Politicians Should Stop Using Youths As Thugs – Supo Ayokunle

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has tasked the political leaders at all levels to involve the Nigerian youths in the nation building instead of using them for thuggery and all forms of electoral malpractices.

The Christian Association of Nigeria through Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant Media & Communications to CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle released the statement on Friday.

The Christian umbrella that made this clarion call also charges the Nigerian youths to be patriotic, dedicated, hardworking, committed, optimistic, focused and hopeful in all their endeavour if they must be relevant as the country is facing a lot of challenges threatening her stability.

Speaking at the official inauguration of the new leadership of the Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria (YUWICAN), the CAN President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle decries the menace of unemployment in the country despite the potentials of our youths due to lack of visionless leadership and how politicians have been misusing them for selfish reasons.

Said he, “Election is coming, campaign has begun. I call on all our politicians to stop using our youths for violence and electoral manipulations. God has deposited a lot of potentials in our youths with a view to using them as builders of this country. The politicians should stop misusing them. I call on all Nigerian youths especially the Christian youths to shun all electoral violence and manipulations.”

He also reminded those playing leadership roles in the Church to regard their tasks as sacrifices to God instead of seeing their works as channels of enriching themselves.

Speaking on The Role Of Christain Youth In Nation Building And Development, the Director of National Issues and Social Welfare of the Association, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Stephen T.V. Adegbite who was the Guest Speaker asks the Christian youths to be involve the political process as part of their responsibilities in Nation Building.

“Youths must seek to participate in government, politics and policy formulation. We must shelve aside our responsibilities of joining mainstream politics and forming healthy and progressive alliances among ourselves and participating in all issues of national interest.

“Service and sacrifice to the country and fatherland in the spirit of true patriotism must be a front burner in the heart of every youth. This means the country’s peace, sanity and orderliness should be the utmost desire of every youth. By way of responsibility, the participation and involvement of the Christian youth in nationalisation is mandatory.

“It is also evidence that patriotism is the first trait lacking among Christian youths. For any nation to move forward, the people and most especially the Christian youth must love their country unconditionally.

“All the evil that befall befalls this country, like corruption, terrorism, ethno religious crisis are as a result of lack of true patriotism. If we truly love this nation, we will do anything to protect her interest and we will have in mind that Nigeria is bigger than any individual or institution.”

In his own remark, the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki appeals to the Nigerian youths to say NO to all forms of violence in the coming general election.

Saraki who was represented by Senator Philip Tanimo Aduda as one of the awardees said, “I call on all Nigerian youths not to participate in any electoral violence as we are drawing closer to the 2019 election. They are welcome on board in the building of our country and we promise that we will not fail them.”

He used the opportunity to solicit for prayers and support in his bid to become the President of the country next year.

The new leadership of the YOWICAN includes Apostle Nyeneime Andy (the President), Pastor Adegbegi E. Ayodeji (Vice President), Pius Peter (Assistant National Secretary), and Miss Ekom Ladi Lydia (Treasurer). Others are the National Directors; Ama Kalu, Okoye Paschal, Isaiah Tovishede, Kenny Steve and Ibrahim Istifanus Tal.

Other awardees included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the CAN President, Dr Ayokunle, the Chairman, Northern CAN Pastor Yakubu Pam, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and a few others.