Protocol

My dear Benue youth, youth of the All Progressives Congress (APC). I stand before you this morning to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for your unflinching determination and unalloyed support and loyalty to our great party, the APC in Benue State and Nigeria at large.

2. I am not unaware of the challenges that you have continued to face and the sacrifices you have made for a better Benue and a better Nigeria. Some of you have lost loved ones for the cause of change, yet your determination remains steadfast and unshaken. The party appreciates you for what you have been doing.

 

3. Having said that, let me state that the present and future well-being of our dear State and Nigeria lies on your shoulders and we pledge to provide a fertile ground for you to realize your dreams and aspirations. Never will it be said that our great Party, the APC undermines the youth in the affairs of state. We have started to demonstrate this by ensuring that youth are involved in various leadership positions at all levels of the party.

 

4. We want to thank and commend you once again for the peaceful manner you conducted yourselves during the ENDSARS protests. Benue State did not record any incidence of destruction or civil unrest. We commend the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, for the swift manner in which it responded to the demands of the protesters which, if not properly handled, would have snowballed into a national disaster.

 

5. To demonstrate his love for the youth as leaders of tomorrow, President Muhammadu Buhari has translated these words into action by initiating so many youth friendly programmes. The Social Investment Programme (SIP) is the largest and most ambitious social safety net programme in the history of Nigeria with over 12 million direct beneficiaries. Programmes like the N-Power, N-Tech and N-Agro, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), agricultural programmes, amongst others, are all targeted at enriching the youth and achieving Mr. President’s desire of reducing the unemployment rate in Nigeria.

 

6. The President also signed the “Not Too Young to Run Bill” to encourage the active participation of young people in governance at all levels in Nigeria.

7. You are the hope for a better future. This you must not take for granted.

 

8. It is now incumbent on you not to disappoint the confidence we have in you. I am confident that with this kind of determination, the future of the Party and that of the state by extension is guaranteed. Remain resolute in your pursuit of programmes for a better Benue. Hard work, perseverance and commitment do pay.

 

9. Some of us will soon leave the stage, but I am confident that with this kind of determination, it is evident that our efforts and those of our leaders over the years will not be in vain.

 

10. I remember in 2019, APC youth marched round Makurdi town in expression of solidarity with the party. APC youth in Benue are unique and different. I am proud of you.

 

11. APC is a party that encourages participation in her activities by all members, hence the existence of several bodies such as the one we are inaugurating here today, the APC Youth Council. The main objective of this youth arm of the party is to support the mobilization efforts of the party across the state. Let me quickly add that your council should not run at cross purposes with the State Executive Council of the party. The State Executive Council of the party is the highest organ of the party charged with the day-to-day running of the party at the state level and is supreme at all times.

 

13. I charge you to go to your various places, get your membership of our great party revalidated and mobilize prospective members to come out and register as members of our great Party.

 

14. On our part as leaders of the Party, we will give you the desired support to effect success in your quest for a positive change both within the Party and the state in general. I have not doubt in your ability to succeed.

 

15. God bless you and I wish you a safe return to your various destinations