The meeting started exactly at 10:25am with Comrade Nebo Collins welcoming every delegate. The opening prayer was done by Ogbu Jonathan Chukwuemeka.
The meeting was geared towards an understanding that as a coalition, we are not backing any political agenda/party but we are raising consciousness to sensitizing the people and youths to doing the right thing.
Comrade Nebo Collins who declared this statement to the delegates enjoined every group to independently carry out that assignment of raising consciousness and sensitizing the people of Enugu to doing the right thing.
Comrade Nebo Collins introduced to the coalition a proposed Bill "NotTooYoungToRun" which groups have been advocating that it should be passed into law. He further explained that the Bill seek to raise awareness on the state of youth rights running for elected offices in Nigeria. Also advocate for right of young people running for elected offices and inspiring young people in Nigeria to run for elected office. He said that such is planned to be achieved via the reduction of the age limit for elected office in Nigeria as to enable youth participation in the Nigerian politics.
Nebo Collins concluded with the demand for the introduction of the delegates while he also threw the floor open for views and opinions of the delegates.
Emeka Hyginus, concord with the bill making reference to the present health condition of the president of Nigeria which he attributed to be partly old age problems. He cited the cases of so many stakeholders who have been in public service even at their old age without willing to pass on the banner to the young ones who are the edifice of strength and vigor. He discredited the young ones for okaying the situation and wrapping the young ones actions as been cheap as a wrap of Okpa and a bottle of mineral, an Enugu popular morning meal for strength. This he cited with reference to the usage of the youths during elections. He attributed the youths challenge to the fear of insecurity which he called “Smart Inferiority Complex”. He suggested that while we are considering NotTooYoungToRun, we should also consider NotTooPoorToRun as the economic hardship has rendered many of the youths impotent to the high price tagged forms for elected offices by political parties.
Ogbu Jonathan in his speech laid emphasis on the participation of youths in public office and elected positions making reference to Gowon and his likes who were at young age ranging from 25-30 years in top elected offices in Nigeria in the far years and asked that such opportunity be giving to the youths of today. He equally lamented that even those whom the privileges has been given to did bastardized youth representation by some who were involved. He concluded with an advice of different groups taking the proposed Bill down to zones, wards, street and where ever youths are found and much more, youths shouldn't allow themselves to be used by politicians.
Chukwuebuka made us understand that in the bid for reformation we are responsible for ourselves. He said this while making reference to having better youth representatives even when the bill is passed. He advised that we begin by influencing those within our reach.
Kanu Christian, highlighted his dissatisfaction and disappointment to the wrong acts that have been passed on to the younger generation. He cited an example of a questionnaire he put forth to youths during his days of bachelor's degree "That if given the opportunity to be the president of the nation for a week and after which it will be taken off your reach, what will you do in the position? He got an answer that was not a shock to him because the answer is what has been passed down to the young generation. The answer was in consonance with looting of public funds. He further told the house that the country only enjoyed independence for six years and the rest has been a cry by motherland for a return to her foundation and her call started in 1978 with the present national anthem. He advised that we should do more of mind reformation which will also lead to political reformation.
Comrade Ozor, disclosed that in his bid for youths inclusion he got a shocker where he was told that the youths are politicized and factionized. He expressed that the order of the day against the youths is in consonance to conspiracy theories. He concluded with reminding us that our future is in hand.
Ogbodo Emmanuel attributed the usage of the youths by politicians to wrong mentality carried about by the youths. He stated that we should refute the peanuts given to us by politicians during elections and make them understand that the future of Nigeria is far important than those peanuts.
Victor Chidiebere added that until the youths move from disunity which is handed over to them, they cannot win this race.
Emmanuella agreed with the fact that the slogan of “NotTooYoungToRun” should be imbibed in us. She cited a quote that “in Africa, we associate wisdom with age”, noting that the effect of the quote has contributed to non inclusion and participation of the youths in politics.
Florence, who affirmed that her love for Nigeria has been the trigger for her involvement. She advised that we should not sale our votes for peanuts and recommended we keep praying for our leaders and remain patriotic.
Chisom, reminded that a problem is tackled when its root is known. She disclosed that youths are eluded of ideas and knowledge as a result of being after the peanuts they can get and enjoined the youths to come out from being self-centered. She suggested that the Bill should be NotTooYoungToRun in everything and not just politics.
Evangeline stated that she is not pleased with the non participation of youth groups in Enugu state. She further expressed her displeasure on some youth leaders using their fellow youths ignorantly exploiting their hungered as a bate for political appointments when those they worked for get into office. She concluded with this injunction, “Man Know Thyself”.
Comrade Nebo Collins on the conclusive part expressed his gratitude to everyone who made it to the meeting and for their contributions and suggestions. He stated that though so many youth groups have been politicized, we should explore and employ the tool of massive sensitization of the people of Enugu state. This we must do as a coalition.
The meeting came to an end at 2:10pm with photo shoots.
