BY BEN NWACHUKWU

As Nigerians anxiously await for the appointment of the minister for youth, some Nigerian youths under the aiges of Progressives Nigerian Youth Forum, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to give priority to youth development and employment in the country.

Bright Enuebuka, National Coordinator of the forum made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja when he led some youth to stage a rally at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat.

He explained that prioritising youth development and employment was necessary to address issues of youth restiveness and unrest in the country.

Enuebuka said the rally was to draw the attention of President Tinubu to the plight of Nigerian youths and the need to have in place a Youth Minister that was ready to work for the advancement of youths.

He added that the rally was also to drum support for Mr Oyakhilome Bello, APC USA National Youth Leader as Minister of Youth Development.  

The forum's national coordinator said gone were the days when older men were appointed as youth ministers who could hardly relate with youths nor understood their feelings.

He, therefore, appealed to Tinubu to consider appointing a vibrant youth with passion to impact and deliver as the Minister of Youth Development.

Enuebuka added that the country at the moment, needed the right persons to serve in all aspects for effective deliverance of true democracy dividends and the Renewed Hope mandate.

He said that appointments into political offices were determined by not just regional and ethnic balancing, but by the contributions of potential appointees to party development which, according to him included individual's contributions to the electioneering campaigns and eventual success of a political party.

He said Bello who hails from Edo State, was one such individual, adding that he is a politically focused businessman who had been representing the Nigerian youth both within and outside the country.

He described Bello as one of Nigeria's trail blazers with great passion to positively impact the lives of Nigerian youths, saying he was a leader per excellent who invested his all, including his resources to ensure Tinubu's electoral victory at the Feb. 25 presidential election.

He expressed optimism that as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and a social influencer, Bello would be able to redirect the mindset and mentality of Nigerian youths to positive thinking if made youth minister.

He added that as a youth himself who relates and understands the position of youths, Bello would be able to proffer better ways of how Nigerian youths could succeed in life and add value to the society.

Also speaking at the rally, Mr John Asuquo South-South Coordinator Nigeria Young Progressives Assembly (NYPA) recalled that Bello had been championing the interests and voices of young Nigerians, even as an individual through his NGO.

"His primary mission is to create a platform for open dialogue and empower Nigerian youths, using tested policies and strategies to spark positive societal change. 

"A mastermind in strategic planning and leadership, Bello skillfully navigated the complexities of different industries, achieving revenue growth that shattered expectations. 

"His forward thinking approach and commitment to integrity and trust worthiness resonated with critical stakeholders and made him a revered figure in the business world.

"Through the organisation, Bello had empowered the less previleged in the society, including giving scholarships," Asuquo said," adding that he would do much more as a youth minister.