Dr. Ahmed Adamu met wih the UN Secretary General, Banki Moon, Nigerian President, HE Muhammadu Buhari and other Prime MInisters and Presidents of the Commonwealth Nations

Dr. Ahmed Adamu with the United Nation's Secretary General, Ban-Ki Moon


Dr. Ahmed Adamu with the Nigerian Presdient, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari


Dr. Ahmed Adamu presenting token of appreciation to the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Maithripala Sirisena for the support government of Sri Lanka gives to the young people.


On behalf of the 1.2 Billion young people of the Commonwealth, Dr. Ahmed Adamu Presented token of appreciation to Prime Minister of Malta, H.E. Joseph Muscat for hosting the 2015 CYC General Assembly and CYF.


Dr. Ahmed Adamu with the President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta


Prime Minister of Cameroon, H.E. Philémon Yang and Dr. Ahmed Adamu. They exchanged pleasantries and contacts and had some few discussions while the Nigerian minister of state for environment keenly listens.



The Prime Minister of Samoa, H.E. Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi with Dr. Ahmed Adamu



The Prime Minister of Grenada, H.E. Keith Mitchell with Dr. Ahmed Adamu


Dr. Ahmed Adamu with the Prime Minister of Lesotho



President of Malta, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca with Dr. Ahmed Adamu


CYC Chair, Ahmed Adamu, in hand shake with the Speaker of parliament Malta, Hon Anglu Farrugia


The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau also joined Dr. Ahmed Adamu and other youth leaders during the breakfast youth interactive session with the Heads of Government.

Dr. Ahmed Adamu speaking during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Youth Council's General Assembly and CYF, sharing the stage with him is the Prime Minister of Malta and the Commonwealth Secretary General

The first business session of the Commonwealth Youth Council's General Assembly ‪#‎CYCGA‬ at the ‪#‎CYF2015‬ ‪#‎WhatNext

Dr. Ahmed Adamu bagged 3 international Awards in Malta

During the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta, Dr. Ahmed Adamu, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) received three international awards for his outstanding achievements and service to the young people of the Commonwealth. These awards are:

1. Outstanding Service Award by the Commonwealth
2. Global Achievers Award by Global Achievers Award
3. Award of Excellence by the Commonwealth Youth Council Secretariat

Dr. Adamu also presented awards to some selected Presidents and Prime Ministers of some Commonwealth nations, which include; Prime Minister of Malta, President of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

Speech delivered by Ahmed Adamu, the Chairperson Commonwealth Youth Council during the Opening ceremony and plenary session at the 10TH Commonwealth Youth Forum and 2nd Commonwealth Youth Council General Assembly, Malta, November 2015.

The Prime Minister of Malta, other Presidents and Prime Ministers here present, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, youth delegates, ladies and gentlemen!

On behalf of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), the official voice of the young people in the Commonwealth, I would like to welcome and congratulate all the youth participants to this historic Commonwealth Youth Forum and the Commonwealth Youth Council’s General Assembly, the first official youth meetings parallel to the CHOGM that the young people ourselves are co-convening.
The young people’s strength and potentials are increasingly been recognised and appreciated in the Commonwealth. This is demonstrated by the active and inclusive participation of the young people in every process of decision making at various levels in the Commonwealth, and this forum is one of the big examples.
And with these I would say in Maltese language: Merhaba Gio Malta
This forum is historic for us, because it is during this forum that the CYC’S second general assembly is taking place, where young people for the first time will receive feedback on the interventions made in response to their calls from the preceding forum. There have been 9 series of this forum, but there have never been a formal democratic transition of youth leadership except in this 10th series, so this is historic.
It is Historic because it is for the first time a country is hosting the forum twice and for the third time it is hosted in Europe. The inaugural youth forum was held in Edinburgh, UK, 18 years ago. Since then there have been increasing spaces for the young people to participate in this high level decision meeting.
This forum is also historic, because it is for the first time we have young people without the connection, and without being nominated by their country, but by virtue of their competence and commitments they are here through the open selection process that allowed every young person to apply to participate in this forum.
This is historic as the first Commonwealth Youth Council’s transition from one democratically elected executives to another will take place.
It is also historic, as this is the biggest Commonwealth Youth Event taking place since the adoption of the successor development goals i.e. SDGs , and therefore, it is opportunity for the young people from the Commonwealth, who formed more than half of the global youth population to reflect on these development goals as well as other current and past global, regional and national declarations and commitments and develop an implementation and action framework that will ensure success of these commitments.
The recommendations coming from this forum have been widely consulted for over a year, and young people are here once more to further discuss on these various thematic areas with a view to putting forward a practicable recommendations.
So these recommendations will answer the question of what next? What next after SDGs adoption, what next after CHOGM, and with the Commonwealth having the largest youth generation and with adequate spaces like this, we are confident that young people of the Commonwealth will play effective role in implementation of these commitments.
One thing we can do better is not to only place the young people in place, but make them in charge, and this is the area the Commonwealth needs to improve at all levels. There is difference between being in place and being in charge. And the Commonwealth Youth Council is the appropriate platform through which we can make the young people become in charge in their countries and at regional levels. Commonwealth can only add global value if the young people will continue to be in charge especially in matters that affect us.
As the first ever CYC executives, we have received our mandate from the last Commonwealth Youth Forum/Commonwealth Youth Council General Assembly in Sri Lanka, and we are here to report back to the young people on what we have done on their behalves toward ensuring effective implementation of their recommendations.
There is nothing for the youth without the youth, any youth-less decision is useless, and we are convinced that Commonwealth’s decisions process are useful as it has been youthful. The bond of friendship and brotherhood of the Common family is further bonded among the largest ever youth generation in the Commonwealth.
Attending this forum enable us to further broaden our networks of friendship and partnership, essential elements for success in the modern world. And this has given us confidence for the better future of the Commonwealth.
This is the only international forum in the entire world where young people interact with the heads of government and make direct inputs in to the heads of government’s commitments.
I therefore welcome all you of you to the 2nd Commonwealth Youth Council’s general assembly, and I can imagine how excited it feels that the campaign for the executive positions are getting hot now, and we all looking forward to the election. We hope that the new executives to be elected will build on the foundation and the institution we set for the Commonwealth Youth Council.
Ahmed Adamu

President of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) Ahmed Adamu has criticized President Muhammadu Buhari for discriminating against young people in his cabinet appointments.

Adamu who is the first ever Nigerian to be elected to chair the Commonwealth Youth Council, said cabinet posts are increasingly being reserved for the much older generation and youths between 18-35 as per Nigeria’s Youth Policy, are being neglected despite being qualified and capable.

He said Nigeria, as a commonwealth country, was not upholding the charter it signed up on youth participation in politics.

He argued that the continued exclusion of youths will interrupt sustainability and cause disengagement and frustration among the rising number of youths in the country.

“According to the Nigerian constitution, a young person cannot be a senator, a young person cannot be a governor, and over 70% of the young people in the country cannot aspire to be members of the House of Representatives,” Adamu lamented.

He suggested the country’s constitution should be reviewed because failure to mix the opinions of the old and the new generation could hinder the country’s ability to adapt and progress with the changing times.

The recent appointments to President Buhari’s cabinet revealed that the youngest person is 48 years of age, more than 10 years older than the cut off mark for someone to be considered a youth, while the oldest person is 68 years of age.

This, Mr Adamu points out, is a poor representation of the current generation who are equally qualified.

Adamu said, “the history of Nigeria showed that young people have participated actively at the highest decision making level, and this record has been kept until the last administration in the country,” adding, “we, the youth, are disappointed that none of the nominated ministers in the country is a young person within this age bracket despite the apparent and unprecedented sacrifice made by the Nigerian youth in this year’s elections. Not to mention their undeniable competence and integrity.”

Meanwhile, it seems that trouble is not over for Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers state who is set to be screened by the Senate tomorrow, October 20. The Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions may have advised a stay of action on Amaechi’s screening.

http://www.nigeriadailynews.news/news/212088-commonwealth-slams-buhari-for-excluding-youths-from-cabinet.html

Old Breed Without New Breed, Breeds Break

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

The definition of a young person in the Nigerian Youth Policy and African Youth Charter is someone between the age of 18 and 35.

In the history of this country, we have had many young people within this age bracket that performed well in Nigeria’s leadership. These include people like Yakubu Gowon who became Head of state at the age of 32 and Shehu Musa Yar’adua who became what is equivalent to Vice President at the age of 33.  Mathew Tawo Mbu became minister of labour at the age of 23, Nurudeen Mohammed became minister of state Foreign affairs at the age of 33 to mentioned but a few. In other Commonwealth nations, young people still play active role in the leadership of their countries.

Nigeria is an important Commonwealth country and it needs to take a cue from other Commonwealth nations in line with the Commonwealth charter and commitment to young people that emphasized on the importance of youth participation. The history of Nigeria showed that young people have participated actively at the highest decision making level, and this record has been kept until the last administration in the country. With the apparent and unprecedented sacrifice made by the Nigerian youth in the March/April, 2015 national elections as well as their undeniable competence and integrity, the youth must be included in the federal cabinet. We, the youth, are disappointed that none of the nominated ministers in the country is a young person within this age bracket. All of the nominated ministers are above 41, the age at which President Muhammadu Buhari became head of state in 1983, some 30years ago.

And if President Buhari could lead well as young person as he was, then the current young generation may even do better. The current young generation on average is more qualified, wiser, and more experienced than the then youth generation. This was made possible by the amazing improvement in technological advancement and education since then till now.

All over the world, young people participate in high level decision making processes, young people are beyond being subordinates, and we are active players and partners in sustainable development. If they say we are inexperienced, then how could one become experienced if s/he is not given the job? If you want to teach someone how to drive a car, you have to bring him inside the car, on the front seat, unfortunately, the youth in Nigeria are out of the car for now. The change agenda in the country must include actualisation of the larger proportion of young leaders, the change must not be the reverse of the past but improvement.

It is erroneous to assume young people do not have what it takes to lead. We have among young people in Nigeria, professionals and technocrats in all sectors of the economy. According to the Nigerian constitution,  a young person cannot be a senator, a young person cannot be a governor, and over 70% of the young people in the country cannot aspire to be members of House of Representatives. That is enough discrimination already for young people. Despite this discrimination, the young people are still left out of the federal cabinet. The country’s constitution should be reviewed to allow more participation of the youth to meet up with the drop of life expectancy rate in the country. If the youth are not prepared now, how can we in the future have a young president in the country? The country’s president himself has once acknowledged that his old age sometimes limit his performance to some extent, and this should have informed him of the needed vigour that young people will bring in his administration that they fought hard to make a reality.

The youth did not make the change possible because they want positions, but it's doesn't require rocket science to understand the importance of young people in leadership.  The elderly people who could not withstand the stress to protect the ballot boxes are now enjoying the change victory. Loyalty and friendship should not be the only yardstick in choosing the cabinet. If the ministerial selections were to be made through rigorous competency interview (like in corporate organisations), many Nigerian youth will beat some of the nominees.

The youth are not happy for being excluded in the ministerial nominations, and we always ask them (the youth) to be respectful and loyal, and if they become more agitated, no amount of persuasion will stop them. Of course, we need the old hands, but it has to be mixed with energy and innovation, and the youth can bring that in the country. So, old breed without new breed, breeds break. If youth are not mixed, there is going to be disconnect and interruption in sustainability of whatever legacy the All Progressive Congress (APC) administration might leave behind. The youth are the ones that may live to uphold the APC legacies and tell the stories to the country’s future generation, just like the way the current leaders tell stories of their ancestors who gave them the opportunities to became what they are now. So this chain must not be broken. It has to be sustained.

Therefore, we the youth are not happy for being excluded in the ministerial nomination, and we call on the Nigerian president and his party to appoint young people in the cabinet, and ensure that 30% of all political appointments in the country are given to the youth. For the ruling party in the country to enjoy further support from the youth, it has to show commitment toward youth participation in its administration, otherwise 2019 is around the corner. It may just be a game changer.

Ahmed Adamu

President, Commonwealth Youth Council

London, UK

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/youth-council-slams-buhari-for-excluding-youths-from-cabinet/115500.html

SPEECH DELIVERED BY AHMED ADAMU, PRESIDENT, COMMONWEALTH YOUTH COUNCIL DURING THE 55TH NIGERIAN INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, UK ON OCTOBER 2, 2015.

Nigeria is home to a quarter of the African population. After being colonised for over 60 years, the country gained independence 55 years ago. Young Nigerians of different generations have contributed to every remarkable milestone the country has achieved. The young people of 1960s fought hard to secure independent Nigeria. For instance, young people laid down their lives to preserve the oneness and unity of Nigeria during the civil war. The young people were brave enough to endure the military rulers and struggled for a true democratic nation. The young people are the propellers of the Nigerian economy, which is the largest in the continent. Young people were instrumental to the success of the recent historic democratic change of gaurd where for the first time in the history of Nigeria, a democratic transition from one political party to another at the centre was made possible. This is a sign of growing maturity of democracy in the country and sense of patriotism by the young people.

Change in political party is not the only change the Nigerian youth are seeking, but it is the gateway to achieve the real change, and that is what has motivated the Nigerian youth to vote for change in the last election. Nigerian youth didn't vote for a particular party, they voted for the vehicle that will drive them to the promised land. A promise land where access to quality education is equal and affordable to all within the Nigerian borders, a land where success is determined by how hard one works and how competent one is, a land where access to basic life requirements, power, health care, and potable water is equal for all economic classes. The promised land we dreamt of was the one where lives of young people sleeping in their dormitories or in worship places or in parks or market places or in their homes are safe and secured.

The road to the promised land could be steep, but with the same resilience, patriotism and sense of responsibility from the young people, Nigeria will get to the promised land. Young people’s role in achieving the real change is therefore inevitable, and the young people have all what it takes to make the real change happen. As we celebrate the 55th independence, we should reflect and assess ourselves to know how far away we are to the promised land. And what, individually, can we do to push the train a bit forward. Every single push matters, every person’s hand is needed. It moves faster with more hands, and this call for more inclusive governance and sense of responsibility.

Responsibility is what all Nigerian young persons need to have; everyone needs to think that he/she is responsible for the security of his neighbourhood. If you notice a suspicious stranger or movement, you have to take the responsibility to notify the relevant authorities. If you see your neighbour’s child not going to school, you have to feel responsible and help put the child back to school. If the waterways of your neighbourhood is dirty, take responsibility and clean it up or organise a local fund raising to seal off all sewages in your area. If you engage or allow little corruption, you have to take responsibility to stop it. If you see someone in difficult circumstance, feel responsible and offer a helping hand. We have to be our brothers’ keepers. Feeling and acting responsible are the initial pushes and necessary steps to the promised land.

Whatever we celebrate today as a nation, it is a celebration of collective individual success stories of citizens who became and felt responsible.  Talking about the size of the economy, the success of every economy or nation lies on individual success of the people who felt responsible and became entrepreneurs, who felt responsible for their unemployment and thought of a business idea to solve an existing problem. Economies and nations can never prosper when their teaming young generation think only of government's responsibility for their unemployment or other plights. People have the power to change government by changing their collective attitude and instilling an unyielding sense of responsibility.

This is the first independence celebration since that historical democratic change, and it was easy for the young people to make it happen, because they believed it should be different that time, and they took responsibility to make it happen. This has taught us that once we collectively believe in something and feel responsible for it, we can achieve it, and there is no time more important for the young people to strengthen the spirit of belief and responsibility than now, because the journey to the promised land just begun, and I have no doubt in my mind that we as young people will get there.

Most of us here are Nigerians, and we are here in a foreign land. Many of us are here to pursue our dream for quality education, and we feel proud and happy for that. For me, my coming here made me feel guilty and responsible, I always ask myself, what about my brothers and sisters in my community who could not have the rare chance of securing a foreign scholarship? Would this mean they will not have it even if they want it, because they can’t go abroad? Access to quality education should not be an optional, it is a necessity, and lack of it is the root cause of Boko Haram, cultism and kidnapping. While providing equal access to quality education, you are by extension tackling millions of issues. That is why in every religion, education is the number one priority, and it is through education that nations prosper. Nigerian educational institutions are not up to the standards because they are not the first and only option. 

Because, the rich people and people in government always have option of sending their children abroad to acquire quality education, they will always do that, but if they don't have that option, everybody will feel responsible and contribute toward making our educational institutions better. I think it is high time for Nigerian government to stop feeding foreign institutions. We create jobs for others at the expense of our people. We can do most of our learning back in our country. Going abroad to study should be for special courses or programmes only and when necessary. Let us build our institutions so that British people will also go to Nigeria to study. 

As we celebrate 55th independence anniversary, its been estimated that Nigeria's oil reserves will dry up in 53 years’ time. So, what are we preparing for our children? Nigeria must diversify its economy and we should enhance our agricultural and mineral resource sectors to cure the lingering resource curse. In 1960, one dollar was purchased at N0.71, and today it is purchased at N199 officially that is. In 1960, Nigerian external debt stocks was zero, and as at the end of last year (2014) it was around $44 billion (N7 Trillion). In 1960, inflation rate in Nigeria was 6%. It has now doubled (12%) and  in 1960 tooo, unemployment rate was barely 3%, and in 2014 it was 25%. So it is time for us to deeply reflect on why these indicators keep rising, and we can return to 1960 or even better. This is the purpose of this celebration; to reflect on the labour of our heroes past, and how we can strengthen unity and patriotism to maintain their legacies. 

We are confident that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will lead us to the promised land. General Buhari should never assume that the job will be easy. To make the job easier, Nigerian youth must embrace the spirit of patriotism and sense of responsibility and work together as a people to build the nation. However, to build the nation, the youth must be built. A youth-less development is a useless development.

The political fight is over. Nigerians must come together irrespective of political affiliations, ethnic and faith persuasion to fight for the country we all love and be ready to sacrifice for its success.

I enjoin every Nigerian to put the country first before any other interest, and let us all be champions of peace. As we celebrate the country's independence, let us do so with love, brotherhood and tolerance to enjoy the beauty of this nation.

Finally, I want to use this opportunity to call on President Buhari to actively engage more young people in his administration. With the reported first batch of ministers sent to the senate for confirmation, we look to see a young person, but we have not seen any young person within the defined youth age bracket. Therefore, we look forward to the second batch, and the youth must constitute at least 30% of political appointments at all levels. 

Happy independence anniversary Nigeria! Long live Nigeria!

Youth task Buhari on inclusive governance: http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/youth-task-buhari-on-inclusive-in-governance/113742.html

Ahmed Adamu: Flying High On Global Stage

By Hajiya Bukola Ojobe

Ahmed Adamu is no doubt, one of the numerous young men who have distinguished themselves and are doing Nigeria proud in the diaspora. He was recently voted the pioneer president of the Commonwealth Youth Council, CYC, an umbrella body for 1.2billion youths around the world.

Adamu, a native of Katsina state bagged a BSc. in Economics from the Bayero University, Kano and an MSc. in Oil and Gas Economics in Dundee University, UK. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Economics at the University of Newcastle, UK.

Activism and politics have always been a part of Adamu’s life and it manifested prominently during his university days in Kano. He was the Financial Secretary of the Student Union Government in his university days. While holding this position, Adamu was able to positively engage the university senate and was very instrumental in the success achieved by the SUG.

After graduation, Adamu formed the League for Democratic Youths, LDY, which is a youth organization involved in educating youths on their civic rights and ensuring they become responsible and law abiding citizens. The organization also organises intellectual discussions between youths.

Adamu also founded the Katsina debate club after his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, service year, aimed at teaching citizens of the state the art of public presentation and also enhance their research skills.

In 2011, Adamu was a member of the Katsina State Executive Council Committee for Youth Restiveness and Unemployment in 2011 and was also the Secretary of the Constitutional Review Committee, Katsina Central constituency in 2012.

Adamu also moved on to become the Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament for two consecutive terms. He was also nominated as one of the few parliamentarians the Ministry of Youth Development thought it wise to further empower since they possessed unique potentials that needed to be explored.

The height of Adamu’s steady rise to the top was the rare opportunity to meet the Queen of England, Elizabeth II. He was appointed to represent Nigeria at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Forum and was selected during the forum to be one of the three youth delegates to meet the Queen of England and present her with the communiqué of the forum.

This was his first engagement with the Commonwealth and it inspired him to follow up the activities of the forum that brought together youths from 53 nations.

The forum was where the idea to form a Youth Council was conceived. This was done in a bid to effectively amplify the voices of the youth in respect to governance and issues that pertain to the commonwealth. During that period, he never envisage becoming the pioneer chairperson of the council as he felt he was merely contributing his own quota to youth development worldwide.

In his bid to become pioneer chairman of the Council, Adamu came up against three candidates from the United Kingdom, Botswana and Cameroun. His campaign message was simple, straight to the point and convincing.

It was made up of a seven point agenda which focused on Education, Entrepreneurship, Agriculture, ICT, Youth leadership , Development and the promotion of the CYC and the Commonwealth values.

The sheer brilliancy he exhibited during the debate with other contestants proved his leadership skills and this was more than enough to win him 55 per cent of the votes cast during the election.

Ahmed Adamu has joined the league of influential Nigerians around the world and would for two years continue to captain the ship of the CYC.

OBJ, Soyinka, CYC chair, others for honours in Abuja

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) Dr. Ahmed Adamu are among 90 inspiring personalities to be honoured in Abuja next week.

Music star Innocent Idibia popularly known as 2face Idibia is also on the list.
...

Their profiles are published in the Nigeria’s edition of the book series titled “Those Who Inspire”.
A statement by the publishers said “the book portrays 90 Nigerians from all walks of life across all of Nigeria” as well as “promotes the values of citizenship, community partnership and mentoring.”
It “highlights the advice, experience and wisdom of Nigerian nationals who have achieved their dreams, simultaneously adding value to the community and are mentors or in the process of becoming mentors,” it said.

It is the third volume in the Those Who Inspire Collection for launch on September 17.
“During the launch, young members of ‘Those Who Inspire: Nigeria’ such as Zuriel Oduwole will address the audience and receive a donation of 100 books from a Mentor. Zuriel will in turn donate those books to students during her visit to a few schools in Abuja the following day,” the statement said.
The publishers, Those Who Inspire Ltd said in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, 13, 000 books will be donated to Nigerian youth after the launch event.

2015 Internation Youth Day Speech by Dr. Ahmed Adamu

Make Civic Education A Number One Priority - Ahmed Adamu

As the world celebrate the 2015 International Youth Day, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth council, Ahmed Adamu, a Nigerian, has tasked youth leaders around the world to make civic education a number one priority.

In his address to youths across the world, Adamu said Civic Education can be formal or informal, and should be geared toward making young people productive citizens. Th theme for this year’s youth day theme is “Youth Civic Engagement”.

“Today is the 2015 international Youth Day, and like every year on 12th of August, the world celebrate and reflect on the role of young people in sustainable development, and also discuss about issues that concern them” he said.

This theme is very important for us, the young people, as the world population is becoming younger in every generation, the participation of more young people in nation building and citizenship awareness is imperative. In the wake of youth apathy in political and civic life, this day will open discussions and debate on how to ensure improved youth civic mindedness, voter turnout, confidence in government institutions and democracy as well as knowledge of history and civic rights.

There are still some young people out there who do not care about the values of democracy, human rights and justice, and we have to discuss why and how we can provide civic education to these young people. The young people would have to lead in addressing our own issues, and I tasked all the youth leaders around the world to make civic education a number one priority in their programmes.
Civic Education can be formal or informal, and should be geared toward making young people productive citizens, and educating them on how to live and contribute to the modern society. The young people in the Commonwealth have debated a possible link between extremist ideology and civic education, and agreed that youth participation in decision making at all levels and civic education contributes to better development outcomes and peacefulness of our societies.

He said one of the key priorities of the Commonwealth Youth Council is youth participation in democracy and governance.

To ensure proper civic engagement and participation of young people, the government must take measures and provide adequate resources toward civic education especially in rural communities. As the world is about to enact new global policy priorities, youth civic engagement and participation should be accorded an utmost priority.

“In our effort to ensure active youth civic engagement in the Commonwealth, the themes for the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Forum to be held in Malta are centred around civic engagement of the young people, and these bordered around Participation of young people in Economic, Social, political and environmental sustainability in their societies. We call on young people in the Commonwealth to actively contribute to discussion on these agendas and come up with decisive recommendations for the heads of governments’ consideration in the 2015 CHOGM.”

He also revealed that the Commonwealth Youth Council is also celebrating the young people who are doing excellent jobs in ensuring youth civic engagement through a book publication titled “Commonwealth Young Achievers Book”.

“We have so far received wonderful profiles of active young people and the book will be published soon. It will serve as the monument and celebration of the great job young people are doing in civic engagements around the Commonwealth, so as to encourage and inspire other young people” Adamu said.

https://www.naij.com/516314-international-youth-day-read-commonwealth-youth-council-said.html

Ahmed Adamu – First Nigerian C/Wealth Youth Chair

Dr. Ahmed Adamu – First Nigerian C/Wealth Youth Chair

By BUKOLA OGUNSINA

— Jul 27, 2015 2:13 pm |      
  

Ahmed Adamu is a Nigerian living in diaspora who has achieved so much as a youth. A graduate of Bayero University, Kano, he was elected as the financial secretary of the Student Union Government (SUG) of the university, and afterwards nominated as the national president of the National Association of Katsina State Students (NAKATSS).

In 2007, he started a non-profit organisation called League for Democratic Youths. The organisation empowers young people and gives them skills in leadership to educate them on their democratic rights. “We created that to raise awareness on the role of young people in a democratic system and how to checkmate the government, especially in terms of budget tracking and other matters. It was as a result of that movement that I was nominated to represent Katsina senatorial district at the Nigerian Youth Parliament as the Chief Whip,” he told LEADERSHIP Weekend.

As soon as he completed his work at the Youth Parliament, he was nominated to represent Nigeria at the Commonwealth Youth Forum which is made up of 53 countries. That was Ahmed’s first contact with activities of the Commonwealth. In 2011, he was invited to Australia to represent Nigeria at an annual meeting of the council’s member countries’ Heads of State.

It was at the 2011 meeting that Adamu was fortunate to be nominated to meet Her Majesty, the Queen of England, on behalf of the young people in the Commonwealth, in order to present her with the communique of their meeting. It was a meeting held to discuss, among other things, problems and issues affecting youths and proffer recommendations and solutions, which were then presented to the heads of government, to serve as input to their discussion and their resolutions, in line with what young people want.

“My meeting with the Queen was an encouragement for me to continue with the Commonwealth Youth Council even though I had so much going on for me prior to being introduced to the Commonwealth affairs,” he enthused.

When nominations were being conducted to elect a chairperson for the Commonwealth Youth Council in an open nomination style held in Sri Lanka, Ahmed was at the time working on his PhD in London. Still, he seized the opportunity to run for the position. The Commonwealth Youth Council has six member continents and geopolitical zones. With its ‘turn taking,’ structure, the chairperson’s role was open to Africa and Europe at the time. Adamu was eventually nominated to represent the African geopolitical zone. Contestants were 40 in number, and screened down to four.
Adamu performed excellently during the debate and after the polls, he emerged the first ever black African to be the chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council.

“Several countries were very happy that we now had a Commonwealth Youth Council and they wanted to see us; to celebrate us, especially African countries. It is a very good achievement for Africa and Nigeria,” he said.

Interestingly, the role of chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council may not come back to Africa until after eight years because of its rotational structure; and if it does come in the next 8 years to Africa, it might not be to a Nigeria, but another country in Africa, or Europe, hence the reason why the golden opportunity should be celebrated. The Commonwealth Youth Council currently has over 1.2 billion young people from 53 Commonwealth countries spanning over the 6 continents.

When asked what it feels like to be the chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council, Adamu stated, “I deal with the entire Commonwealth. It’s a Herculean task because my background is African. I may not know what the youth background is in Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific, but I will still have to respond to their wishes and to their comments and to the things that they want. It is a very diverse and a very complex task,” he told LEADERSHIP Weekend.

“If I succeed in this position the world will say a Nigerian has succeeded. Nobody would remember my name. They will say it was a Nigerian who became the first chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council and he did well; and if I fail, they will say it was a Nigerian; and that may negatively affect the country because if someone aspires to take an international position such as this in the future, people would say, ‘is it a Nigerian? No, do not give him the opportunity because there was once a Nigerian in this position and he failed.’ So I am an ambassador; I am an image maker for the country, and if there is any country that should support our cause, it should be Nigeria,” he said.
Adamu, in his capacity as chairperson of CYC, is expected to serve a two-year term until the next General Assembly of the council, which will take place at the end of this year. Adamu, a thoroughly inspiring youth, is also a university lecturer and intends to return to teaching soon.

The Commonwealth Youth Council under the leadership of Adamu has launched projects such as, ‘Youth Campaign Against Election Violence, Young Achiever’s Documentary, music competitions for songs that promise peace and so on.

http://leadership.ng/features/449811/ahmed-adamu-first-nigerian-cwealth-youth-chair

Tkbesh! Exclusive Interview With Ahmed Adamu: Chairperson Of Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC)

Major quotes from the interview

"The Nigerian politics is one of the most expensive in the world. As a university lecturer, how long would it take me to save up to N5 million to sponsor my campaign, you already know that even that amount is considered too small, as I was told people spend up to N50 million to become members of house of representatives. Now, delegates usually vote for the person that bid higher. They don’t look at competency most times. That is why we recommend slashing out of the monetary attractions to these leadership positions, so that people who are attracted by the monetary benefit attached to it will vanish, and only the serious minded politicians will stay.”

“I can see many Nigerians are desperate about politics and positions, and I found that disgusting. People do not have to be desperate for power. You don’t necessarily need it to be a leader. And if you deserve it, you do not have to be desperate to get it.”

“Success is not measured by the digits in your bank account, or by the number of houses or cars you possesses, these are delusions. Success is measured by the number of lives you are able to touch, in terms of inspiring and making them better. “

The full interview:

Youths play an important role in the Commonwealth. They have a voice in how their countries and the wide Commonwealth are run. A voice which is formed through young people working as an international network of their countries and helping to shape the development of the those countries today for the future and generations to come. This is one young and intelligent Nigerian, doing us proud! Ahmed Adamu, the current Chairperson of CYC and of course an inspirational leader to many.

He was a member of the Katsina State Executive Council Committee on Youth Restiveness and Unemployment; and also the secretary of the Constitutional Review Committee, Katsina Central Constituency in 2012. He is also the founder and pioneer president of Youth Participation for Progressive Development Initiative.

As the Commonwealth Youth Council Chairperson, he is expected to serve a two-year term until the next Council’s General Assembly, which will take place end of this year 2015. In this Interview, Tkbesh! takes the current chairperson of the commonwealth youth council down the memory lane and his plan for the future.

Tkbesh! When you were declared winner after beating other contestants from many countries, how did that make you feel. Were you expecting that result?

AHMED: My friends were so optimistic that I will win, I knew I put so much efforts more than all other contestants, and I knew I performed very well during the debate, and I met with all the delegates one on one, but still I was a bit unsure that the result could go otherwise, until when my name was announced as the winner with landslide. So, it did not come to me with so much surprise. Many delegates promised me their votes even before we went to Sri Lanka for the election. Even though I enjoyed more support from other continents, I still appreciate my African friends who stood by me to make sure that I emerged the winner. I started my campaign two months to the elections, but those were very long months as serious phone calls, skype calls, travelling, and emails were made. So much anxiety, that I could not concentrate on food. So, I think I wanted it most.

Tkbesh! We have no doubt you do! If memory serves right, the formation of the Council was endorsed by Commonwealth Heads of Government in Perth, Australia, in 2011. Tell us how you got involved in the first instance.

AHMED: My first engagement with the commonwealth youth activities was when I was nominated to represent Nigeria at 2011 Commonwealth Youth Forum in Australia, that is where I met inspiring colleagues, and I felt challenged that young people can really do more. In that meeting I was more of an observer as I did not play active role, because I am a new comer on the board, I was not noticeable. Usually, that is how I am everywhere I go. I tend to play it low key at first to study everything and everybody around.

However, in Australia’s meeting, I turned out to be a mini celebrity when I was chosen through lottery (by means of draw) as the youth delegates’ representative that will go and meet with Her Majesty the Queen to present to her the communique of the youth meeting in Australia that year. It was a big exciting moment for me! Being the first timer and now being chosen to represent my colleagues before the Queen. So, three of us went and met with the Queen. We shook hands, she stood with us asking us questions, and we responded. It was a big moment, and I remembered people rushing to us to find out who we are and why the Queen has spent so much time with us. That motivated me more and prompt me to get involved more in the youth commonwealth activities.
Surprisingly, it was in that meeting that the young people and the Commonwealth Heads of Government endorsed the establishment of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), and constitutional review committee was constituted. I was never involved in the process of establishing the CYC, I only saw the call for nominations into the elective positions, and I was not sure which position to contest in the beginning. My friends all wanted me to vie for the Chairperson positions, they told me that I could do it and I believed deep in me that “Yes I can”! So, I asked my organisation to nominate me and they did after some consideration. Initially more than forty nominations were made for the Chairperson position, but many were disqualified and largely because of the age limitation. Four of us eventually went to the poll, I contested alongside UK, Botswana, and Cameroon candidates.

Tkbesh! That must have been a very proud moment for you. What have been your challenges since you have been elected to chair the body, which is a voice of 1.2 billion young people of the Commonwealth?

AHMED: The challenge is obvious that we are the pioneer elected executives, with huge expectations and wide diversity. Like you mentioned, we are leading over 1.2 Billion young people from the 53 Commonwealth nations that span over six continents, so you can imagine the diversity of issues and expectations from every angle. We first had to quickly learn what is expected of us and our limitations. We had to make so little mistake, and we had to quickly learn from them.
We were able to set the foundation, which is always difficult. We institutionalised the CYC, created networks and partnerships, broaden its memberships, and executed projects. People will not judge us based on the height of the building we erected, but by how solid is the foundation we put. It is equally challenging for me being a PhD student and a family man. So, I found it difficult to maintain the right balance. I had to forfeit leisure times and weekends.While I don’t have weekends, I sometimes close from office at 12am and having to come right back at 9 am.

I travel quite a lot, which is so boring when it becomes frequent. The challenge of leading the largest and most diverse youth organisation in the world is important to mention, because we all come from different backgrounds, and it is always hard to reach consensus, which I think consensus is many times a delusion, because most of the time consensus is reached, you will find that one must have sacrificed his/her own opinion for the interest of moving forward. One of the challenge I faced is I like things to be done quickly without given a second command, and instead of me to give the second command, you will find me doing the job myself willingly. I know that’s not the best way, but the urge in me sometimes push me to do things myself, because I don’t like waiting for things to be done. I need to be a little more patient, right? I am a young person you know.

Tkbesh! Oh yes! Ahmed you need to slow down a bit and that brings us to our next question. You are to serve a two-year term until the next Council General Assembly. What are your next steps, and any plan to go into Nigerian politics in the future?

AHMED: I am a University lecturer, and I plan to go back to classroom soon. I am very concerned about social, economic and political situation in my country, and I believe, we are responsible for our issues. We are the ones we have been waiting for to solve our problems, no one else. So, we have to contribute toward making our society better, and help improve the lives of our brothers and sisters. Everywhere I look, I see problems, and I always come up with suggestions on how to make things better.

Some people advise me to go into politics since I have all these brilliant ideas. I agree with them that, it is easy to change things when you are holding a government positions, and now you will have to be in politics to get into some of these positions, which means politics is inevitable. However, I lost appetite for the Nigerian politics, simply because we tend to celebrate wealth than competence. The Nigerian politics is one of the most expensive in the world. As a university lecturer, how long would it take me to save up to N5 million to sponsor my campaign, you already know that even that amount is considered too small, as I was told people spend up to N50 million to become members of house of representatives. Now, delegates usually vote for the person that bid higher. They don’t look at competency most times. That is why we recommend slashing out of the monetary attractions to these leadership positions, so that people who are attracted by the monetary benefit attached to it will vanish, and only the serious minded politicians will stay.

We recommended disqualifying any candidate that tries to bribe delegates even by giving them transport money, we also recommend capping the total amount of money to be spent in politics to a reasonable level. We should also allow public workers to aspire for political positions without resigning their appointments, but they should resign after winning their party primaries. This will help attract the technocrats and professionals in to the politics. Above all, I don’t think you need to be a politician before you can make a change? There are so many ways we can make things better outside of the politics. I can see many Nigerians are desperate about politics and positions, and I found that disgusting. People do not have to be desperate for power. You don’t necessarily need it to be a leader. And if you deserve it, you do not have to be desperate to get it. We shall be creative and make ourselves relevant not just by trying to acquire positions because we want to be famous or richer.

Tkbesh! Without a doubt, that must be the biggest anyone could have sent out. We are equally happy that we are doing this interview with you Ahmed. Regardless of Age, you inspire us and we are very proud of you. Tell us, how would you measure success in your own words?

AHMED: Success is not measured by the digits in your bank account, or by the number of houses or cars you possesses, these are delusions. Success is measured by the number of lives you are able to touch, in terms of inspiring and making them better.

I can see many Nigerians are desperate about politics and positions, and I found that disgusting. People do not have to be desperate for power. You don’t necessarily need it to be a leader. And if you deserve it, you do not have to be desperate to get it.

Tkbesh! Any word of inspiration to young people out there?

AHMED: Like I always say, based on the background I come from, it is not likely of me to rise to this level, and if I can make it, then many can even do better, so it is about believing in yourself and trusting the God that makes everything possible. Irrespective of your background and stories, you can be what you want to be. What I understand of our young people is, they are either afraid or shy. Fear and shyness are the greatest destroyers of potentials. Once you defeat fear and rebuild your confidence, then you will expand your potentials, and you can achieve more than you can imagine. However, we have to be honest all the time, and never get disappointed when we fail. We must not worry about what others think or say about us. Above all, we have to learn to be simple and humble.
Success is not measured by the digits in your bank account, or by the number of houses or cars you possesses, these are delusions. Success is measured by the number of lives you are able to touch, in terms of inspiring and making them better.

https://tkbeshmagazine.wordpress.com/2015/07/03/tkbesh-exclusive-interview-with-ahmed-adamu-chairperson-of-commonwealth-youth-council/

Ahmed Adamu met with David Becham

Dr. Ahmed Adamu, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council met with the popular football star, David Becham at the Queen's Palace (Buckingham Palace) in London, during the presentation of awards to the Queen's Young Leaders.

Is Lamido Sanusi wasting away in Kano?

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Sitting on the throne of the Kano Emirate stool is the no-nonsense and fearless, I dare say saviour of the Nigerian financial sector. The global and African central bank governor of the year (2010), a whistle blower and fighter, one of the 100 most influential people in the world (2011), an Islamic scholar and a ranking Fulani noble man.

His name is Sarki Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. He saved 24 commercial banks in Nigeria that were on the brink of collapse. You won’t be wrong if you say he is perceived as the most courageous public servant who took mustered the courage to expose what many reckoned as excessive corruption and financial mismanagement against the government of his time. His bravery and boldness came with a stiff price that caused his suspension from office, not knowing that truth will pay him even more few months after.

As the Nigerian central bank governor, his policies were against the extreme capitalists who accumulated illegal wealth at the expense of the poor. He was the people’s bank governor, and ensured softer banking policies for the masses and guaranteed their deposits. He sacked powerful bank managing directors and charged them for their corrupt practices, a move that many termed “Sanusi Thunami”. The introducer of the cashless economy and an orator and mentor to the young people.

He was the first from northern Nigeria to become the MD of the First Bank Plc, one of the biggest financial institutions in Africa. A renown economist with 30 years of banking experience, he is also a development economist and practitioner. In his anti-corruption campaign, he opposed the Nigerian petroleum subsidy regime that subsidises corruption. He is the emir of the second ranking royal kingdom in northern Nigeria. He once asked his followers to revenge on attacks by Boko Haram militant group, a call that led to an attack on his mosque killing more than 150 of his people.

Having briefly described who Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is, who I would rather call SLS, one would believe that such a person is a national resource that any country will long to have. I do not see a better time when Nigeria needed the services of SLS again than now. A time when the historical democratic revolution became possible in Nigeria, a time when the long awaited change arrived, a time when the masses look up with high hope and optimism into the future, and a time when the country is yearning for seasoned technocrats to actualise the real change.

Unequivocally, this is not the time for trial and error in some sensitive government positions, it is not time for political compensations.

It is time to build a new Nigeria; the tested and trusted ones must be brought forward even against their wishes to deliver national assignments. However, they must be mixed with younger ones to train and inspire them.

Nigeria does not want to fail again. The democratic prosperity of the country lies on the success of this administration, so it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to pitch in and contribute toward upholding the democratic virtues in Nigeria. The failure of this administration will be tantamount to dampening the spirit of democratic transparency and honesty. The struggle that Nigerians undertook to ensure democracy prevails must be compensated with excellent performance by the government, and this cannot happen without people like SLS.

This is the time we need to flush out corruption entirely from Nigeria, the time to put back our economy back on track. The time to restore the value of the Naira, the time to diversify the economy, and the time to create more jobs. And SLS has all it takes to help this administration achieve these objectives. I will call it a suicide mission if Nigeria fails this time around, while people like SLS are just watching on the throne.

It sounds delusional for some promising royal families to be obsessed to the traditional institutions. There is much more SLS can offer to humanity than just being a king. It is sad that such a resource person is consumed by obsession for traditional institution. Despite SLS’s vast experience, he is now confined to a particular place, ruling only the people of Kano without much economic and political power to make decisive changes. SLS is now under the state control managed by politicians, whose rules sometimes supersedes that of the king.

In modern democratic structure, traditional rulers have little or no role; most of their duties are now placed on relevant government ministries and departments. The question therefore is what is the compelling roles of kings in our societies today that will prevent them from offering their services to the country? Some will say they settle disputes and serve as a monument of the historical lineage of the then powerful kings, who fought wars and institute governance pre-colonial era. The king is more or less ceremonial, because in every district, he has representative who is closer to the people and settles their disputes. So, a king can even rule from anywhere, as long as he receives reports from the districts and royal heads. With Sharia courts, people may not have to resort to the emirates to settle grievances any more. I do not intend to condemn the entire traditional institution, because at least I am a fan of durbar back in Katsina, and I love to see the traditional heads in their royal horses with beautiful decorations.

Therefore, you can see now SLS is beyond just being a Kano king, in fact, he was the preferred presidential candidate of many, and until he was appointed emir, he was among the front presidential hopefuls. His speech at the Abuja TeDex convinced many young people that he has what it takes to rule not just Kano but Nigeria. Nigerians should rise and demand for the service of SLS once again. He should pull off that turban and take eight years sabbatical leave from the emirate and come to Abuja as minister of finance, and then he can go back and rule Kano till his death. While he is on the sabbatical leave, he can keep visiting the emirate just like the way Buhari visits his farm regularly. SLS may wish to continue wearing his royal attires, and will always go to Kano for the official durbar ceremony twice a year.

Therefore, I call on PMB to appoint SLS as a minister in his cabinet, and force him to accept the offer in the event he hesitates.

Dr. Ahmed Adamu,Petroleum Economist and Development Expert,Pioneer Global Chairperson of Commonwealth Youth Council,University Lecturer (Economics), Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Katsina.

Youth to Buhari: Support your govt with young people

Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) Ahmed Adamu has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint young people into his government to give it the necessary energy to perform.

In a statement issued in London where the council that speaks on behalf of some 1.2 billion youth in the commonwealth countries, Adamu said “Mr President does not have to worry about his limitations as long as he knows how to make best use of the young people in his administration”.

The statement is coming on the heels of comments credited to president Buhari that at his current age of 72, there was limitation to how much he could do. He reportedly said so in South Africa on Monday during a meeting with Nigeria residents in the country.

“The young people are the ones to live and immortalise his (Buhari) legacies, and without them being drawn closer, his legacy will go down with him. The legacies of Ahmadu Bello, Sarduana Sokoto live in our time because of his legacy of empowering the then young people, who as a result became leaders of this nation. What legacy is Buhari preparing to live behind? The answer lies in the youth. We want to see many younger Buharis in our generation,” Adamu said.

He said “we as young people, we will continue to support his administration in any way possible, because we are equally responsible for the success of this administration.”

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/daily/index.php/news-menu/news/57540-youth-to-buhari-support-your-govt-with-young-people#kqGcluE6iV8OQtzY.99

Buhari's old age

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

The recent proclamation by the Nigerian president about his age constraint has justified more on the inevitability of youth participation in governance. At an old age, Mr President cannot do so many things he is expected to do, but he can make use of the excessive vigour in the young people to move his administration faster.

President Buhari was reported to have confessed that sometimes his age can get in the way of getting the job done, and that he wished he became president at a younger age. He was perceived to have missed his active energy when he was a young governor. He said, at the age of 72, there is limit to what he can do.

Mr President does not have to worry about his limitations as long as he knows how to make best use of the young people in his administration. The current young generation have more energy than he had as a young governor, and therefore he can balance it up by bringing young people very close to his administration.

There have been huge expectation on Mr President, and if he has to rely on the low pace energy of the old, he could not catch up half way to the expectations. We understand that governance needs careful thoughts and plan, but young people can think and plan carefully as well. Young people are active partners of today’s progress. Mr President should reckon young people as partners not only as children.

The young people are the ones to live and immortalise his legacies, and without them being drawn closer, his legacy will go down with him. The legacies of Ahmadu Sardauna live in our time because of his legacy of empowering the then young people, who as a result became leaders of this nation. What legacy is Buhari preparing to live behind? The answer lies in the youth. We want to see many younger Buharis in our generation.

We as young people, we will continue to support his administration in any way possible, because we are equally responsible for the success of this administration.

Ahmed Adamu

Chairperson/President, Commonwealth Youth Council

+447867289539.

SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT/CHAIRPERSON, COMMONWEALTH YOUTH COUNCIL, AHMED ADAMU, DURING THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR EDUCATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH, HELD AT BRITISH COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS, 10 SPRING GARDENS, LONDON, ON TUESDAY, 2ND JUNE 2015

Title: Educational engagement and out of school youth in the Commonwealth: Unpacking educational inequalities

More than 60% of the Commonwealth population are made up of young people, who represent the hope and strength of the Commonwealth sustainability. The best way to prepare these young people is by giving them the deserved quality education. That is why the young people in the Commonwealth consider quality education as number priority as contained in the 2013 Hambantota Youth Declaration. By extension, education is the number one mandate of the Commonwealth Youth Council, being the official voice for the young people. The question we ask ourselves is how qualitative and accessible is the education.

According to UNESCO report, adolescents are more likely to be out of school than children, and there are more than 121 million children and adolescents across the world who never started school or dropped out, and this has caused concern about the future prosperity of the Commonwealth. It also costs a lot on these nations, for example in Nigeria, it was reported that the country loose equivalent to 15% of its GDP due to out of school population, whom would have added value to the economy if educated.

Because education is monetized, the issue of affordability becomes a concern, and that’s what underpins the large inequality between nations and individuals in terms of access to quality education. Even though, researches have shown that there is no absolute positive correlation between income status of a country and the level of its literacy as some poor countries that spend less per capita achieve high level of literacy. However, income status has remained huge cause of inequality among individuals.

Children of the rich have higher propensity of having access to quality education than the children of the poor. There is also inequality in terms of ethnic and cultural persuasions, though there was a tremendous change in perception about formal education in some strong cultural societies, there are still remnants of such indifferent attitude toward formal education in those society. Inequality between genders is the prominent one, as women are perceived as domestic properties rather than active participant in societal development.

The illusion that women's formal education is not important, as even if they went to the school, it is useless as they will eventually get married. That was the fundamental and wrong belief that causes gender inequality in educational system. Women require special provisions at educational environments, which often not provided. Female students feel more comfortable seeing a mixture of male and female teachers, or rather pure female teachers. However, there are fewer female teachers in some countries. These and so many other reasons cause the huge gaps between genders.
The women education is paramount, as we are taught that educating one woman is like educating the whole society. This is because women nurture all classes of people we have in society, and the best discipline and knowledge we receive comes from mothers, and that’s why girl’s education is very important.

Inequality as a result of disability; young people with special requirements are literally forced out of school because there are no provision to cater for their unique circumstances, and subsequently, they become hopeless and feel not part of the society. Researchers have found that people with disabilities if adequately provided with educational facilities can outperform regular students. There are also inequalities between rural and urban locations, as both teachers and students prefer to live in urban areas. However, in recent times as a result of over flooding the urban areas, educational supplies in these urban cities cannot meet up the demands. Therefore, unequal economic and social opportunities between rural and urban areas has caused the locational educational inequalities.

Because of the income disparities, there are children who are perceived to be in school but are actually out of schools. There are children who are forced to engage in labour activities to help the family earn a living, these could be through hard labour or street hawking. Parents are usually worried about what a child can eat at school or back at home. Some children are out of school because they do not have mobility to travel to the far distant and only available school. So, that is why societies loose great scientists, engineers, economist etc, and you cannot quantify the economic loss of losing these latent talents. Similarly, lack of quality education cause continuous violence and restiveness in society, which is another social cost of unequal access to education.

Education and poverty are therefore a vicious cycle; if you are not educated you are three times more likely to be poor, and when you are poor you are equally unlikely to be educated. Therefore, we have to ask ourselves to what extend should we monetise our educational system. Education is like the air we breathe, you need air to live, and you don’t pay for it. Equally education should be accessible for all and relatively affordable.

According to the Commonwealth Youth Development Index, educational outcomes are not wholly dependent on income of a nation (at country level). Poor nations can achieve high levels of education, and this is further evidenced by the fact that government spending and education do not correlate highly. For instance, Tonga (a Commonwealth country) achieves almost complete youth literacy whilst spending less than the United Kingdom. Therefore, size, income, location, and history of a country does not influence the quality and accessibility of its education systems.

What matters are the all-inclusive and robust educational policy, compliance and strong monitoring and evaluation systems. There should be a general and disaggregated educational indices that can be used to understand the context of the educational issues for policy priority and evaluation. If for example we have an index that say there are 1 million out of school young people in xx year, then these statistic should be monitored in years to come so that we can gauge to what extend our educational policy are impacting by now looking at the number of the out of school children. Poverty alleviation programmes can help improve access to education.

Education is not only about passage of knowledge, it is about communication, and it does not make sense to me to teach a child with a strange language. That is why primary and secondary schools should be taught in mother’s tongue or regular language in the community. Second languages like English, Arabic or French should be taught as a separate language study within the educational system. So that, children can learn to speak a common language for international and national interactions and for communication purpose. Targets and professionals goals should be set for every student, and should be coached toward achieving that particular goal. Student loans should be provided for those that want to further their education. Appreciation incentives should be provided to parents who send their kids to school regularly.

Teachers at primary and secondary schools should receive equal salary as those of polytechnic lecturers, so that best brains can be attracted to teach at the foundation levels. Countries that spend so much is sponsoring students abroad should save the money and build their local universities so that more people can access quality education within the country, rather than allowing it for the few lucky ones. Special training and courses can be sponsored abroad, but, it is an economic cost to keep sponsoring students abroad to study regular courses that can be offered locally. With the savings from reducing the foreign scholarships, government can train and hire more qualified teachers and provide the required facilities locally. Corruption in managing educational budget must be squarely addressed.

Finally, the importance of education cannot be over emphasized, as education correlate with life expectancy, wellbeing, gender equality and development. Therefore, I recommend demonetization of education. Instead of spending money on weapons for wars, and power competition, let’s put that money to the educational sector. We as citizen of the world, we must not live in isolation, we must be sensitive to other nations’ backwardness and help them prosper. Let us compete in knowledge and education, rather than competing in nuclear and wealth.

Thank you
Ahmed Adamu
President/Chairperson, Commonwealth Youth Council.