Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
Bukola Saraki, former senate president, says Nigeria’s past and present policies are not working.
Saraki made the comment during the presentation of “The Urgency of Now; Why Nigeria needs a Vision of Prosperity and Liberty,” a book by Seun Awogbenle.
The former Senate President said the “rot” Nigerians are currently facing is overwhelming, adding that the country needs a vision for the future.
“Just the other day the Economists’ article on the state of affairs in Nigeria; the title of the article which was ‘Nigeria is stuck in the rot’, emphasises the need for the nation’s vision as emphasised by Seun’s ‘Urgency of Now’ book advocate for,” he said.
“So what do we do? Clearly, the policies of the past and present are longer sustaining us. Clearly, the rot that we are currently in is overwhelming. Additionally, it is also apparent that if care is not taken, we may be on the road towards a dangerous path …when the nosediving economy is mixed with the ongoing insecurity and skyrocketing unemployment….
“This is why we clearly need a vision for the future. This is why moving forward, the mainstay for Nigeria’s development agenda must be anchored on human capital development for our young people.”
Saraki said for the country to witness rapid development, young people must be integrated into all levels of the country’s development planning.
He said the youths must push for the passing of the electoral act amendment bill to ensure that the electoral process is fair, credible and transparent.
“On page four of the book, the author argues that the lead thing for our collective future must be founded on the vision and ideas of our young, on this, I wholeheartedly agree with him. As much as we realise that our nation needs the experience of its older generation, we must come to accept that we need the energy, passion, drive and determination of our young people,” he said.
“It is the young people of every generation that have the fire to insist on the now. This is because young people understand that change doesn’t come by waiting for it. That is why today it gives me great joy when I reflect on the eighth senate when I had the opportunity to see the delegation from YIAGA come pushing for Not-too-young-to-run bill.
“I remember that time that they were sceptical if it is possible that the bill will be passed, but I told them that it would be passed. I am happy it was one of those that we did work hard and it was passed.
“If we do want the young people to participate in politics whether they are running for elections or political positions, then we must have an electoral process that gives them the opportunity to do that. Today, we have to be realistic most of our young people have not got a fighting chance in the way we play politics that is really money-driven.”
