In a bid to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and credible election in the coming 2023 general elections, the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference (NBCYC), on Tuesday, sensitized the Nigerian Youths on the need to be a major stakeholder in ensuring there is a violence-free election in Nigeria.
NBC made this plea during its maiden edition of a one-day sensitization program and awareness creation on Violence – Free election, themed “Towards Great Nation; Maximizing” held at the Molete Baptist Church, Ibadan.
Speaking on the topic “Need for Youths Participation in Politics”, former governorship aspirant in the 2019 Governorship Election in Oyo state and Member, Oyo State Water Corporation Board, Rev. Dr Adenike Victor Tade popularly known as Mama Empowerment extolled the virtues of youths in Nigeria and their need to embrace political ambition to change the narrative of political offices in Nigeria.
Rev. Adenike Tade who narrated her Impactful involvement in leadership as a youth and how it had helped restructured different organizations said: “I was the youth coordinator of Molete Baptist Church Ibadan for 5years before I became youth ministerial officer of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and in my attempt to wipe out unemployment among the youth, I initiated and became the first coordinator of Nigerian Baptist Convention Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Centre. Until last year I was the consultant for All African Baptist Youth on Empowerment. I have a self-sponsored NGO that trains and empowers youth on a different skill.”
” I used to believe politics is a cheat, and dirty game, I slept and got a call that I should go into politics, I saw it as an impossibility. I received a call that my youth activities have been monitored and I’ve been invited to be the gubernatorial candidate for my impact in youths of Nigeria and I got my family support”
She noted that people aged between 18 – and 30 carry the highest population in Nigeria.
Mama empowerment, who frowned at Political disengagement of the youth noted that participating in politics can help bring about favourable fundamental policies that will benefit the downtrodden and youth populace in the country.
While delivering his keynote address, National President, Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference (NBCYC), Pastor Onajite Enunuaye highlighted the need for the youths to reawaken their interest in the governance of their nation.
Onajite, who doubles as the General Secretary, Baptist Youth Fellowship in Africa, decried the attitude of youths who made themselves available as tools for criminal activity and “politicking” activities for cheap gains which have in turn destroyed the reputation of youths in Nigeria.
President, Ibadan Conference of NBCYC who was as the host of the program, Bro. John Adebayo, in addition, claimed that youths and Christians’ participation in politics in Nigeria is the only way out of the current situation of the country.
Also present at the programme were Reverend Bunmi Ayodele, youth Ministerial officer NBC, Youth President, Molete Baptist Church, Dr Adewale Adetoye, delegates from Lagos West conference, Lagos East Conference, Lagos Central conference, Ibadan Conference, Oyo Conference, Oke Ogun Conference, and Kwara Conference.
