In his October 1, 2024 Nigeria’s Independence Day broadcast, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR, proposed a National Youth Conference.

The president said: "…. I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference. This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population. It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow.”

“The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. The modalities of this Confab and selection of delegates will be designed in close consultation with our young people through their representatives. Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations. The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria.”

For all intents and purposes, this presidential proposal seems to not only be very diversionary, a waste of very scarce resources and time, it also looks like an unsavoury escapism!!

What exactly is the presidency trying to put across to Nigerians in this regard? Are they telling Nigerians that they are bereft of good ideas that can positively move the country forward in this trying time, particularly, with their array of numerous Ministers/Ministries, Agencies, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants, National Assembly, The Judiciary, Governors, Commissioners, States Houses of Assembly and so on!?

So, what exactly are they gathering the youths to say for 30 long days at a very humongous cost to the country, that the youths haven’t already openly expressed in their various mass rallies and presentations across the country; particularly, at a critical moment like this when the various governments in Nigeria have very high exposure to foreign debts with unprecedented and stupendously incredible debt profiles!?

Isn’t this just another jamboree to divert attention and keep a select few youths busy with ‘chopping’ leftover crumbs while the privileged few in government (and their associates) continues with their clueless governance, wasteful spendings even without appropriation from National Assembly and unchecked corruption in high places at the expense of the suffering masses?

The youths have said NO to bad governance – No show!

The youths and indeed Nigerians say “WE ARE HUNGRY”! – No show!

They said, make petroleum products (PMS in particular) and electric power available and affordable – No show!

They said, reduce the cost of governance, rejig and reduce the federal cabinet – No show! – safe for the new acquisition of a $150million presidential jet and several other wasteful spendings on personal comfort of government officials!

They said, provide security for the lives and properties of citizens, which is the primary purpose of government – No show!

They said, create and provide jobs for the teaming populace – No show!

They said, provide a living wage for citizens and not a minimum take home pay that can’t take anybody home – No show!

They said, provide qualitative and affordable education – No show!

They said, provide good affordable health care and end foreign medical tourism of the privileged few, particularly for those doing so at government expense – No show!

They said, take out the terrorists, kidnappers and bandits permanently from our country; fish out and deal decisively with those sponsoring them – No show!

They said, rejig the electoral law to block loopholes for rigging – No show!

Those who should know better have persistently called for a new governance model for Nigeria as envisioned by the founding leaders of Nigeria – No show!

The youths and Indeed Nigerians went on mass protests to drive home their various demands. – The Government’s response in some cases were tear gas, arrests, detentions, killings and frivolous criminal charges of treason!

So, what else are the youths to be gathered to say for 30 long days that they haven’t said already!?

How many youths do they want to gather together for this diversionary jamboree out of the over 120 million youths in Nigeria and at what cost?

How will the so-called youths be selected from the over 120 million youths in Nigeria!?

Was there any appropriation for such a jamboree in the subsisting 2024 government budget as approved by the National Assembly!?

To what use has the Federal Government put the previous “National Conferences”, to now warranty this proposed youths diversionary jamboree styled “National Youth Conference”!?

The questions are unending!...

I hope the proposed “National Youth Conference” wouldn’t be another wasteful exercise in futility!

•Professor Echefuna’ R.G. ONYEBEADI [DBA; PhDs etc], United Nations Fellow, is The Ingbese of Oligbo Kingdom.