By: KATO P. LADAN, Kaduna
Youth from Chikun Local Govt. and Kaduna South Local Govt. Areas of Kaduna State have debunked the allegations that youth from the communities are lazy, rather opportunities are not given to them to prove their mettle by policy makers.
They stated this during a town hall meeting involving the two councils organized by Accountability Lab Nigeria, (ALNG), in Kaduna on Saturday.
The participants who bare their minds at the meeting, said it wasn’t as if youth in these Councils are lazy or uneducated, but that their communities are backward as a result of lack of government’s presence .
Chikun and Kaduna South LGAs are chosen for the pilot programme of Inclusion Project by a None-Governmental Organizatation, ALNG, seeking to ensure every Nigerians benefits from government’s infrastructure.
Earlier, Team Lead, Civic Action ALNG, Mr Shiiwua Mnenga, had informed the gathering that the Inclusion project is designed to give voice to voiceless particularly the women, People with Disability (PWDs) and the youth.
He urged participants to bare their minds on what affects them in their communities, and what they needed government to do, to ensure every citizens benefits from government’s infrastructure.
The District Head of Makera, Alhaji Shehu Tijjani, who spoke through his Ward Head, Alhaji Yahaya Musa, said the meeting was a right step in the right direction.
He however advised his subjects to always communicate issues affecting them to adequate authorities.
In the same vein, the District Head of Gwagwada, Alhaji Shittu Abdullahi, who was ably represented by Alhaji Umar Hassan, appreciated ALNG for the gathering describing it as apt and prayed such would be sustained.
A participant, 38 year-old widow, Alheri Ibrahim, lamented that poor Nigerians are the ones who filed out early to vote during elections; unfortunately this same group rarely benefits from government infrastructure.
“I’m a widow with 2 children with no visible source of livelihood. I survive with my children via little help from good spirited Nigerians.
Mrs Ibrahim called on governments at all levels to look into the plights of women, especially the widows, youth, PWDs, who according to her, suffered most.
Also, the National President of People with Diasability, (PWDs), Alhaji Rilwanu Mohammed, expressed dismay over non representation of policy makers at the event.
“I expected government officials to be part of this town hall meeting where citizens interact face-to-face and express their feelings, problems and expectations to them.
“Unfortunately, we are here as participants non of the policy makers is in attendance and I doubt if our messages today will get to them as they are not here,” he said.
He cautioned the government to see the issue of #ENDSARS as a warning sign to come out to address issues concerning the masses in the country.
