Not too young to run bill: Youth not fully ready for leadership – Don

A Political Science lecturer with Kaduna State University (KASU), Mallam Aliyu Yero, says Nigerian youths are not yet ready to take up the mantle of leadership of the country.

Yero made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Kaduna while reacting to the Not too young to run Bill passed by the National Assembly.

According to him, Nigerian youths lack the required skills to run a political office effectively due to their poor quality education.

“There is no doubt that the future of Nigeria is in the hands of the youth, but young people of today are not like that of yesterday, the literacy rate is low compared to other developed nations.

“In as much as there is a need for new ideas as the world is gradually turning to a global village, the youth must have qualitative education first before running for political office”.

The lecturer added that young people aspiring to run for any political office must first seek guidance and mentorship from experienced hands vast in Nigerian history and politics for effective leadership.

He called on government to restructure the education system for the youth to have access to qualitative education that would make them better citizens.

“Education plays a vital role in the development of any nation; therefore, government should give priority to qualitative education that will be accessible and affordable.

“It is the only tool that will reshape and reorient the youths towards developing their nation,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the Not too young to run bill passed by the National Assembly in July 2017, cut down the age requirement for president from 40 to 30 years; Governors from 35 to 30 and Senate from 35 to 30 years.

It also reduced the age of those vying for a seat in the House of Representatives and State Assemblies from 30 to 25 years.

The bill, however, require the backing of at least 24 Houses of Assembly for it to become law. (NAN)