The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr Solomon Dalung, has urged the National Assembly to ensure quick passage of the “Not too Young to Run” bill to facilitate the inclusion of youths into the political system.
Dalung made the call in Abuja on Monday at the 2nd sitting of the 3rd Session of the Nigerian Youth Parliament at the National Assembly Complex.
The Parliament was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the National Assembly.
Dalung, who was represented by Mr Abdul Razak Salawu, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry said the youths were a significant part of the nation’s population.
He said that the numerical strength of the youths was yet to be reflected in their level of involvement in decision-making process.
He said that the passage of the bill would bring to the fore the rights of the youths to participate and influence issues that affected their lives.
“I must appreciate the National assembly for all the support, especially for the proposed internship programme for the youth parliamentarians.
“I also appreciate your efforts in ensuring that activities of the Nigerian youth parliament were captured as a sub head in the national budget.
“This will definitely strengthen the parliament to achieve more in the areas of regular sittings, effective internship and study visits among others.
“The Nigerian youth parliament inaugurated in 2008 serves as a veritable platform for young people to learn legislative processes, procedures and other tenets of democracy.
“I therefore, urge the youth-friendly leadership of the National Assembly to quickly facilitate the passage of the bill to open a floodgate of the youths into the Nigerian political system,” Dalung said.
He said that the ministry would continue to collaborate with the National Assembly in advocating social inclusion and effective participation of the youths in the nation’s political and economic development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Youth Parliament’s first session was inaugurated by late President Umaru Yar’Adua on Aug. 25, 2008.
The parliament prepares Nigerian youths to be part of decision making process of government and have adequate representation in governance.
In Dec. 2015, Dalung inaugurated the 3rd session of the parliament at the National Assembly Complex. (NAN)