Ukodhiko's Agenda For Isoko Youths

By Akpodhoma Michael Mikoko

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP for the position of Isoko Federal Constituency in the forthcoming general election, Pastor Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko has identified involvement of Isoko youths in governance if elected.

First, good governance has been identified as one of the numerous challenges facing Nigeria political system. Nigeria as at today is battling developmental problems. It's no news that good governance is associated with democracy. In Nigeria after two decades of democratic experience, the system of government has not yielded much desired good governance for the Nigerian youths. This is because democracy in Nigeria is practiced in such a way that responsible, competent and the productive youths population are not engaged much in the democratic governance.

In Nigeria there is lack of trust of youths in governing institutions and political leadership, though of late the Isoko youths have been engaged in certain positions through political appointments among others yet the level of youth involvement is still low despite the fact that the modern Isoko youths are well endowed with needed modern technological knowhow and skills to make a difference.

The need to give them more opportunities in other key sectors to make impact in the mainstream development and governance of the state and country can't be overlooked. There are variety of factors underpinning youth engagement in governance in Nigeria. For instance, there is lack of quality education for the youths at all levels, lack of scholarship opportunities, employments, security among other elements.

There is the general belief that the issue of governance, development issues and policy design is for experts and youths do not have the expertise, skills and the drive for power. This perception has alienated the youth from most engagements in governance not only in Isoko, Delta state but the country at large. In most cases youths are often counted as a lost generation, marginalised, frustrated and suffered from decision making bodies and policy making institutions despite the fact that youth population make up more than half of the county’s population, successive governments since independence have continued to marginalize the youth demography in Nigeria.

It must be stated that, no sustainable development and good governance can be achieved without engaging the youth population most especially in the new normal world where engagement and other activities of governance are digitalised, this is because the new world order advocated for innovativeness, proactiveness and adaptation.

Therefore, judging from the seven-point agenda of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, there is more hope for the Isoko youths.

Conclusively, the hindrances of youth engagement makes it very clear that no democratic institutions can have claim to be legitimate and proper if youths are marginalized and left out of democratic processes, this among others Jonathan Ukodhiko will address for the Isoko youths when elected.

nawa o