Presented by Comr. Caleb Ure Danjuma.
A Journalist by profession, A youth activist and a Politician in the making.

Paper presented at the 1st editions of Taraba youth roundtable “Taraba youth & politics” At Gym Hall, Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo, Taraba State 28th Oct. 2018.

I welcome you all to this historic event, and I stand by the existing protocol I want to command the coverner committee for given round Table and the entire organizing committee for given me this opportunity to see, how see can redefine our purpose towards achieving our goals.
Generally, youth age refers to the time of life between being a child and an adult ….. Being a youth is having the appearance, freshness, vigor etc these are characteristic of one who is young.
The outlook of politics in Nigeria gives one an impression of an engagement for individuals who are advanced in age. Participation of youth in politics appears to be restricted to the grassroots and platform offered by media for most youth, the idea of active participation in politics is a negative subject. It is also believe that politics is a dirty game, and as such, it interest only few among the youths.
Consequently, there seem to be a growing gap between politics and young people in Taraba state the need to fill this increasing void is urgent, considering the importance of youth to the future of the nation. I challenge each and every one of us this evening that it is important for youths, to be properly represented in the Nations politics with the likes of Hin Emma Bello, Amb Emma George and so many in Taraba state. By increasing our participation, we can ensure that Taraba youth interest is protected.
However, the youth have not realized how they could re-organized the political system with their collective power.it is important to know that youths 35years and under have constitute about 70% of the population of this country. This implies that immense youthful participation could determines election out in Nigeria.
Although the population advantage has been there for a while, its potency to bring about credible leadership for Nigeria has been eroded by a number of factors. One of these factors is the low voting rate. This can be attributed to the fast ditching faith of citizen’s democratic institutions in the country. Some of us hererefuse to participate because we believed election for instance, would be rigged anyway. Therefor called on young people of Taraba state and other eligible citizens to exercise our democratic fight without bias or manipulation but rather with the motives to bring about credible leadership in Nigeria it is also crucial to spread correct information in these topics of redefining our purpose, especially to those without access to this information we received here today. This is to help counter propaganda and political chicane that are usually been used as tools, by aspirants in the past.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the level of political participation is directly proportionate to individual income status with numerous factors. Individual level of income determine the degree of political participations,for example, I know one among the political cabal in Borno state sold his house where he reside with his family in course of buying a new car that would access him to tap politicians to build a grounded bridge into po9litices. Imagine if this guy has no resources of sold his house just to buy a car what of the other intellectual saga has no resource that will uplift his access links to the politicians? These with low politician participation often lack the resources and opportunities to become directly involves in politics due to the segregation, some tend to avoid the participation because they feel the probability reward is low – lack of full participation and disorganization among the Taraba youth in politics became from of resources to the statusquo. The interest of privilege is not represented. The gap between the rich and power must be reducing. The youth must be allowed to involve in politics because statistic data shows that Nigerians youth constitute the largest the largest constituency of over 70% of the over 180 million people, youth and Majority of them are politically marginalize. Another factor hinders, youth involvement in politics is godfatherism, it has become a norms that for you to join politics you are require to be under a prominent person who will be your prime father, and if you don’t have any, it discourage the youth from participation in politics.
Personally what wonder me is since then we are called the leaders of tomorrow. I am disappointed to find out in reality the leaders of tomorrow donsent in Nigeria. The country lack of political will for her youths.
My fellow youths, we can only change our doom fate when we united irrespevtive of Religious, Tribe, Race, and political belief. We must embrace NOTTOO YOUNG TO RUN. In also with an opinion that we have a bill of NOTTOO POOR TO RUN. If not the nation leaders of tomorrow will not be fashionable.
Ladies and gentlemen, Taraba youth have come to betered that it is by becoming political things that we could be successful, especially retire and become a statement. But I’m appealing this might that we should be included so as to give us experience for greater tomorrow.
OUR WEAK POINT
In contest, today reality is a polity where Taraba youth are use as election consultant, social media battalionsand political things. ButI stand here this night to tell everyone that we the youth are our biggest problem. Greed, selfish ambition, lack of capacity and over completion have conspired to weaken the ability of Taraba youth to come together as a united front that advances the well-being of young Tarabianslet’s look at some of the changes that have constraivedthe typical Taraba youth to the fringes of political leadership, governance and why nobody takes usserious when it comes to politics and decision making.
First, selfishness, the idea that you must have everything for yourself and others can go to hell is a predominant characteristics of young people today especially we Taraba youth.
Then we also have the integrity challenges; young people cannot expect to be trusted with leadership, it can inself politicians on social media are moment and the next moment we approach these same politicians cap in hand.