Date: 2018-09-15

Alhaji Abdulmumini Abiola, son of MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the 1993 Presidential election, has said that every Nigerian youths have critical roles and hold the key toward the nation's growth, progress and development.

Abiola made the assertion on the sideline of a national youth summit organised by Zealous Kwara Youth, in Ilorin, on Friday.

The maiden summit held at the Savanna Suite, along Ajase-Ipo Road, Ilorin had the theme: "In the Interest of our Present and Future".

Abiola, who maintained that only a collective responsibility of stakeholders could move the country forward, said the youth had the intellectual capability to turn things around for the better.

According to him, the country is blessed with productive youth population who must be ready to sacrifice and invest massively in the Nigeria developmental project

Abiola praised the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, for setting the country on the path toward socio-economy transformation and development.

He said the country challenges was beyond buck passing, saying that the present administration deserved the support of all stakeholders to achieve the desired change.

"This is not about being a Northerner or Southerner, Muslim or Christian, but as Nigerians in our collective resolved to move the country forward," he said.

Mr John Adegboye, President of the youth organization, in a remark, said the failure of both the past and present administration in the state was responsible for the high level of underdevelopment being experienced.

He regretted that majority of those parading themselves as youths representative in governance are presently enmeshed in various controversies bordering of financial mismanagement and other vices.

Adegboye charged the youths to be very vigilant and cautious in making politically based decisions as the processes toward the 2019 general elections gathers momentum.

"You should be very cautious of those leaders you entrust with your votes and be guided with popularity, merit and transparency in making your choice," he said.

Sheik Abdulrazak Alomota, an Ilorin based Islamic cleric, in a lecture, said every leaders must exhibit high level of honesty, integrity, diligence and transparency in order to command the confidence and respect of the led.

According to him, the leadership in the state has failed in their electoral promises, hence the high level poverty being witnessed presently among the people.

"There are too much sufferings and hunger in the state, it takes a credible and people oriented leader to redress these anomalies come 2019," he said. (NAN)