Good governance and youth inclusion in governance have been identified
as the panacea to youth restiveness in Nigeria.
Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello made the assertion on Sunday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital while delivering the 2024 Sobo Sowemimo Annual Lecture which has its theme *"Curbing Youth Restiveness in the Era of Social and Economic Uncertainties"*.
The Vice Chancellor while speaking at the well-attended lecture organised by the Abeokuta Club averred that youth restiveness, which often manifest in form of violent protests, thuggery, substance abuse, banditry, advanced fee fraud, are the outcome of social and economic alienation suffered by them.
"Good governance is key. It is the panacea to arresting the scourge of youth restiveness in our nation. You can not beat a child and tell him not to cry. Our policies must be people-driven, aimed only to better the lot of the masses, " She said,
"Young people must have a voice to decide matters that affect their lives and future. In Nigeria, despite a modest gain in the youth’s participation in politics, this has been reversed in recent years according to the data available" noting that beyond the "Not-Too-Young to Run Bill", broader reforms like independence candidacy and criminalisation of vote buying, among other changes, will open the political space to young Nigerians".she added
She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for conceiving the idea of a 30-Day National Youth Conference, which he announced in his Independence Day Address to enable Nigeria youths to dialogue on issues affecting them.
The Professor of Physiology, however, called on participants at the lecture to show good example to young ones in the society while challenging the youth to take responsibility for their future as the nation grapples with multifaceted social and economic challenges.
She said, "Curbing youth restiveness above all else must start from the home front. Families must take responsibility for how their young people turn out.
Parents must show examples in good conduct and proper behaviour."
Other areas of intervention as preferred by Prof. Olatunji-Bello included youth engagement in vocational training, provision of quality educational opportunities, provision of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and leveraging on technology, among others.
The Lecture, which was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Olusola Babatunde Kehinde had in attendance, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola and the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, represented by the Asipa, Navy Capt. Lateef Raji (Rt.), among other eminent Nigerians.
The Abeokuta Club, chaired by Dr Adewale Adeola, is one of the foremost clubs in Abeokuta, which has many illustrious Egba men as members.
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