The Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has kicked against President Bola Tinubu’s plan to organise a 30-day Youth Conference.
In his Independence Day broadcast, on Tuesday, Tinubu said his administration would convene a National Youth Conference to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting youths.
He said the conference would provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people, who constituted more than 60 per cent of the population, to participate actively in nation-building.
“By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow.
“The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice,” he said adding that the modalities of thr Confab and selection of delegates would be designed in close consultation with young people through their representatives.
But in a statement, Debo Adeniran, CDHR’s spokesperson, said such conference would not bring any positive result.
“Tinubu does not need any youth conference again, the youth have spoken loud and clear about want they want.
“What this administration needs to do is to address some of the issues raised during the “#EndSars” and “#EndBadGovernnace” protests.
“Such conference will end up being another waste of scare resources. They have asked for return of fuel subsidy to reduce the hardship in town, and if this cannot be reversed, the people should see the impact of the proceeds in their lives,” Adeniran said.
He said instead of providing loans for students, the government should provide grants and more scholarships.
According to him, education should be totally free as least for primary and secondary education, for the masses to be relieved of some burdens.
