.
“Because there is no vacuum in leadership, If you(youths) don’t participate, the same people who have been participating will continue to participate and be changing positions and offices. Governor today, senator tomorrow; commissioner today, House of Assembly member tomorrow.
“Nobody will come and call you in your house to come and occupy an office. In the power arena, nobody gives you power, you struggle for it.
“It is not enough to be the ones snatching ballot boxes or falsifying figures for aspirants, no! You must get your voter’s identity card, you must join a political party, you must strive to be in the exco of the party so that you can become a delegate in the party primaries.
“When you are not in the exco, contest to be an Adhoc delegate because that is the means to determine who becomes the candidate of the party,” Ofobruku emphasised.
The issue of youths in the country aspiring for leadership positions through active involvements in politics took centre stage during the opening ceremony of the capacity building workshop with other speakers holding the same opinion that the youths must rise up to the challenge of getting themselves meaningfully involved in political activities.
The State Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga while commending the State Government for constituting the State Youth Parliament, noted that the capacity building workshop was aimed at exposing members to the tenets of Parliamentarianism.
Mr Egwuyenga urged the youth parliamentarians to see the platform as a school to enhance their knowledge and expose themselves to what it takes to enhance effective legislation.
In a goodwill message to the ceremony, the Chairman, House Committee on Youths and Sports Development, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Fred Martins, enjoined youths in the State to direct their energies towards useful ventures, including active participation in Politics.
Represented by the Member representing Isoko South Constituency 11 and Member of the Committee, Hon. Ferguson Onwo, the lawmaker urged the State Youth Parliamentarians to take advantage of the workshop to enhance their political dreams.
Hon Martins who described the initiative for the capacity building workshop as a noble idea stressed that there were much to learn about leadership, particularly at this age in the lives of the participants.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Legislative Matters and former member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Efe Ofobruku stressed the need for youths in the country to have positive mindsets towards governance.
Hon Ofobruku in his presentation entitled: “Participatory Governance and Rural Appraisal, Social Mobilization Mindset and Value Reorientation”, stated that the legislature remains the key symbol of democracy and commended the organisers of the workshop.
He maintained that there was the need to expose the young parliamentarians to the basics of leadership and governance, emphasising that one of the major problems facing the country was the recycling of old politicians.
The former lawmaker, therefore, urged the youths to take the challenge of changing the narratives seriously as the nation was in need of positive development.
Another resource person, Mrs Angela Onwaeze who spoke on the topic “Advocacy and Community Engagement Strategies”, said the country needs peaceful and creative youths to grow.
She stated that one of the means towards achieving the desired goals is strong advocacy.
The Speaker of the Delta State Youth Parliament, Hon. George Owhoekevwo and other youth parliamentarians who spoke commended the Delta State Government for the capacity building workshop which they said had exposed them to some key tenets of leadership.
