Idris Alao Ibrahim, President, Students' Union, University of Ilorin, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to incorporate the Nigerian youth in his administration's programmes in view of his campaign promise during the last general election. AFIS ODEYEMI (400-LEVEL HISTORY), UNILORIN, reports.

If the rate of poverty and social welfare of the populace must be improved, the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari must live up to his campaign promises as pledged during the last general election.

This was the view of Idris Alao, President, Students' Union, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), when he addressed Campus journalists in Ilorin the Kwara State capital recently.

Alao, who however lauded the leadership quality of President Buhari since his assumption of office, urged him to use his good offices to extend hands of followership to the youth.

He said: "Based on the Nigeria status quo, the youth are persons aged between 18 and 35 years. On the condition of the youth and students in the country, students especially those in tertiary institutions constitute a larger percentage of the youth population, therefore; vouching for the interchange of the youth and students especially within the education and youth sectors has become a necessity. The youth are grossly unemployed. It is no longer news that more than 50 percent of this population are unemployed - a situation recently described as an artificial creation of the few rich in government at the detriment of the massive poor out of government.

Even with the renewal of hope and aspiration in the 'Change Regime' of President Buhari, there is still a lot to be done to have the youth engaged and make us live a fulfilled and sustainable life."

Alao reflected on the place of the youth in advocating for her own interests, saying: "It suffices to say that the youth can best advocate for themselves. This assertion largely accord with the democratic cliche of the government of the people by the people and for the people. The people in this context are the youth. Although, same may apply to other groups like the women and persons with disabilities are often marginalized by the government."

He therefore suggested that the Buhari-led Federal Government should as a matter of priority consider the political representation of the youth. To him, majority of those who agitate for or represent the interest of the youth are either out of the youth age bracket or lack the understanding of the legal framework that will capture the youth.

Speaking on the challenges confronting the youth and the appropriate method to ensure youth participation in government, the Unilorin Students' Union president listed the challenges to include constraints in the legal framework for youth representation in government, political parties, socio-economic and educational factors.

His words: "It is sad to note that the 898 page report of the 'glorified' 2014 National conference only succeeded to note the marginalisation of the youth but failed to make attempts at proposing the enabling electoral system that will assist the realisation of their political representation-a clear indication of insufficient understanding of the legal framework for youth representation."

Alao further recommended restructuring, age reduction (in legal framework constraints) and electoral quota for youth through Proportional Representation (PR) system.

"The PR system (an electoral system) operates through the party list generated by the political parties. Each political party is to nominate members (youth) to the National Assembly according to the numbers of seats it occupies in the National or regional assemblies according to the percentage of seats it has in the legislative house hence, the term, proportional representation. South-Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda are examples of countries that had incorporated the PR system in their constitution. These countries have a lesser population and by necessary implication a lesser youth population compared to Nigeria, which is more than four times larger than Kenya and three times than South Africa. The PR system is therefore suggested for youth representation in Nigerian politics."

Alao mentioned other programmes of his administration some of which has been successfully staged and pledged continuity of purposeful leadership since permanence is one characteristics of a good government.

He noted efforts of past Students Union Presidents of the university, adding that his administration is duty bound to cater for as many interests as could be. Other programmes Alao's administration has successfully accomplished include the renovation of old lectures theatre and university facilities. Water and power on the other hand have been considerably improved upon.