Former Jigawa State Governor and a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido, has expressed concern over the increasing use of Nigerian youths as political labourers by politicians.
Lamido spoke on Sunday in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
The former governor said he deliberately chose to meet with
youths instead of organising a conventional gathering involving political
elites, saying the decision was informed by his concern over the future of the
country and the challenges facing younger Nigerians.
He said political leaders had failed to provide adequate
mentorship and character formation for the younger generation.
“We, the leaders, have abandoned Nigerian youths in terms of
moulding them, character formation, inculcating brotherhood, sisterhood, human
empathy and all those values that make human beings.
“The question is, why can’t we give the younger generation
what we were given when we were young?
“In the next 35 years, we will not be here. Why, then, are
we using our future, our youths, as political machinery and political
labourers?” Lamido asked.
He expressed concern that youths were increasingly being
exposed to political activities characterised by thuggery, hatred, abuse and
disrespect, rather than constructive engagement based on ideas and principles.
According to him, some politicians mobilise young people
around individuals instead of political principles, a development he said could
create unnecessary divisions among youths.
Lamido urged youths across political parties, including the
PDP, APC and ADC, not to regard one another as enemies, stressing that they
shared common aspirations and faced similar challenges.
“Whether you are in PDP, APC, ADC or any other political
party, you share so much in common as a youth. Therefore, while you are in your
own political party, you should not be enemies,” he said.
He called on political leaders and other stakeholders to
invest in the intellectual, moral and leadership development of young Nigerians
through education, employment opportunities, mentorship and proper character
formation.
Lamido said previous generations benefited from guidance
provided by political leaders, elders, religious institutions and other
societal structures, which helped shape their values and leadership abilities.
He urged the present generation of leaders to provide
similar opportunities for young Nigerians, saying the future of the country
depended on how effectively youths were prepared to assume leadership
responsibilities.
The former governor also called on youths from the North,
South, East and West to recognise their shared interests and responsibilities
as members of the same generation.
He said Nigeria could achieve sustainable development if its
youths were adequately prepared for leadership based on competence, integrity,
tolerance and national responsibility.
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