By John Ikani
President and founder of ANAP Foundation, Atedo Peterside has called on Nigerian youths to particpate in political activities stressing that their involvement would change the country’s trajectory for good.
Peterside who made the call during an interview on Channels Television’s Newsnight on Monday, said Nigeria cannot afford to have its youthful population disinterested in the nation’s affairs and voting process.
According to the former Cadbury Nigeria Chairman, a situation where youths do not show interest in elections would amount to selling their birthrights to politicians.
“Many more people have to get involved in that activity. A large volume of educated youths deciding to opt out, saying I have no more interest, I won’t vote and register. When you do that, you have surrendered your birthrights to the politicians who get elected,” he said.
“On getting into office, he can do whatever he likes because you have told him you are not interested. So, you are not interested in your own future. So why do you expect him to deliver on your own future?
“I think more people will get politically active. It may not necessarily be businesspersons. The people whose destiny is on the line are the youths. They are the ones who must take part in the entire process from registering to voting and staying abreast of matters arising.”
Reacting to the pressing issue of fuel subsidy and its projected removal by June 2022, the Founder of Stanbic IBTC said it is the job of leaders to present convincing arguments to a large number of people who might otherwise have opposed the removal of the subsidy on the price of petrol.
According to him, such arguments must be compelling enough to make the people accept the choice of a painful but long-term beneficial decision.
This is even as he explained that currently, some of those making the argument and are in leadership positions give confusing signals.
