I MOVED THE MOTION FOR THE CONSOLIDATED YOUTH FUND - ADETAYO ADEKUNLE

Prince Adekunle Adetayo

At the 4th National Association of Oyo Students Parlamentary lecture held on Saturday, 9th July, 2016, the OMOIYAKUNMI media had an enlightening chat with the Honorable member of the National Youth Parliament representing Oyo Senatorial Constituency, Prince Adetayo Adekunle As he took us through the system of the parliament and some of his achievements since he assumed the office. 

Read along;

OIC:  Can you tell us about the office you occupy and can we say it is a political office?

Prince Adetayo: Thank you very much. As at present, I am a member representing Oyo Central Constituency at the Nigerian Youth Parliament in Abuja. The Nigerian Youth Parliament is a creation of the late President Umar Musa Yar’adua’s administration and it is run by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports. This Parliament was borne out United Nation’s Charter that encourages more youth participation in governance and decision making. It should be known that this is a global phenomenon… The United Kingdom has a youth parliament which is a full elective body. Malaysia has and as I am speaking with you, Ghana is establishing a youth parliament soon.

OIK: That’s enlightening. Now, let’s look at how you got into the office or seat. Was an election conducted or it was basically on selection?

Prince Adetayo: Well, at the moment, and like the other two previous sessions of the parliament, it has been through selection. This is how it is being done; a selection committee headed by the State Commissioner of Youth and Sports, the representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, representatives of voluntary organizations and so on. Presently, we have started drafting a legislative instvrument that will make the membership of the Parliament to be a fully elective one for aspiring youths between the ages of 18 and 35years. We intend to lay it before the National Assembly soon.

OIK: Talking about the Parliament itself, how is it being operated? Is more like the National Assembly?

Prince Adetayo: The Nigerian Youth Parliament is a replica of the Nigerian Senate. It has one hundred and nineteen (119) Honorable members representing their senatorial district based on the existing senatorial composition. Sittings are held in the House of Representatives every quarter. There is a Speaker, a Deputy Speaker and the full paraphernalia of the legislative body. In fact, the Clerk of the National Youth Parliament is the Director of Bills at the Senate. That goes to tell you how important the parliament is to the Federal Government. We sponsor bills, move motions and make resolutions. Already, there is a channel of communication with the Federal Government. Our resolutions are passed directly to the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports who in turn hands it over to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Personally, I have also been engaged in moving motions. I moved the motion for the creation of a consolidated youth funds that will cater for the entrepreneurial needs of the Nigerian youths because white collar jobs are scare to secure now. And luckily enough, most of my colleagues supported it and the resolution has already been forwarded to the Federal Government. 

OIK: If I may ask at this point, ever since you became a member of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, in what way(s) have you been giving members of your constituency feed backs and reports of your assignment?  

Prince Adetayo: Hmm… Very soon, I intend organizing a town hall meeting where we would have student leaders, youth leaders from the 11 Local Government areas in my constituency for a proper inter-face. But beyond that, I have been exploiting the social media to pass messages across. Soon, I will be in some radio stations purposely to engage youths in my constituency. 

OIK: Briefly, can you shed light on the lecture’s topic ‘Change, a Compelling Task for Us All’?

PRINCE ADETAYO: Yes! The concept of change is a normal phenomenon. Everything in life will at a point experience change. And I want to appreciate the organizers of today’s lecture programme for bringing up a topic we can judge on discussion. I think the topic is a very apt one to this present political dispensation. The current government came in promising change and I am sure this lecture will let us know how far we have gone in the process. 

OIK: Good! Now, talking about the State you are from, in what ways have your office impacted or intend to impact in the governance of the state?

PRINCE ADETAYO: On a personal note, I met with the Governor of Oyo State, Gov. Abiola  Ajimobi, a couple of months ago and I was able to present a copy of  a bill titled  ‘Oyo State Youth Empowerment and Development Trust Fund Bill 2016’ to him. I have also consulted with some lawmakers and I wish actions could be expedited to allow quick passage of the bill. I personally gave it to the Governor for him to pass officially to the House of Assembly. This bill seeks to provide funding for youths who have business ideas, set-up capital for tertiary institution graduates and upgrade of our vocational centres across the State. Also, there is a provision in the bill that allows for Public-Private Patnership (PPP). I am very sure that if this bill is passed and signed into law by the State government, it will go a long way in reducing the scourge of unemployment in the State.

Secondly, I have also met with the Chief Judge of Oyo State and I discussed the digitalization of the Oyo State judiciary with him. As of now, lawyers in State who live outside Ibadan and even some who live within must have to get to the Secretariat to find out when he or she has a hearing. I have seen cases where a lawyer travels to Ibadan for a hearing only to be told the Judge had gone on vacation. But if the judiciary is digitalized, in the comfort of his or her room, a lawyer can just click to make enquiries on when a hearing comes up. This will even facilitate quick dispensation of justice and make judgments more accessible.

OIK: Wow, that’s impressive. Now, on a final note, do you see the present office as a propelling opportunity for a political ambition?

PRINCE ADETAYO: (Smiling). Actually, human beings are naturally ambitious but sincerely, I am not overambitious. My life is all about service to humanity. The present post I occupy is just an avenue for me to contribute my quota to the development of the nation. In the nearest future, I may even decide to contest as the Governor of Oyo State. 

AD