Chuks Oyema-Aziken
A group, the Unicorn Community Development Association has described as callous and derogatory a statement against the newly appointed Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. (Engr.) Abubakar Momoh.
Another group, Emerging Leaders of Nigeria (ELON) had rejected the appointment of Momoh as Youth Minister on the ground that he is 60 years old.
Reacting to ELON, UNICORN in a press release wondered if the protest by the former is borne out of vexation due to the electoral process that brought this government into power?
UNICORN Press release was signed by the Director, Media and Publicity, Hon. Hassan Tukur Ajikobi.
He said “Or is it a calculated vendetta against Hon. (Engr) Abubakar Momoh? Was the appointment a breach of the constitution? Does the constitution says a Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment must be a youth? What indices is used to measure a youth?
“Is Hon. Abubakar Momoh capable of managing the office? What are his antecedent? What has been the contribution of youth to our nation building? What informed President Tinubu choice of Hon. Abubakar Momoh for the office? Finding answers to these questions is very pertinent and may inform good disposition.
“While this rebuttal to the proposed protest making the round in television and the cyber space is not to join issue by giddying the already tense economic hardship we face today, it’s our utmost desire to support in redirecting the energy of youth into purposeful venture that may ease our pains.
“This does not mean we’re shielding government but if we’re to critique, it must be done constructively and within the ambit of the law. We can’t continue doing the same thing and expect a different result. Like the late iconic singer Barry White puts it, “it’s of no use running when you’re already on the wrong road”.
“We of Unicorn Community Development Association (UNICODE) wish to say convincingly, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hasn’t faltered in appointing Hon. (Engr.) Abubakar Momoh as the
Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment in view of the constitutional provisions in Section 14(3) and 147(5) of 1999 Constitution as amended in appointing a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“In fact we’re very much delighted in all the appointment as the recipients are people with proven capacity that can move our country forward and compete amongst committee of nations.
“Besides, there’s no generally accepted definition of who a youth must be. Youth is a mindset and so shouldn’t be tied to age but attributed to someone who’s mentally and physically fit, vivacious and full of vim. Therefore, does Hon. (Engr.) Abubakar Momoh possess vim, agility and mental and physical stability? That question ‘ll be answered by the agitators of the planned protest after we x-tray his personality.
“However, bear in mind that we must jettison the idea of mortgaging competence, experience and capacity on the altar of frivolity and unwarranted agitation and fowl cry of ‘YOUTH’.
“Who then is Hon. (Engr.) Abubakar Momoh recently appointed as the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment? He’s a man from Edo State who has carved a niche for himself in his professional, academic and political life. He graduated from the prestigious University of Benin. Back in his days of yore as a student, he rose to become the President of the Student Union Government (SUG). This undeniable feat tells you his elements as one who understand the challenges facing today’s Nigerian youth be it academic, social, economic or political.
“His track record as a one time Local Government Chairman tells of his grassroots touch so President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wouldn’t have made mistake of his choice and so the shenanigan of staging a protest against a man who possess the capacity to establish synergy between government and in quote ‘youth’ is uncalled for.
“Youth should make use of their heads and not be allowed to be used as a dummy by enemies of state. We’re getting wiser as the days go by and must stand for truth, equity and justice. In the words of the great Hindu Sage, Mahatma K. Ghandi, “ conscience is like an open wound that only the truth can heal it.”
“Therefore put your conscience at work and be productive with yourselves. No nation develop where there’s chaos but peace. We’ve had too much trouble of late- from the infamous naira swap to petrol hike and subsidy removal and who know what’s next? Let us breathe and give peace a chance. Stop this hasty act and notion of putting the cart before the horse thinking it’ll take us forward.
“Now’s the time for youth to put their vim and intellectualism into productive use and to shun every wrong narratives that may threaten our national lives. We’re neither here to eulogize or bury Hon. (Engr) Abubakar Momoh. Our cry is a clarion call and very much imperative to support a man we believe and count on to work what’s good toward Nigerian youth.
“He had transverse the mucky waters of life to achieve this confidence repose on him by the Asiwaju of Africa. His appointment encapsulate the essence of a government that recognizes the dire potential within our teaming youth and deliberately seek to harness it for nation building. A word is enough for a while.”
