Former Jigawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Sule Lamido, has raised concerns over the growing involvement of Nigerian youths in political activities that he said do not adequately prepare them for leadership.
Lamido made the remarks while speaking with young Nigerians in Dutse, Zamfara State, where he chose to engage directly with youths rather than hold a conventional meeting with political leaders.
The former governor said he was concerned about the future of young Nigerians, arguing that political leaders have not done enough to provide the younger generation with proper mentorship, character development and guidance.
Lamido questioned why young people were being mobilised for political activities without sufficient attention to their intellectual and moral development.
He asked why the current generation of leaders could not provide young Nigerians with the same kind of guidance and mentorship that helped shape previous generations.
According to him, political activities involving youths are sometimes characterised by violence, hostility, abuse and intolerance instead of being centred on ideas, policies and constructive debate.
Lamido also expressed concern about the tendency of politicians to rally young people around individual personalities rather than political principles and shared national interests.
He urged youths belonging to different political parties, including the PDP, All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), not to regard one another as enemies.
The former governor said young Nigerians across political and regional divides have common challenges and aspirations that should encourage cooperation rather than hostility.
Lamido called on political leaders and other stakeholders to invest more in education, employment, mentorship and character-building programmes for young Nigerians.
He noted that previous generations benefited from guidance provided by political leaders, elders and religious institutions, which he said contributed to their development and preparation for leadership.
The former governor further encouraged youths from the North, South, East and West to recognise their shared responsibilities and interests as members of the same generation.
Lamido said Nigeria’s long-term development would depend partly on how effectively the country prepares its young people to assume leadership responsibilities.
He identified competence, integrity, tolerance and a sense of national responsibility as important qualities that should be encouraged among young Nigerians preparing to take on leadership roles.
