by Omoleye Omoruyi
Before now, the general idea has been that youth are instrument used to instigate violent clashes, to win elections and perpetuate evil, but in a grassroots engagement series held on June 23, Mushin Local Government, youth allege that the action of government officials and leaders of the community pushes them to seek alternative to government – considering they only hear empty promises.
Community Leaders, CDC chairmen at the YMonitor grassroots engagement held at Ijesha, Mushin Local government area
Mushin LG, especially Ijesha community cannot claim to have stable power electricity, the roads are death traps, unemployment among resident youth is prevalent, the drainages are either filled or absent, and when some of the community leaders spoke up, they asked for patience.
Youths making complaints to their community leaders at the YMonitor grassroots engagement held at Mushin LGA, Ijesha
Youths asking questions at the YMonitor grassroots engagement held at Mushin LGA, Ijesha
Youths at the grassroots engagement decried government neglect and what they perceived as hypocrisy on the part of government officials, they accused officials of Mushin local government of taking the glory for their communal effort. According to the youth, some of their effort at de-silting the drainages in the community which is actually the responsibility of the LGA are not recognized or appreciated, rather the LGA claims responsibility for their own effort.
Cross-section of participants at the YMonitor grassroots engagement at Mushin LGA, Ijesha
The Youth also accused the community development association of lacklustre attitude especially with regards to the estimated billing they receive from the electricity company. They also lament the fact that previous promises made in the past to solve the problem experienced in the community have not been solved and so threatened not to partake in any gathering they are invited to until the issues such as erratic electricity supply, estimated billing, poor infrastructures and youth unemployment are addressed.
Community leaders speaking at the YMonitor grassroots engagement
One of the participants at the YMonitor grassroots engagement at Mushin LGA,Ijesha
The CDA chairmen, councillors and ward officials at the engagement used the opportunity of the grassroots engagement to inform the youth of the efforts being made to address some of the problems and promised to intensify efforts at reducing the issues.