Minister for Youths and Sports, Hon. Barr. Solomon Dalung has task Nigerian youths to fearlessly demand their rights from their leaders to secure a comfortable future for themselves.
According to him Nigerian youths have a duty to protect the nation’s democracy thus bringing the desired development to the communities, saying as a Minister he earns (N370,000) monthly as salary.
The Honourable Minister stated this on Friday while on speaking at a public lecture organized by a developmental youth group, Bokkos Frontier Forum held at the Plateau State University Bokkos.
He said no Nigerian leader is above questioning in a democratic system.
“Don’t just sit and say Solomon Dalung is a Minister, he moves with a convoy, air conditioner everywhere and then you will not challenge him.
“You must hold leaders accountable. If they are bringing a bag of money to be shared, you should ask.
“My salary is N370,000 as a minister though I have other privileges. So if I am sharing money more than someone who earns above a million, you should ask me questions. Ask for good health facilities, education, good roads, and water. Don’t ask for money,” he said.
Mr. Dalung recalling his youth days said he was detained in prison in the fight for justice during the military regime but lamented the weak attitude of today’s youths towards issues that concern them.
He said, “There is a complete disorientation among young people. We worship politicians and tell them they are great even if they are not just to get N200. We sell our votes, even graduates donating themselves to be used to rig elections.”
Mr. Dalung called for all hands to be on deck in the fight against corruption to enable future generations enjoy the abundance of the nation’s endowments.
“If we do not collectively agree that corruption is a problem, then development will remain a concept in our dictionaries and encyclopedia,” he stated.
Coordinator of the group, Mr. Peter Mashem said the Bokkos Frontier Forum, a youth group concerned with community development, unity and peace advancement among the grassroots people had organized the lecture tagged “Imbibing Godly Traditional and National Values: The Hope of Youths in a Corrupt Nigeria” to inspire positive change among young people towards harnessing support for the government in its socio-political advancement initiatives
