As part of efforts to galvanise Nigerian youths towards playing active roles in governance, Rev. David Ize-Iyamu, has launched a youths specific movement, Youth Revolution Movement. While unveiling the movement in Lagos, Ize-Iyamu who said the aim was also to prepare young Nigerians for leadership, governance, and active involvement in the electoral process.
Ize-Iyamu, who is also an administrator and a nationalist explained the need for youths to actively participate in electoral processes from voter registration, through standing for election, to effective leadership as their peers across the globe are taking positions of leadership in their various countries.
He said, “From Lagos, we are launching the movement in other geopolitical groups in Nigeria. YRM seeks to transit Nigerian youths from being passive onlookers at the electoral process, to being committed active participants who become the change they seek. The movement is neither violent nor militant, but a peaceful, yet firm and structured drive towards positive self-determination, national pride, social consciousness, and actual measurable change.
“It is no secret that the youth population is the largest subgroup in our national demography, but unfortunately the larger percentage of this subgroup exhibit severe apathy towards leadership, politics or governance. I don’t blame them really, as this has been a direct consequence of the lack of inspiring leadership that we all have experienced and groaned under, in our recent history.”
Contrary to the claim of some critics that youths have lost faith in the country due to bad governance, Ize-Iyamu added that youths have to be given renewed hope in our country as they must truly believe in Nigeria again, and buy into owning this process of national re-evolution.
On the difference between YRM and similar groups that emerged before previous elections, Ize-Iyamu explained that his group will not only engage presidential aspirants before the election but will also ensure they implement their electoral promises and make them accountable to the electorates.
He added, “Nigerian youths today are well informed, and aware of the leadership role that youths across the world are taking in driving social, political and economic change.
“For instance, Nollywood was created from scratch by Nigerian youths without government support. YRM is out to mobilise Nigerian youths to take Centre-stage in crafting the future of Nigeria. Our youths are no longer moved by rhetoric. Their conversations on social media, on the streets, and in organised forums, show that they crave inspired, responsible, empathetic, and credible leadership.
“The YRM intends to inform, educate, lead, and sometimes incentivise the youths, to action and participation in the political value-chain. We will show practical and dynamic approaches to achieve solutions to national problems, and inspire the youths to take responsibility for those solutions.”
