The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has charged Nigerian youths to be actively involved in the day to day activities of the parliament.
While interacting with a youth group drawn from the 6 geopolitical zones, Saraki told young Nigerians that they were duty-bound to get actively involved and interact with the parliament for greater accountability.
The youth group under the aegis of “The Public Senate” according to NAN was in the National Assembly on a quest to know more about the working of the legislative arm of government.
Saraki while admiring their quest to learn and get involved, stressed that the legislative arm was the only arm of government that gives room for all to get involved.
He therefor charged them and other young Nigerians get involved with the parliament especially the 8th assembly that has thrown its activities open to public view and scrutiny.
“Working with parliament ensures that government works for you and that they are accountable”.
On his part, the Leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, lauded the youth for taking the move to engage the Senate.
“I wish we are able to achieve this type of engagement with as many Nigerians as possible
“We need such engagements to be deepened and encouraged all the time.
“We need to encourage you and see if there are ways to partner with organizations to bring people to see what we do here”, the Senate Leader enthused.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the leader of ‘The Public Senate’ delegation said the perception of the youth on parliament needs to change.
According to him, what the young people experience during such engagement would inspire them to work towards holding public offices.
The convener said as leaders of tomorrow, the youth need to start understanding how government works.
“The Public Senate is a platform aimed at educating and engaging the average Nigerian youth on advocacy issues. Our mandate is also to make the Nigerian youth understand the workings of parliament.
“Over time the youth have come to believe that lawmakers, particularly the senators, only have sessions to debate fat salaries, cars or wardrobe allowances.
“But we now know that this is not true. What we have started is to show the youth what the senate is truly all about and to do this we’ve brought seven young people from all over Nigeria to observe senators debate issues in plenary amongst other activities.
The delegation also participated in masterclass session, where they were lectured on legislative terminologies and procedures on how the Senate works.
Posted by Juliet Ekwebelam
