PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has advocated for the removal of the constitutional age limit of 40 years for a Nigerian to become president.
Jonathan described the provision as discriminatory against young Nigerians with the energy, ideas and other qualities to lead the country to greatness.
Jonathan spoke at an International Youth Conference organised by the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) with the theme, “Capacity for change for a new Nigeria’’ yesterday in Abuja.
He challenged the youths to forward a constitution amendment bill to the National Assembly for the removal of all discriminatory provisions in terms of age and promised to support them.
The president said the call by the Chairman and Founder of NYPF, Mr. Moses Siasia, for 35 per cent affirmative action for youths in governance also limited the aspiration of the group.
He noted that asking for a percentage amounted to self-limitation, considering that youths had all that is required to govern, especially the numerical strength to get to the highest office in the land.
“The youths have no limit in terms of number and capacity to lead this country to greatness.
“The only limit is that for youths to contest as president, they need to be 40.
“If Gen. Yakubu Gowon was able to rule this country at 32, there is no reason why the youths should not be given the chance.
“So, don’t ask for percent because by that request you are limiting yourselves.
“I think what the youth should do now is to come together and I will support you, and take a bill to the National Assembly to amend some discriminatory provisions of the constitution in terms of age,’’ Jonathan stated.
He pledged the continued support of his administration to youths through policies and programmes that would continue to harness their huge potential for national development.
He said through schemes such as YouWin, SURE-P, Graduate Internship Scheme and the Community Service Programme, his administration would continue to create opportunities for young people.
He stated that youths deserve encouragement because they were the ones winning laurels and making the country proud in sports and other international competitions.
“These programmes and many more we are doing to make sure we give opportunities to our young people because we appreciate the young people; they have made this country proud.
“I always say that whenever you read newspapers, watch television or listen to the radio, those who preach hate, quarrel and try to divide us on the basis of ethnicity and religion are not the young people but grandfathers.
“The youths live with whomever they are comfortable with regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation; they want to marry whomever they love.
“They are not like those old people who are disturbing us, who want to divide us based on religion and all kinds of sentiments.
“But listening to you here gives me hope that this country is beginning to change, and it is changing for the better,’’ Jonathan said.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/jonathan-advocates-removal-of-age-limit-for-youths/

PHOTO: President Jonathan at the first Nigerian Young Professionals International Summit in Abuja

Participants at 1st Nigerian Young
Professionals International Summit in Abuja.

Chairman NYPF Mr. Moses Siasa,
Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and President Jonathan at the 1st Nigerian Young Professionals International Summit in Abuja

L-R: FCT Minister Sen. Bala
Mohammed, Coordinating Minister of the Economy Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Governor Yero of Kaduna State and President Jonathan at 1st Nigerian Young Professionals International Summit in Abuja

were are the young men?,

Is that why they call him President Jonathan

iamodenigbo1: were are the young men?,

Participants at 1st Nigerian Young
Professionals International Summit in Abuja

ceo4eva:
Participants at 1st Nigerian Young
Professionals International Summit in Abuja

were are in in the pix,or are you not a young man?

iamodenigbo1: were are in in the pix,or are you not a young man?

Read meaning into what I wrote.
Nigerian Young Professionals International Summit. What's your own definition of a young professional? Is it that hard to comprehend?

ceo4eva:
Read meaning into what I wrote.
Nigerian Young Professionals International Summit. What's your own definition of a young professional? Is it that hard to comprehend?

am sory,didn't understand that you are not a young professional but just ordinary youth,thank you

ceo4eva:
Read meaning into what I wrote.
Nigerian Young Professionals International Summit. What's your own definition of a young professional? Is it that hard to comprehend?

am sory,didn't understand that you are not a young professional but just ordinary youth,thank you

iamodenigbo1: ;Dam sory,didn't understand that you are not a young professional but just ordinary youth,thank you

troubleshooter

iamodenigbo1: ;Dam sory,didn't understand that you are not a young professional but just ordinary youth,thank you ;Dam sory,didn't understand that you are not a young professional but just ordinary youth,thank you

U're only looking for cheap attention. I'm done with you. Cheers!

ceo4eva:
Read meaning into what I wrote.
Nigerian Young Professionals International Summit. What's your own definition of a young professional? Is it that hard to comprehend?

You shouldn't have wasted ur time replying him. He is a product of d rot in our educational system.

@ OP, Were the participants tested for Ebola virus? lol

JECBOSS:
You shouldn't have wasted ur time replying him. He is a product of d rot in our educational system.

boy don't dare me Pls o am having my fun

I'm sure he will do well in this regard.

Princess2be: @ OP, Were the participants tested for Ebola virus? lol

LOL..

Lovely Performance by the bright Teenage Entertainer at the 1st Nigerian Young Professionals International Summit in Abuja

Very encouraging. Kudos GEJ! But how many youths did you nominate to the about to be concluded National Confab?

Idiotic Jona-daft, same young folks whose future he is destroying with his greed and senselessness..

ceo4eva: Lovely Performance by the bright
Teenage Entertainer at the 1st Nigerian Young Professionals International Summit in Abuja

I love this particular pic. Kid looks like he knows exactly what he's doing.




There's something about the way the president poses for pictures, especially as regards how he positions his hands, that really sets me off. Makes him look errrrm

[color=#000099][/color]

osifred: Am sure he will do well in this regard.

I AM or better still I'm ....it seems we need more English lessons here on Nairaland .. Smh!

Some illiterates here are insulting Mr President without reading the news.

iamodenigbo1: boy don't dare me Pls o am having my fun

So U enjoy having fun in ignorance? U need to be more serious with ur studies. Ur grasp of English is too poor! SMH

Story! Story!! Story!!! Nigerian Politicians will say one thing and do another thing. Eg, how old was Bamanga Tukur when GEJ made him PDP chairman and later send him to head Rail sector? How old are majority of those GEJ nominated for National conference? Men and women who have already destroyed this nation b4 some of where born. Instead of Vibrant young Nigerians who would have strengthened the nation by doing away with the kind of divisive politics played by the older generations. GEJ is a liar.

JECBOSS:
So U enjoy having fun in ignorance? U need to be more serious with ur studies. Ur grasp of English is too poor! SMH

thank you sir,I don't bandy words with kids,I will let it pass cause am not your mate