{"id":3895,"date":"2013-05-19T13:26:41","date_gmt":"2013-05-19T13:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disnaija.com\/nigeria-news\/i-intend-to-reform-the-youth-council-if-elected-president-tosin-adeyanju\/"},"modified":"2013-05-19T13:26:41","modified_gmt":"2013-05-19T13:26:41","slug":"i-intend-to-reform-the-youth-council-if-elected-president-tosin-adeyanju","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disnaija.com\/i-intend-to-reform-the-youth-council-if-elected-president-tosin-adeyanju\/","title":{"rendered":"I intend to reform the Youth Council if elected President \u2013 Tosin Adeyanju"},"content":{"rendered":"
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by Citizens Platform<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

“An injury to any Nigerian should be an injury to all” Tosin Adeyanju<\/strong> declares to contest the position of the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria ahead of the Council elections in Benue; he speaks to Tahir Sherriff<\/strong> on his plans for young Nigerians if elected President of the youth Council.<\/em><\/p>\n

Please tell us more about yourself, and how you got the name KAKAAKI?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tosin Adeyanju is a purpose-driven, passionate and committed young Nigerian with outstanding leadership qualities. A graduate of Political Science and Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.He is a young patriot and a visionary nationalist with an uncommon zeal to see a New Nigeria birthed. Adeyanju has over the years, been vigorously pursuing the mainstreaming of youth initiatives into every process in the country, from constitution review, electoral reforms, peace building, national appointments and other national engagements. In the past two years, he has been working tirelessly at proffering a youth-angle solution to the challenges of terrorism with a noble initiative called Grand Alliance Against Terrorism (GAAT), as well tackling other problems such as kidnapping and human trafficking. He is totally committed to ensure that the youth participate in every process in the country.<\/p>\n

I got the name Kakaaki through my outspoken engagement on national issues. Among several media organizations where I have featured, the AIT Kakaaki segment gave me regular and very good appearances. This further endeared me to limelight as many of my peers, especially in the National Youth Council of Nigeria from that moment often called me Kakaaki and the name stocked with me till tomorrow. . It has been my campaign identity since then.<\/p>\n

How long have you been campaigning for youths in Nigeria, and what has been your key concerns?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Right from my early days in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, I have been actively involved in the vanguard of reclaiming the rightful place of the youth in Nigeria. This engagement started more than a decade ago. Out of conviction to contribute my quota to youth and students issue, I participated in Students\u2019 Union activities throughout my stay in Zaria. I was elected as the Public Relations Officer of ABU Students\u2019 Union Government (ABUSUG) and used my office to further advance the interest of the youth in the country.<\/p>\n

My key concern is that Nigerian youths deserve more than we are getting from the system in Nigeria. The story of Nigeria\u2019s Independence is the story of several young Nigerians who made selfless sacrifice to birth this nation. However, several years of military interregnum and haphazard political system denied the youths a place of reckoning and further active participation. So my commitment is to see a rebirth of that enviable role Nigerian youths are capable of playing to evolve a better nation. The over 60 millions youths in Nigeria are not a group to be pitied, but a group to be seen as partners in progress. For I believe that it through the wisdom of the elders and the strength of Nigerian youths that we can have a great nation.<\/p>\n

Do you think there are sufficient institutional structures to sufficiently tackle the problems of youths in Nigeria?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have no doubt that there are sufficient institutional structures even though more could be created. It is not even a lack of it, but effectively using the structures on ground to solve the youth problems. The youths are seen by the leaders as a group of young Nigerians to be pitied and fed with crumbs and that is why we are not getting the strategy right and using available structures well. What the government needs to look at is to develop a strategic framework for youths reform and critical explore how the youths can be partners in progress to salvage this nation. It is only this line of thought that can make the government and the elders appreciate the enormous advantage the youths can bring to this nation.<\/p>\n

What are your expectations in the coming elections of the National Youth Council of Nigeria?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

For me contesting for the NYCN election is a matter of giving my very best to the youths of this nation and not a do or die affair. I have a strong conviction that Nigerian youths will give me this huge mandate to serve them and I have pledged my loyalty and selfless service. I will abide by the outcome of the election whichever way it goes. I am a democrat and I have made it clear time without number that my main commitment is to see a new NYCN. That is why the reform of the council is a major target for me.<\/p>\n

Do you think the National Youth Council of Nigeria can adequately work towards tackling the problem of youths in the country?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

NYCN is not a government institution or an agency in the private sector. However, NYCN as a body with good organization and focused leadership has the capacity to partner with the government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to tackle problems besetting the youths. Another campaign I will embark upon is to encourage the youths to be self-reliant. Government and its institutions cannot all address our problems. The council that I intends to lead will put all cards on the table to address the youth problems.<\/p>\n

During your position as an Ex Officio member of Kogi State Youth Council did you participate in any projetct that aided the development of youths in the\u00a0<\/strong>state?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It is a recent position, but I can tell you that I have been working in synergy with the Kogi Executive to drive the State council. Even when I am not in the State, we regularly interact and share ideas. The council has also been working assiduously to support my ambition.<\/p>\n

What experiences led you to working towards fighting against terrorism and kidnapping as well as being a member of the initiative Grand Alliance Against Terrorism?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

For me, an injury to any Nigerian should be an injury to all. If we think deeply and look critically at the poem of John Pepper Clarke, we will understand truly that we are all casualties of terrorism. I can never be an onlooker in my country. The mindless attacks by terrorists and killings of innocent Nigerians spurred me to think of what I can do to support my nation. So GAAT came handy as an initiative that I could use to offer my support to this nation at a trying time.<\/p>\n

What prompted your creation of the youth initiative ‘Conscience Nigeria’ and what is the goal of the initiative?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Over the years, I have built my capacity in leadership initiatives, NGO management, media engagement and political consultancy services. I have always dreamt of a good platform to advance my vision for this nation. This led me to put in place an organization called Conscience Nigeria. It is an independent, non-governmental and not-for-profit organization established in 2005 for the promotion of good governance, rule of law, democracy and the mainstreaming of youth initiatives in national engagements.<\/p>\n

Has your experience as a National Association of Nigerian Students NANS given you any insight on the plights of youths in the country?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

My participation in NANS and other you-led organizations has given me the opportunity to better understand the challenges facing the youths. This experience counts in my favour to work for the good of the youths if elected NYCN President.<\/p>\n

Are you a member an active political party, and does this shape your views on the development of Nigerian youths?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I am a card carrying member of the PDP and actively involved in the party process. My joining a political party is influenced by the need to effect changes from within. I have often encouraged Nigerian youths to join a party of choice. We have the number and capacity to drive a positive change from within. My experience so far in the PDP and the political process has made to realize that the youth must engage the process to regain their place of history as partners to advance the nation to greatness and solve many youth challenges.<\/p>\n

What is your vision for the Nigerian Youths?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

My vision is for the youth to secure their place of pride and\u00a0honor\u00a0as co-travelers in the Nigerian project, and also as partners with the elders to evolve a better nation. I want to make every Nigerian youth realize that that he or she has a role to play and something good to offer this nation.<\/p>\n

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Tahhir Sherriff is a News Reporter and can be reached for interviews at tahirsherriff@yahoo.com, follow him on twitter @tahirsherriff<\/em><\/p>\n

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Posted in Nigeria News. <\/a>A DisNaija.Com<\/a> network.<\/p>\n

Source: Citizens Platform<\/p>\n

DisNaija.Com<\/b> publishes regular posts on Nigeria News,<\/a> Nigerian Newspapers,<\/a> Online Nigeria Gist.<\/a><\/p>\n

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