Osinbajo to Young aspirants: Nigeria’s future depends on you

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has commended Nigeria’s youths for their desire to contribute to nation building in their various constituencies through active involvement in politics.

He also called on them to make the needed sacrifices to ensure the ideals they want to see in the country are realised.

Prof. Osinbajo said this on Wednesday night during a meeting with young aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Noting that the country’s future depends on the commitment of young people who are willing to play their part and make positive differences, the Vice President said that it was important to encourage young people to participate at all levels of the party.

He said, “I also want to say that your courage is exceptional. If you aspire to be anything in a country of about 200 million people, you are a courageous person, no question about that, because when you count the number of people who hold elective offices in this country, they are very few when compared to the population.

“So, what you are searching for is really coveted, and is not a walk in the park. I really salute your courage,” he said.

Osinbajo then congratulated the aspirants for having gone this far in the game.

“That you are not just sitting down at home, not just getting upset with yourself on Social Media. You are putting your money, resources and your time where your mouth is. So, consider yourself in very exceptional company.

“This is a group of people who have not lost hope, but are very determined to ensure that things work.”

Prof Osinbajo said that young people should not lose hope in the country as things would continue to change for the better if they remain committed to the ideals.

He said, “I strongly believe that the future of our party depends on people who are committed to see that we build a party that is based on ideals that you and I think are important.

“As a young person, I belonged to several pressure groups. I graduated at the age of 21. And when I graduated, I began to participate in various pressure groups, human rights organisations, anti-corruption, civil society groups of every kind.

“When political parties started forming, we could not aspire, but we remained involved. My first involvement in government was when I was appointed as Attorney General in Lagos State.

“For seven years – after serving as Lagos Attorney-General – I was part of the party, I did not have a board appointment or anything, but I kept working for the party. I kept working for the party as a lawyer.