Youth participation necessary in any democracy —EU Ambassador

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi has identified youth participation as an important element in any democracy.

She stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, during #Readytorun conference organized by Yiaga Africa.

She said exclusion of young people can lead to crime and other vices.

“There is need for inclusion of young people in democracy. The young people we see have shown that they have what it takes to lead.

“The decline in the number of young people contesting is not good for us; that means the job is half done. We must continue to push forward to ensure inclusion of youths in democracy.

“We should also ensure women inclusion to give them a voice. A lot of women have demonstrated that they can do the job when given the chance. Our advocacy should ensure more women participation.

Speaking further, she urged the youths to provide effective leadership, sincerity of purpose and represent the collective interests of the people they are representing.

“On our part, we will continue to partner and ensure women and youth participation in democracy.”

Speaking earlier, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said the conference was a platform to jaw jaw with young people vying for political offices.

“This platform enable us to hear their policies and the plan they have when they emerge victorious.”

He expressed delight with the turn out but expressed worry that the number of youths contesting for elections in 2023 has dropped compared to 2019.