In an interview granted to Kosofe Post, the Kosofe Chapter youth leader of All Progressives Congress Barrister Moyo Ogunlewe, and the current Senior Special Assistant to Kosofe Local Government Chairman Alufohai Omokhudu urged the youth to see themselves as job providers rather than jobseekers among other sundry issues.
What is your driving passion?
My passion is to have more youth participate in politics and decision-making in Nigeria.
I was the founder of extraordinary gentlemen and at the last local government election for chairmanship candidates of our party were members of the extraordinary Gentlemen.
Can you tell us more about Extraordinary Gentlemen?
Extraordinary Gentlemen Worldwide Is a registered association whose members are young professionals living within Kosofe LGA.
It’s a non-profit organization that its main aim is touching the lives of youth within Kosofe and Nigeria at large.
In the last local government election, the association had four of its members contesting for the seat of chairman of Kosofe LG and one for Councilor.
I am the founder and BOT chairman and Dr Babatunde Owolabi is the present President.
How would you describe the appointment of young person as Chief of staffs, and other aides by Moyo Ogunlewe’s, unlike what we have in the past?
During his campaign as Chairman Kosofe LGA he promised to have youth involvement in governance and present day Nigeria is demanding for more youth involvement in governance and his appointment of Young individuals irrespective of Ethnic backgrounds into his cabinet as shown that Hon.(Barr.) MOYOSORE OGUNLEWE is a man that keeps to his promise and wants everyone in Kosofe involved in governance.
President Muhammad Buhari’s urged to the Youths in 2019 to until 2023 before testing the not too young run law assented by him. Do you see your party providing a level playing field for the youths in next year general elections?
APC is a party of the youth and the youth at hearts and judging by the party candidates for the last local government election, I can tell you for a fact that 70% of those candidates were youth both male and female, so it’s not rocket science to see the direction the party is heading
The party also ensured that the nomination fee paid by youth was reduced in the last local government
The party has always provided a level playing field for everyone when it comes to elective positions and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Working with Kosofe Local Government political head, Moyo Ogunlewe, and career civil servants. Could you share your experience with us?
[Smiles] It’s an interesting experience for me, especially when it comes to balancing the interests of everyone.
Having the opportunity to work under a visionary leader like Hon Bar MOYOSORE OGUNLEWE, the work is a bit easier as all we have to do is to bring his vision to reality.
I have the best of relationship with my Seniors as I call them at the council and my leaders as I called them at the party and this is showing by the achievement of this administration under 6 months.
What do you think that can be done to reduce unemployment and drug abuse among the youths?
Unemployment is a major challenge in Nigeria, there are few jobs available out there, that’s why I will encourage Entrepreneurship.
I like the Lagos State University model that mandated its student to specialize in a particular craft while studying at the Institution.
That is the right way to go, The youth must begin to see themselves as job providers rather than jobseekers.
On Drug Abuse, there’s a popular saying that the Idle mind is the devil’s workshop…, we must engage our youths to keep them busy and that’s why I intend as APC youth leader Kosofe LGA to begin a series of training and mentorship programs that will keep our youths engaged.
As different contestants under the platform of APC’s set to hit the Street campaigning for 2023 General elections. What’s your advice to the youths who may want to align with the different candidates?
My advice is that you listen carefully to their Manifesto and pitch your tent to the candidate that you believe has the best interest of the youth of Kosofe LGA.