The Speaker of the House of Representatives addressed the young people yesterday at the ‘Town Hall Meeting with Youth Groups and Organisations’ which he considered very important. This functions he has undertaken as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
As a father, the Speaker said he is driven by a desire to leave a better Nigeria for his children and their children. It is also his dream for all theyouths of Nigeria.
The Speaker said the purpose of the address was not to intimidate, entice, buy off, or stifle the constitutionally enshrined powers of free expression. Rather, it is to create a formal avenue of regular engagement, ensuring that your voices are heard at the highest levels of government. The Speaker message to you the youths was to assure then that their voice matters, and the government are listening.
The people have raised their voices, calling for an end to hunger, a reduction in the cost of living, an improvement in the minimum wage, and enhanced human capital development. These demands, though varied, converge on a single, powerful call for a better quality of life for all Nigerians.
The town hall meeting is a platform for frank, respectful, and constructive engagement the Speaker said. An avenue to be rebels with a cause rather than anarchists. You are responsible for proving your critics wrong by demonstrating a commitment to constructive engagement. In most cases, protests do not solve problems. If they are hijacked by hoodlums, the whole essence of the protest will be lost.
The Speakerurged, I want to urge shelve the youths to the proposed protest and also guaranteed that all the issues that has been brought forth are taken to the government and actions must be taken.
The Speaker said his office, in a bid to foster communication between the political establishment and the young people, shall offer four slots of Senior Legislative Aides to the various youth groups to serve as a link between the House and the Nigerian youth.
The conversations do not end here as they will be escalated to the highest authority. He is committed to taking the resolutions of this town hall to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, along with representatives of the youth organisations.
Together, we will ensure that the concerns are addressed and that we build a better Nigeria. Your voice matters, and we are listening.
It is crucial to understand that meaningful reform often requires time and consensus, particularly for issues embedded in statutory and constitutional frameworks. Incremental change is vital, and your engagement is essential the Speaker said.
The Speaker also urge all the stakeholders to work together on a sustained, step-by-step basis to address the challenges and achieve the Nigeria we all aspire to see.