The lawmaker representing Oyo South senatorial district, Senator Kola Balogun says Nigerian youths must get involved in politics.
Senator Balogun stated this on Saturday while speaking at the 2020 edition of the Lead Conference themed “Leadership and the way forward in Nigeria.”
The conference, which is in its 11th year, was convened by the chairman of Ibadan East Local Council Development Authority, Hon. Abiodun Babalola.
Speaking further, Senator Balogun noted that Nigeria is currently in a dysfunctional state and it will take the restructuring of its entire system for it to thrive.
“This nation as at today is dysfunctional. We have to reasructure this country. Whether the North likes it or not, we will restructure this country. I am a member of the Senate committee on Army and we know what we saw when we visited the North, there is Boko Haraw in the North East and bandits in the North West.
“Our Army can’t win this war because it is a guerrilla warfare. Everyday we mourn in the Senate, one day I had to stand up and say ‘are we turning this place to a house of mouning?’ the next day we held a close door meeting and that was where the concept of Amotekun came up.
“There was a day I had to stand up and say the security architecture in this country is not working; I am in support of regional intervention. I am in support of state police.
“We have a dysfunctional country; we have a dysfunctional government. The youths of this country must get involved.
“When I want to move the motion for Ibadan Airport upgrade, I went to Stella Oduah and asked why she didn’t do it when she was Minister of Aviation, she said, ‘Ibadan is a civil service state’, I said, ‘No, Ibadan is not’ and explained to her the economic strength of the state. She then said, ‘I’ll support you.’
“Even if it requires seeking the support of the private sector, Ibadan Airport will be upgraded to an international one,” the lawmaker, who once served as a commerce commissioner, said.
Echoing the submission of Senator Balogun, the convener, Mr. Babalola maintained that it is important for youths to contribute to nation building by getting involved through any means they find easy and comfortable.
Other speakers at the conference held at Palm 77 Hotel were the chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Oyo State, Mr. Demola Babalola and ace broadcaster, Mr. Dotun Saseyi.
