The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the 30-day National Youth Conference announced by President Bola Tinubu in his Independence Anniversary broadcast.
The Association claimed that the proposed conference was a wasteful exercise aimed at distracting the youths from Tinubu’s failures.
Speaking via a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA lamented that the government was focusing on a superficial attempt to placate the youths while ignoring the pressing issues at hand.
The group argued that it was a futile gambit aimed at projecting an image of youth inclusion when in reality, the government has failed to tackle the critical issues hindering the progress of Nigerian youths.
The association referred to the conference as “forum shopping,” intended to mask the government’s shortcomings.
“This so-called National Youth Conference is nothing more than a cash-guzzling charade, destined to achieve little to no meaningful outcomes.
Rather than organizing another talk shop, the government should focus on addressing the urgent challenges that directly impact the lives of Nigerian youths, such as poor infrastructure, economic stagnation, and high unemployment,” HURIWA said.
The organization highlighted the deteriorating state of infrastructure across the country, noting that the lack of development stifles creativity, innovation, and economic advancement for young people.
HURIWA also pointed out that these conditions have led to a surge in irregular migration, as many young Nigerians seek opportunities abroad.
“The youths are among the hardest hit by the Naira’s depreciation, a direct result of the administration’s poor economic policies. This has led to widespread unemployment and deepened poverty levels, yet the government is choosing to distract the youth with an empty conference instead of addressing these issues head-on.
It is deeply troubling that instead of implementing policies to stabilize prices or lower the cost of living, the government is pouring money into a conference that will yield no meaningful results. This is not responsible governance,” HURIWA lamented.
The group also called attention to the rising cost of living, rampant inflation, and the lack of price stability as further evidence of the government’s mismanagement of the economy.
