Adewale T. Adedeji
Lack of experience in navigating the political terrain in Nigeria has been identified as the fundamental problem holding the country’s youth down in their quest to occupy leadership positions at the highest levels. This observation was made in an interview by an aspirant to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adwale Temitope Adedeji.
Mr. Adededji who is hoping to represent the Ifako Ijaiye Constituency 1 of Lagos State on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed the feeling that the youths need to actively get involved in the process of acquiring experience in the ways systems and societies are run and subsequently build on it.
Although, he insisted that most youths have held their own in various aspects of life, be it business, entertainment, media among other fields of endeavour, Adewale, popularly referred to as ATA, held that it is when they get involved that it will be proved that they can do so much.
Having garnered experience working under former governors of Abia and Lagos States, as well as the deputy governor Bornu State, Mr. Adedeji is of the belief that he has what it takes to represent his constituency in Lagos State appropriately.
As the pioneering member of the Young Achievers Campaign Orgnisation of Nigeria (YACOON), a group that massively worked to sensitise the youths about the need to participate in the affairs that concern the citizenry coupled with the fact that he is presently the Special Assistant to the National Leader of APC , Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Youths, Politics and Policy, Mr. Adedeji believes that the youths are gradually getting aware more than ever before of their important roles and responsibilities in the society.
He however expressed regret that the present negative circumstances prevailing in the country whereby, youths are faced with unemployment was a huge problem. Lamenting the situation, he queried:
“Looking at the situation of things in Nigeria, at 30, how many people have gotten a proper job in their life time?
“A 30-year old man will be contesting with a 65-70-year old man that has built empires; built political structures with network of political magicians”.
He stated that a lot of work still needs to be done.
Zeroing in on his political ambition as it relates to finance, Mr. Adewale pointed out that he, as a player of local and grassroots politics who knows everybody and their needs in the seven wards in his local government, some of which he had tried to meet up with, he was confident of sailing through.
According to him: “Once you are identified as a potential and you have what it takes, people will come to your aid and support you”.
