TheCable

Bolaji Abdullahi, a former minister of youth and sports, says Nigerian youth need to engage in politics in order to effect real change in the country.

There have been calls for better youth inclusion in politics across the country.

Speaking at the International Youth Day programme organised by The Avalon daily, a digital news platform, on Wednesday, Abdullahi said the youth must look beyond social media to effect change.

The former minister, who noted that participating in politics on social media will not bring the needed transformation, called on the youth to join political parties of their choice and commence the change from within.

Abdullahi said the illusion of participation where young people only engage on social media without practical effort has led to what can be described as action paralysis, as “oftentime where action is demanded, Nigerian youths are contented with social media engagement solely”.

“If the youths are to lead Nigeria’s quest for prosperity and transformation, it will be because of this unique power that has been wielded through the use of social media, and if they are going to fail on this mission, it will be because of the misuse of this same power,” he said.

“If Nigerian youths want real political power, it cannot be done through social media engagement alone. They must get into the political space.

“The national transformation that we all seek can only happen through the transformation of individuals. It is only by the transformation of individuals that we can hope to restore politics back to its original purpose, which is to promote the dignity of humanity and justice.”