Youths make up 60% of Nigeria's population so they can out-number the older ones in Politics & make decisions - Charles Baridam #ssmw2018

The ongoing South South Media Week 2018 which is taking place at The Vineyard, Port Harcourt held a session yesterday the September 26, 2018 tagged: YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS. The moderator for the event was Charles Baridam (Vitamin C), while the speakers were Oraye St. Franklin, The Special Adviser to the Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike on Social Media, and Juvachi Promise.

At the event, Oraye defined Politics as taking a position that affects you, while youths participation in politics is young people taking position in what affects them. He continued and said that young people will need to take a position that affects them, which means that they will need to be part of the political discussion, so that people will not make decisions on their behalf.

It was understood at the event that youths do not need to be a Governor of President to take part in Politics as a youth.

Juvachi stated that Politics should not be seen from the prism of partisan, it is taking a position from something that affects you. He continued and said that youths may not be where they want to be, but they can achieve something in the not too young to run bill which was signed into law by President Buhari recently.

Oraye stated that the not too young to run bill, has given the young people more opportunity to run for elective positions which was a dream come true as a result of lobbying, which is part of politics. He also stated that protests and rallies are part of politics, so it should be encouraged. Oraye also encouraged the youths at the event that they should do a research about the political candidates, and vote a candidate that holds their aspiration, then hold them to account, and speak out because their voice must be heard.

Oraye stated that for a political party to work out for youths, they must have a stake in that political party so that they can determine the direction of that political party, and they should get involved in the process, and they should also build capacity in order to add positive values.

In the event it was revealed that in developed countries, there is a system that does not make room for political thugs, so everyone is involved in politics, and the system will need to be replicated in Nigerian politics.

Charles Baridam (Vitimin C) stated that if youths which are between the ages of 25 - 40 which make up 60% of Nigeria's population are actively involved in Politics, they can out-number the older ones in Politics and take decisions, that is why youths must participate in Politics. Also politics is actually a way of putting something right in the society.