Brass—A former youth president of Twon Brass Kingdom, Engr. Ebiegberi Richson Aboh Saturday organised a one-day sensitisation campaign in Twon Brass, headquarters of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The youth leader in collaboration with the National Union of Twon Brass Students (NUTBS) as part of the campaign tagged: “Be Seen, Be Heard; Youth Participation for Development” staged a rally around the community before converging in Cameron-Ama in Twon Brass, where the campaign was hosted.
In her opening address, the president of the National Union of Twon Brass Students (NUTBS), Ikiomoye Princess Obuala said the campaign was organized to enlighten the youths of the kingdom on the importance of their participation in the development of Twon Brass.
She said more than any other demography, youths are burdened with the most central role of community development by virtue of their age and vigour.
“We put this programme together to enlighten the youths of Twon Brass on the importance of their participation in the development of our community.
“It is the responsibility of the youths in Twon Brass to develop the community as leaders of tomorrow,” she said.
On his part, the President of the Brass Federated Youth Council, Comr. Ayebatonbara Telimoye Stephen-Gow emphasized the need for Twon Brass youths to develop themselves to have the capacity to develop the community.
He, therefore, urged the youths of Twon Brass kingdom to be purposeful and take responsibility for their lives in order to positively impact their community.
Also Speaking, a convener of the Vote Not Fight Initiative in Bayelsa, Ayebakuro Odio said the most effective way youths can be seen and be heard particularly in this electioneering season is to participate in the process by coming out to vote on election day for their preferred candidates.
Voting for the right candidates during the elections will end bad leadership in the country, he added.
While chiding some youths for their indulgence in political apathy, Odio warned against electoral violence and the voter inducement phenomenon which according to him have characterised Nigerian elections of late.
The guest speaker and Bayelsa State focal person of YIAGA Africa, Comr. Tare Maureen Amananaghan in her keynote address stated that young persons can only make a positive impact in their community if they are responsible and useful first to themselves.
In her words: “As students, as young persons, we have to develop ourselves before we can develop our community because if we are not useful to ourselves, we can’t be useful to our community.
“The elections are around the corner, the only way you can be seen or heard or can make a difference is by participating.”
She said that by participating in the electoral process, they are indirectly participating in the development of Twon Brass, Bayelsa State and Nigeria.
“One question we should ask ourselves is: where are the young people in the scheme of things, in the decision-making process of Nigeria? They say we are the leaders of tomorrow, when is that tomorrow? That tomorrow is now!!
“Wherever we found ourselves, that future they told us, is now!! As a 25-year-old you can run for office, you can run as a member of the House of Reps.
“But I know that as young people we have a lot of limitations drawing us back most especially economic obstacles but regardless we can do a lot to develop our community, and country.”
“As young people, we should show leadership. Let your capacity be seen, let your competence be seen in whatever capacity you find yourselves,” she said.
The guest speaker charged young persons to participate in the forthcoming election and vote for their preferred candidates on election day.
“I want to charge us to participate during this election. We have the numbers as youths to show and tell Nigerians that we are the future.
“As young people, it is better we organize ourselves and let them see us. That is the only way they’ll see that we are capable. Particularly this election let us be seen and be heard by using our PVCs wisely to vote for the right people into office.”
