Nigerian Don supports youth involvement in national decision making

President, Nigeria Private University Debate (NIPUD), Prof Femi Ajayi recommended Nigerian youth to the government for inclusion in policy making process with the aim of developing the country.Ajayi said this at the 5^th edition of the debate in Nasarawa State sponsored by NIPUD.At the event, which had the theme: “The United Nations and Global Economy: Implications for regression, Recession and Regeneration for the Nigerian youths,’’ he maintained that involving youth in policy making of the country is key in reshaping the country’s image.Ajayi believed the debate will enable the youth participate in decision making process on issues of national interests.He promised to issue recommendations at the close of the program on Friday.Ajayi said the essence of the gathering was to help address some issues troubling the nation.“We thought we should give something back to the government through our youths as they are the future leaders of this great country.“All the policies the government is making at the Federal, State and Local Government levels never put the youths into consideration.“It is not that we don’t have good policy makers in Nigeria, but that those making policy have centralised everything for self satisfaction.“The only way we can convey the need for youth’s contribution toward the development of Nigeria is only through this debate.”˜’We hope that government can key in to this programme to address some of the issues confronting the country,” he stated.The vote of thanks by the president of NIPUD was directed towards Mrs Toyin Saraki and others for their huge support and donations toward the successful hosting of the event.Ajayi further called for more support from distinguished Nigerians in order to sponsor next edition of the program.According to him, the best performing university would get a cash prize of N500,000, while the second, third and fourth would get N300,000, N150,000 and N80,000.Dr Solomon Iguanre, Assistant Secretary-General of NIPUD, added that the debate served as a platform to alert the government and provide new discourse on issues of national interest.He also called on government investment in the education sector so that the youth can have a fair share of national development.Ten private universities are scheduled to compete in the 2017 season of the debate.Few of the topics deliberated on by the students was “Country that solely depends on food security will go bankrupt and “Industrial diversification of the country will promote employment,’’ etc.The institutions represented are Bingham University, Evangel University, Nile University, Caleb University, Igbinedion University and Veritas University.Afe Babalola University of Ado-Ekiti, Rhema University, Michael and Cecilia University and Covenant University also registered their presence.