A renowned cleric, Prophet Christopher Owolabi, on Saturday, urged the youth to be at the forefront of promoting the growth and sustenance of the nation’s democratic system.

Owolabi, who is the General Overseer of the Christ Apostolic Church, Ori-Oke Irapada, Omu-Aran, gave the advice in Omu-Aran, Kwara, during a special prayer service tagged: “Toward the Sustenance of Nigeria’s Democracy’’.

The cleric said that the role of the youth in nation building could not be overemphasised.

Owolabi noted that it was time the youth exhibit high sense of academic excellence, scientific expertise and moral values to assume the mantle of leadership.

“The youth can only assume the leadership position in the nearest future as expected when they fully prepare academically, morally and scientifically.

“That is the major difference between the two classes of youths in today’s society. There are those equipped with required relevant sound academic background in administration and those who are mere followers of politicians.

“In the case of the second group of youths who are being used as political thugs, body-guards, the efforts toward sustenance of our cherished democratic system might be a mirage or threatened.

“Without mincing word, Nigerian youths of today hold the key to a developed economic status envisioned for the country and that should be the major pre-occupation of every positive minded youths,” he said.

Owolabi, who praised the recent passage of the “Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill’’ by the National Assembly, said it posed a great challenge to the youths in re-ordering their priorities toward active participation in the nation’s political landscape.

The cleric also used the opportunity to counsel parents and religious leaders to step up their parental responsibility and preaching toward shaping the future of the nation’s youth populace.

He also appealed to youth organisations and advocacy groups not to relent in organising seminars, symposium and sensitisation toward disabusing the minds of the youth on get-rich-quick syndrome and engaging in illicit acts.

“Youth involvement in armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, insurgency and all forms of ungodly acts will do more harm than good to bastardise our image and other developmental efforts,” the cleric said. (NAN)

– Feb. 2, 2019 @ 15:20 GMT |