The Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has expressed strong opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of a 30-day National Youth Conference, which aims to address the pressing challenges facing Nigerian youth.
In his Independence Day address, President Tinubu emphasized the need for this conference to foster dialogue and empower young people, who make up over 60% of the population, in nation-building efforts.
Concerns Raised by CDHR
Debo Adeniran, spokesperson for the CDHR, criticized the initiative, stating that it would not yield positive outcomes. He argued that the youth have already articulated their demands clearly and that the government should focus on addressing issues raised during significant protests like #EndSars and #EndBadGovernance. Adeniran further asserted that organizing such a conference would be a misuse of limited resources.
Key Points from President Tinubu’s Announcement
Purpose of the Conference: The conference is intended to create a platform for young Nigerians to discuss and develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice.
Youth Participation: Tinubu assured that the modalities for the conference and delegate selection would involve consultations with youth representatives.
Goals: The president highlighted that empowering youth voices in policy-making is essential for building a better future.
CDHR’s Recommendations
Adeniran suggested that instead of holding a conference, the government should:
Reintroduce fuel subsidies to alleviate economic hardships.
Provide grants and scholarships rather than loans for students.
Ensure free primary and secondary education to reduce financial burdens on families.
In summary, while President Tinubu promotes the National Youth Conference as a step towards involving youth in governance, critics like the CDHR argue that immediate actions addressing their existing grievances would be more beneficial.
