House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has emphasized the importance of youth engagement in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Speaking during the ‘Town Hall Meeting with Youth Groups and Organisations,’ today, Tajudeen reiterated his commitment to creating a better Nigeria for the younger generation.
Tajudeen conveyed that the purpose of the town hall was not to intimidate or buy off the youth but to establish a formal platform for ongoing dialogue.
“We are here to ensure that your voices are heard at the highest levels of government. Your voice matters, and we are listening,” he stated.
The Speaker acknowledged the various concerns raised by the youth, including calls for an end to hunger, a reduction in the cost of living, an increase in the minimum wage, and improved human capital development.
These issues, he noted, converge on a powerful demand for an enhanced quality of life for all Nigerians.
He urged the youth to engage constructively rather than resorting to violence.
“In most cases, protests do not solve problems. If they are hijacked by hoodlums, the essence of the protest will be lost. Be rebels with a cause, not anarchists,” Tajudeen warned.
In a gesture of commitment, Tajudeen announced that his office would offer four slots for Senior Legislative Aides to youth groups, to bridge the gap between the House of Representatives and young Nigerians.
“These conversations will be taken to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, along with representatives of youth organizations,” he assured.
The Speaker stressed that meaningful reform often requires time and consensus, especially for issues deeply embedded in statutory and constitutional frameworks.
He called for a sustained, step-by-step approach to addressing Nigeria’s challenges and achieving collective aspirations.
“I urge all stakeholders to work together to build the Nigeria we all aspire to see,” Tajudeen concluded.
Meanwhile, the Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA) has begged Nigerians on the need to give President Bola Tinubu more time to implement his economic reforms.
Instead of joining the protest, the group has urged Nigerian youths and student bodies to support the president’s efforts.
In a statement signed by NEYGA spokesperson Ibrahim Dan-Musa, the group acknowledged that the current economic challenges were a legacy of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
