'Buhari, give youths appointments' - Party chieftain tells president

Timi Frank, the deputy national publicity secretary has decried the appointment of less than 10 per cent youths into public offices by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In an open letter titled "International Youth Day: A Wake-Up Call", to Nigerian youths on Thursday, August 11, 2016, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain recalled that Anthony Enahoro, Yakubu Gowon and Muhammadu Buhari all attained leadership positions at very tender age during the military era.

Frank noted that that the United Arab Emirate had a 22-year old minister of youth while the chairman of the ruling party in Kenya was just 31.

"I wish to urge the present administration to give the youths their rightful quota in appointments yet to be made as the youths are currently less than 10 per cent of the total appointment made so far", he said.

"We also need to leverage on our number to demand that ministers of youth affairs should, be appointed from of persons between 25-40 years of age", he added.

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Frank who called on Nigerian youths to massively support the #NotTooYoungToRun bill urged the National Assembly to ensure its passage into law.

He expressed optimism that the bill would lay a solid foundation for a desired paradigm shift in the governance of the country through equitable, fair and just youth representation.

He called on the government at all levels in the country to "immediately evolve policies towards a holistic investment in youth in order to make the saying that 'youths are the future leaders' a reality in our time".

Frank who urged youths to shun electoral violence said they should "as a matter of priority" sit with candidates seeking elective positions, beginning from 2019, to sign a pact aimed at ensuring 50 per cent youth participation in governance.

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