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 HOUSE 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.

BUHARI SHOULD PROFESSIONALISE SMALL SKILLED LABOUR

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

More than 40% of the unemployed and underemployed in Nigeria engage in small-skilled labour or what some termed as unskilled or hard labour, and these people are potentially vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, discriminations, and seldom used to perpetuate crimes. Heroes are also those young people who reject the myth of their generation apathy, and endured all the hardships to earn their living legally. Refusing to take shortcuts, and remain contented with their little income. When I look at these brave young people, I do not only see bricklayers, labourers, plumbers, electricians, commercial motorcyclists, security guards, pushers of wheelbarrow, local toilet plushers etc. what I see are nation builders, service providers, highly-skilled labourers and movers of the economy. Some might consider them as unskilled or semi-skilled labourers, but the nation will realise how inelastic their services are, when these groups of small-skilled labourers organise themselves and go for a month strike; then we will realise that we cannot build the houses we live in, we can’t fix electric issues in our houses, we can’t push our loads in the parks or market places, and we can’t do the hard labour in other construction works. Then the whole country will stand still. That is the least you can imagine how important these small-skilled labourers are.

Imagine a young man spending thirty years doing hard labour, many times underpaid and exploited, and yet endured. This same young man will build tenths of houses, offices and roads, and when he gets old and no longer having the strength to do these jobs, he gets nothing to feed himself and his family, and he will eventually resort to begging to sustain his life. His greatest asset, his strength, is exhausted. Why can’t he receives pension allowances in appreciation for his service to the nation? I think some of these young men deserve better pension scheme and wage package than some of the negligent government workers and politicians.

In some developed countries, small-skilled labourers earn high, as their services are appreciated and recognised. For example, in UK, the wage for every handyman is regulated and standardised according to locations; A bricklayer gets around N100 per brick laid, and Handyman doing odd jobs gets N5,600 per hour, gas heating boiler services for N16,800 etc. These are regulated for London location, and therefore clients cannot cheat or exploit their service providers, and vice versa. This also helps in predicting cost of production. This are usually reviewed timely to accommodate market changes. By regulating and standardising small-skilled jobs, unemployed young graduates will then start estimating how much they would be losing for every one hour lost doing nothing. They would then realise that, they only need a particular skill to earn certain amount of money in one hour or per load of work/service. This will attract young people to learn skills despite the chunks of their educational certificates.

Therefore, regulating and standardising the wages for small skilled labourers as well as creation of their unique health and pension scheme will motivate young people to engage in skills acquisitions. These hard labour or small-skilled jobs should be professionalised, someone who spent three years working as a plumber or electrician should be considered as having a professional work experience for three years. He can add that to his CV. They should be encouraged to set up an organisation, which will register all members engaged in these types of jobs. Their organisation will be protecting and advocating for their interests, and will provide frequent trainings and ensure improvement of quality of their work/services. Their organisation will receive certain incentives to subsidise their work and to help reduce charge rate. These incentives will be shared among its members. The government will set requirements for every small-skilled workers association, which might include, significance, charge rate, quality of work, decency of the workers, compliance to standard and regulations etc.

If young people engaged in these small-skilled jobs are recognised as professionals and receive attractive wages, the percentage of youth unemployed will be reduced by at least 20%. Therefore, in an effort to reduce unemployment and poverty, small-skilled labour should be professionalised. Educational institutional curriculum should also provide wide range of vocational and technical skills, so that young graduates may not have to learn these skills after their education, they can automatically start providing services immediately after their studies, and they do not have to wait for government jobs.

Thank you

Ahmed Adamu
Economist

Dr. Ahmed Adamu met with the Queen of England on many occassions: Photos

From the pictures above, Dr. Ahmed Adamu met with Her Majesty the Queen of England, first during the Queen's Young Leaders award at the Queen's Palace, and during the Commonwealth Day receptions for the 2014 and 2015.

Nigerian petroleum sector; Way out-

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

Nigeria is the 12th largest crude oil producer in the world, contributing about 3% of the global crude oil production, and making it the largest crude oil producer in Africa. It is also the ninth country in terms of gas reserves in the world, making it having the largest gas reserves in Africa, contributing about 8% of the global liquefied natural gas supply. However, it is ranked 185th country in terms of electricity per capita, with one Nigerian having an average access to electricity of 149kWh (averagely 3 hours of electricity per day depending on the appliances and manner of usage). Despite its crude oil reserves profile and its installed refining capacity of 445, 000 barrels per day, yet 70% of its domestic petroleum products demands are met through petroleum importation. This cost the country around $62 billion in 2014, the amount that is sufficient to meet the initial investment requirement to build four refinery plants, each with operating capacity as the combined capacities of the existing dilapidating refineries in the country. This amount is also higher than what the country received (averagely around $56 billion) from crude oil exports in the same year.

As at 2014, Nigeria imported 886 million barrels of petroleum products, making it the 13th largest petroleum importer in the world. For each barrel of petrol imported, Nigeria government paid at least $8 per barrel, which tallied the total fuel subsidy payment to about $7 billion in 2014. These elephant figures sound outrageous to so many developing countries that would wish they had that much, they could have used it much better. The wealth competition between nations is partly motivated to improve wellbeing and development of citizens, but in Nigeria, its oil and gas resources has caused more harms than benefits. As I write this, hundreds are on fuel queues ready to pay at any price level at least if they can see fuel. Millions lack access to potable water, and talk less of electricity I have earlier explained. The corruption and mismanagement of petroleum funds are responsible for these plights, and it appears obvious that Nigeria cannot afford to continue with the petroleum subsidy.

It is only when the crude oil price is at any price below $40 that the Nigerian government will not pay for subsidy, and because Nigeria is exposed to petroleum price volatilities and market uncertainties, petroleum subsidy can never be sustainable. With the increasing demand for petroleum products signalling more subsidy payments, such cannot be feasible as the expectation on the government is at the highest level ever. The pending austerity measure will have to scrap all subsidy payments. However, with immediate effect, savings from absolute subsidy removal has to be invested in reviving and building sufficient refining capacity required to meet the average 33 million barrels petrol demand in the country, so that petrol market price per litre can still be within the usual affordable price range within the country without being subsidised. If subsidy is removed without corresponding sufficient refining capacities, then Nigerians should be ready to pay on average N200 per litre, and even more depending on the market fluctuations.

With Shale oil and gas discoveries, Nigerian oil and gas may no longer be as favourable as before, which means decline in revenue resulting from decline in crude oil price. This will also means that the government will not have sufficient income to meet up with the skyrocketing subsidy payments. Thank God, this year there is no provision for fuel subsidy. The only feasible option is to refine enough of what we require and utilise other petroleum reserves domestically to meet residential, commercial, industrial and transport sector demands. Thereby propelling the economy, boost export baskets and maintain a reasonable level of export earnings.

Though, Nigerian existing oil reserves will finish in 2068 (at the current level of production and reserves), we have to start thinking about alternatives and new discoveries. Natural gas reserves are 90 times more than oil reserves in the country, but the required infrastructure to make the natural gas useful are not there; hence, it is flared to the air, making the country second worst country in terms of gas flaring in the world. If more gas infrastructures are put in place and the gas-power turbines (including the new ones) are supplied with sufficient gas feeds, then electricity access will increase, jobs will be created, cost of production will reduce, wellbeing will increase, and the economy thrives. Energy diversification, operational refineries, and adequate supply of gas to power turbines will help revive industries and cure the country from Dutch disease. This will entice investors to come and invest in the country, as the cost of productions is cheaper and Naira currency is cheaper (courtesy of recent devaluation of the currency). However, with the continues flowing of foreign investment in the country, demand for Naira will increase, and Nigerian foreign reserves will increase, and the value of Naira will eventually appreciate and normalise.

As we prepare for a new Nigeria in couple of days, we have to be extra cautious and decisive about important decisions especially those relate to the petroleum and energy sector. Nigerians must be ready to adapt to some difficult times for some little time, and wait to benefit from the resulting effects of these difficult decisions. All refineries must start operating at least above 70% operating capacities (currently operating at 16%), new ones must be built, subsidy must be totally removed, industrial sector must be bailed out, and economy diversified.

Ahmed Adamu
Petroleum Economist

President Buhari should tax the rich more and raise minimum wage

There have been misconception that giving tax incentives to the rich help incentivise job creation, because the capitalists are perceived to be job creators. The truth is, they do not. Ordinary consumer is more of a job creator than a capitalist. Business people taking credit for creating jobs is highly unfair. Business people hire people as their last resort, as they only hire to keep pace with the consumer demand. The Nigerian Personal Income Tax act is unfair for allowing fixed tax rate for resident companies, while varying that of personal income tax rates. The rigidity of the resident company tax rate allows for unnecessary overgrowing of few companies and making many more to close down. Small, medium and big companies pay 30% of their profits as tax irrespective of their return and size.

Consequently, rich are getting richer and more citizens that are of middle class were relegated. Statistics have shown that, we have more unemployment as number of millionaires increases over time. If number of millionaires can create jobs, we will not have the level of unemployment we are having now in the country, which is of a record high (23.9%), this without including the estimated 30% more that are under-employed. The individual consumer needs to be incentivised. If the minimum wage is to keep pace with the inflation rate, the minimum wage would have been anything above N25, 000 by now just within five years since it was reviewed to N18, 000. Jobs are consequence of eco-systemic feedback loop between customers and businesses. If the middle class thrive and do well, both the capitalist and the poor benefit.

Therefore, let the rich be taxed more, so that we can create more middle class people, who consumes more and then create jobs by virtue of their consumptions. Company tax system should be proportionate to the income level. Business with profit less than N80 million should be taxed at 25%, business profits above N80 million but not up to N500 million should be taxed at 30%, and any profit margin above N500 million should be taxed at 35%. This should not include companies operating in the petroleum sector. There should not be credit breaks for big companies, unless for special circumstances. However, tax breaks can be allowed for small and medium companies. Minimum wage should be upgraded to N25,000.

With the pending austerity measures, government expenditure (recurrent) must be reduced by at least 10% every year for four years, the tax rates should be increased and compliance enforced. Compliance will not be a big deal because people now have trust and confidence on the government. However, there should be immediate reflection of benefits derived from tax payments. This should be showcased in areas like improving access to electricity, increasing the minimum wage, improving access to quality and affordable health care and educational system. All leakages of government revenue resulting from corruption should be blocked and channelled that to power sector at least in the short term.

Youth For 30%

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

If 60% of the Nigerian population can ask for only 30% level of inclusion, then they must be given, because that is too small to ask given their sacrifices toward sustaining the constitutional democracy and economic development. Youth in Nigeria made up of at least 60% of the labour force and constitute majority of the eligible voters, with whose votes, leaders emerge.

Looking back at the role young people played in the country’s leadership since independence, many believe that the current youth generation are short-changed, as the old generation keep recycling themselves in the same leadership positions they occupied when they were young.

Tafawa Balewa became Prime Minister at the age of 48, Aguiyi Ironsi 42, Yakubu Gowon 32, Murtala Muhammad 37, Olusegun Obasanjo 38, , Shehu Musa Yar’adua 32, Shehu Shagari 54, Muhammadu Buhari 41 , IBB 44, Sani Abatch 50 etc. The cabinet minsters in their regimes were largely made up of youth below the age of 35. We had a minister of petroleum at the age of 26. There were young people who were then very active in moving this country who are numerous to mention here.

Looking beyond the shores of the country, we had the following young leaders with their ages when the become leaders:

Jean-Claude Duvalier, President of Haiti, 19 years of age.
Valentine Strasser, President of Sierra Leone, 25 Years of age
Dogsomyn Bodoo, Prime Minister of Mongolia, 26 Years of age
Michel Micombero, President of Burundi, 26 Years of age
Maria Lea Pedini-Angelini, Captain Regent of San Marino, 26 Years of age
Amet Zogu, Prime Minister of Albania, 27 Years of age
Muammar Gaddafi, Guide of the Revolution, 27 Years of age
Gloriana Ranocchini, Captain Regent of San Marino, 27 Years of age
Giovanni Lonfernini, Captain Regent of San Marino, 27 Years of age
Abdessalam Jalloud, Prime Minister of Libya, 27 Years of age
Andrea Zafferani, Captain Regent of San Marino, 27 Years of age
Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, 28 Years of age
Mario Frick, Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, 28 Years of age
Kim Jong-Un, Supreme Leader of North Korea, 28 Years of age
Giuliano Gozi, Captain Regent of San Marino, 28 years of age
Ieremia Tabai, President of Kiribati, 28 Years of age
Samuel Doe, President of Liberia, 28 Years of age
Jamtsangiyn Damdinsüren, Chairman of the Presidium of Mongolia, 2 Years of age
Lhendup Dorji, Prime Minister of Bhutan, 29 Years of age
Muhammad Ali Haitham,Prime Minister of South Yemen, 29 Years of age
Milo Đukanović, Prime Minister of Montenegro, 29 Years of age
Yahya Jammeh, President of the Gambia, 29 Years of age
Souley Abdoulaye, Prime Minister of Niger, 29 Years of age
Roque González Garza, President of Mexico, 29 years of age
Gnassingbé Eyadéma, President of Togo, 29 years of age 
Branko Crvenkovski, Prime Minister of Macedonia, 29 years of age 
Joseph Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 29 years of age 
David Dacko, President of the Central African Republic, 30 years of age 
Jean-Baptiste Bagaza, President of Burundi, 30 years of age
Bernard Dowiyogo, President of Nauru, 30 years of age
Ilir Meta, Prime Minister of Albania, 30 years of age 
Sadiq al-Mahdi, Prime Minister of Sudan, 30 years of age 
Marien Ngouabi, President of the Republic of the Congo, 30 years of age 
Pandeli Majko, Prime Minister of Albania, 30 years of age

If these young people can lead their countries, it means young people are still capable and should be given space to contribute in nation building. 
The Nigerian constitution has limited youth participation in governance, where it says a person must be 30 years of age before he/she can become a cabinet minister or member of federal House of Representatives, which means 71% of young people in the country cannot become a cabinet minister even if they are qualified by virtue of experience and qualification. The same constitution says, no young person (as defined in Nigerian youth policy) can become senator or a governor or president. Therefore, the constitution should be reviewed to accommodate more space for young people.

Finally, Nigerian youth should rise and demand for inclusion in governance at all levels, as there is nothing for them without them. They should take charge, not only in voting but in governance. Their voices can only be heard if their representatives sit on the table to decide on issues that affect you. The 30% affirmative action for youth participation is non-negotiable. This movement/campaign should be visible and strengthen at every state. Let us get united and pursue 30% level of participation. This movement is not about one person, or personal interest, it is about protecting and empowering the youth.

Ahmed Adamu

Review Nigeria’s youth policy: Commonwealth youth council tells Buhari

The chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council, Ahmed Adamu, has urged Nigeria’s president elect, Muhammadu Buhari to review the country’s youth policy as well as initiate youth development targeted at improving the lives of the Nigerian youth

Adamu who stated this while addressing a group of Nigerian youths upon his arrival at Abuja on Thursday said youth development targets and indicators must be set out by the incoming administration and updated regularly, while stressing the need for proper youth participation in youth affairs.

“The ministry of youth must be placed in a position to mainstream all youth development programmes and projects. Government ministries, departments and agencies working in developing youth agenda must do so in partnership and collaboration with the ministry of youth. There should be a consolidated youth development funds that will help in developing youth capacities and entrepreneurial skills. The Nigerian youth policy must be reviewed and implemented to the later. There should be a youth development centre” he said.

He added that the Nigerian youth must take our rightful positions in governance.

“We call on the Nigerian President-Elect to ensure 30% affirmative action for youth participation in governance at all levels. This is a non-negotiable option. We specifically call for appointment of a young person below the age of 35 as youth minister. This is in line with the definition of youth as enshrined in the Nigerian youth policy.

“The second criteria is that whoever is going to be nominated as youth minister must be a youth leader, who has contact with the youth and is familiar with their challenges. The youth minister’s position must be purely based on qualification and relevant experience, and politics should not influence the choice.

“We are now watching the President-elect, and for every action he makes, we will make sure that the interest of young people are protected and represented” he said.

Adamu however promise to give unyielding support toward the success of Mr. Buhari’s administration.

“We, the youth voted for this new administration and we will make sure it succeeds. Youth issues must be squarely addressed. These range from youth unemployment to low quality education”.

Adamu said he is in Nigeria to felicitate with “my brothers and sisters over the peaceful and credible elections, and to congratulate the president-elect for the victory. The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) led the Nigerian youth in a non-violence election campaign, and as a result, the Nigerian youth were determined to shun any sort of violence. Therefore, this is a victory to the youth. The young people endured all the hardships to ensure that their voices were heard in this election. This is a great triumph for the young people”.

He also informed that CYC is undertaking some youth development projects across the 53 Commonwealth nations, and within the remaining period of his tenure, he will bring so many other youth development projects to benefit the young people around the world.

Buhari should abolish government foreign scholarships.

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

More than N100 billion is spend on foreign scholarships annually by Nigerian government. This has caused over supply of Nigerian currency, triggering the continues decline of the value of the Nigerian Naira. This figure is extremely higher when adding the cost of other self-sponsored foreign education.  Nigerians studying in UK contribute 2.3% to the GDP growth in UK and their patronages contribute 2.6% to the overall UK employment. All these are injection to foreign economies, which could potentially be invested in Nigeria.

How different are foreign Universities are from Nigerian Universities, you will talk about access to energy, IT, resources, facilities, conducive atmosphere, and efficiency. All these can be provided in all Nigerian Universities with the savings that will eventuate from abolishing foreign scholarships. If you divide N100 billion by the number of federal universities, you will see that each university will get N2.5 billion a year. Nigerian universities can perform to the international standard if for five years N2.5 billion is injected in them annually. Then those that were already trained abroad can teach in these universities, and then you can bring foreign teachers and pay them incentives to encourage them. It is cheaper to transport education, than to transport students.

I am using this medium to call on the Nigerian president elect to consider this as one of the immediate policy he will adopt in the first 100 days in office. He needs to cut down government expenditure by 50% in one year, increase bank rate and taxes. Now people trust the government, and are willing to contribute to the governance. The extravagance and wastages during the political campaign has caused unnecessary inflation in Nigeria, which used to be 7.9% in November, and now 8.6%  this month. The money in circulation must be controlled. It is commendable that the president-elect has proposed to reduce government overheads by proposing to scrap unnecessary political appointments.

All the money saved from the austerity measures should be invested in manufacturing and industrial sectors as well as education, science and technology. Small skills labourers should have a coordinated wage system, so that cost of production can be predicted, and small skill labourers who contribute immensely to the economic growth will not be underpaid.

Ahmed Adamu (PhD Economics)

President, Commonwealth Youth Council

+447867289539.

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s victory and youth in governance

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

In the 2015 presidential elections, the history of Nigeria has now taken a new and positive shape. Nigerians have shown to the world that the country’s beacon still burns as bright. They proved that despite the despair and great challenges, a government of the people by the people and for the people remained possible.

A very big congratulation to General Muhammadu Buhari for this victory as the president -elect. His endurance in pursuit of his dream to serve his country is commendable and a lesson for the future generation. If his emergence thought Nigerian youth anything, it is that content of character; endurance and determination are forces that make every dream possible.

A special congratulation to the Nigerian president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for keeping to his promise of ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections, despite the opportunity he had to do otherwise.

He chose to allow the will of the people decide. For the first time in years, Nigerians and the international community are in agreement with the election outcome. Mr President’s respect for democratic values is something that will go down in history. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, there will be a political transition from one political party to another at the centre. This is a sign of maturity of democracy in the country.

The 2015 election has restored hope and confidence in Democracy not only in Nigeria, but across Africa. Many African countries will learn great lessons and draw more democratic confidence from the Nigerian election. The country has set a precedent that many countries will follow.

One of the core values of the Commonwealth are democracy, freedom of expression, international peace and tolerance, respect and understanding, and all these were showcased during the political process in Nigeria. Therefore, we want to congratulate Nigeria for achieving this commendable milestone.

As young people, the measure of our success in the Nigerian election is by the peacefulness and decorum of the process. We have invested so much to ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria. The Commonwealth Youth Council led Nigerian youth in a campaign for non-violence election, and we can celebrate, because our objective has been achieved. I want to congratulate all the Peace Marshals and Ambassadors who volunteered and worked selflessly to make this a reality.

Nigerian Youth have made sacrifices and stood on queues, under the scorching sun and under the rain for hours, and many for the first time in their lives, because they believed their voices must be heard. They voted for the candidate of their choice.

These are manifestation that Nigerian youth have understood their democratic rights and are ready to actively participate in shaping the future they will live in. This is a victory to the youth.

There is no better time than now for Nigerian youth to work collectively in pursuing a youth development agenda. The Nigerian youth must take their rightful position, be in the centre stage in a democratic society.

The political outcome was determined by the youth’ votes; therefore, their voices must matter in governance. Young people must form at least 30% of the political positions at all levels. This is the new campaign for the Nigerian youth. The youth must demand for a youth minister and active involvement in decision-making processes at all levels.

General Buhari should never assume that the new job will be an easy one. 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.

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 for peace. As we celebrate Democracy, let us do so with love, brotherhood and tolerance to enjoy the beauty of Democracy.

Ahmed Adamu Gets African Of The Year Award

Abuja, By Bukola Ogunsina

— Mar 20, 2015 7:28 pm  

The first African/Nigerian to be the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), Ahmed Adamu, recently was bestowed with the honourable African of the Year Award. He received this at the African Achievers Awards Annual International Summit, which held at the British House of Parliament. The award was presented on the 13th of this month by HE Harry Hugan of the British Department of International Development.

Adamu at the Summit addressed the topic “Investing in Africa: A key to Sustainable Development”, where he challenged Africans as being responsible for the economic flaw in the continent. The Chairperson equally pointed out the enormous investment and money Africans convey to the western countries.

“We Africans are responsible for the investment gaps in our continent, because most Africans prefer to invest their money in the developed world. We also contribute to the economic development of the Europeans through education, tuition fees, visa fees, flight tickets, money transfer etc, all these are injections to foreign economies and leakages from the African economies,” he indicated.
He also specified that the country’s Agricultural sector is a sustainable and reliable area for African investment, as this would place Africa as the global economic leaders. He also encouraged Africans to patronise African products.

Likewise, Adamu mentioned the corruption plaguing Africa and believes that if corruption is tackled this can lead to the full economic development of the continent. He also pointed out that Africans have the responsibility to expel all corrupt leaders through democratic processes. “We will have to let our conscience guide our democratic decisions devoid of sentiments,” he commented, further adding that the first civilisation started in Africa, and Africa is the hope for global prosperity, as such Africans ought to build and invest in Africa.

CYC Chairman, Ahmed Adamu met and briefed Her Majesty the Queen

As part of the 2015 Commonwealth Day celebration, a reception was organised where Her Majesty the Queen met and discussed issues with young people across the Commonwealth. The Queen welcomed the proposed initiative by the Commonwealth Youth Council to publish a book in commemoration for Commonwealth Young Achievers. She equally commended the work of the CYC in the last one year. Leading the team is the CYC Chairperson, Ahmed Adamu, alongside CYC Vice Chair-Inclusion and engagement, Husni Mohammed, CYC Vice Chair- Policy and Advocacy, Sudharashana Lakshmi, and CYC Vice Chair-Partnerships and Resource, Sadham Zarjahan.

Chairperson of Commonwealth Youth Council, Ahmed Adamu received the Award of African Achiever of the Year at the British House of Parliament.

On Friday, 13th March, 2015 at the British House of Parliament, Mr Ahmed Adamu, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) was conferred with the prestigious honour as African Achiever of the year. The award was presented during the African Achievers Awards Annual International Summit, which was hosted by Rt. Hon Sir Gerald Kaufman, Member of Parliament for Manchester, Gorton, United Kingdom. The award was also presented by HE Harry Hugan of the British Department of International Development. Mr Adamu spoke at the summit on the topic “Investing in Africa: A key to Sustainable Development”, where he challenged Africans as being responsible for the economic crack in the continent, noting the huge investment and money Africans transport to the western countries. “We, Africans are responsible for the investment gaps in our continent, because most Africans prefer to invest their money in developed world. We also contribute to the economic development of the Europeans through education tuition fees, visa fees, flight tickets, money transfer etc, all these are injections to foreign economies and leakages from the African economies. For example, the money Nigerians spend in UK for tuition fees and upkeep expenses for only one year is enough to upgrade three federal universities in Nigeria to the standard of an Oxford University.” He mentioned that, Agriculture is the formidable and sustainable sector that Africans should harness to place themselves as the global economic leaders. “Some of the leading African economies are largely dependent on the limited and volatile petroleum resources, which cause many of them to face the danger of Dutch disease as it is manifested recently on Nigerian economy. The reliable sector that Africans should invest is the Agricultural sector.” He further blamed Africans for being exenocentrics, perceiving other people’s culture as superior than theirs. “How many of us here wearing African made cloth? You see for every cloth we buy from outside Africa, we are boosting their economy and divesting in ours” Mr Adamu stated. “For us to fully develop our economies, we have to remove corruption, especially corruption among leaders. Masses who are corrupt, they have to be that corrupt innocently and out of no option, because the government failed to provide their basic needs. Corruption at all levels is abomination though, and there is no excuse for being corrupt. However, most of the African leaders are intentionally corrupt, which is why development become relatively impossible. Africans have responsibility to oust all corrupt leaders through democratic processes, and we will have to let our conscience guide our democratic decisions devoid of sentiments.” Mr Ahmed Adamu further explained. “The first civilisation started in Africa, and Africa is the hope for global prosperity. It is only Africans that can build and invest in Africa, no one else. We have to believe in ourselves and build ourselves esteem. We have to stop looking up to others. If not us, who? If not now, when?”, Mr Adamu concluded.

2015 Commonwealth Day Message from Ahmed Adamu, Chairperson of Commonwealth Youth Council

22 Photos of Ahmed Adamu, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council for the campaign of non-violence election in Nigeria

2015: Achieving Zero-election violence-Youth President

Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) is the largest and the most diverse youth led organisation in the world and the official voice of over 1.2 Billion young people from across the 53 commonwealth nations. As elections draws near, the Nigerian-born Chairperson of the Council, Ahmed Adamu speaks to YOUTHVILLE on its programme, Youth Campaign Against Election Violence (YCAEV) and the role of young Nigerians in ensuring peace and achieving a zero-election violence.

What is this youth initiative designed to achieve?

It is a commonwealth initiative to ensure zero-election violence during electioneering process across some elected common wealth countries that were affected by violence in the previous elections. In 2014, we launched the YCAEV campaign in Abuja and we launched the step-down of the campaign in February also in Abuja.

How does it work?

We appointed state marshals. They are working in their states and local government areas, championing this campaign of non-violence in elections. We equally have ambassadors who have voluntarily undertaken to promote peace at every opportunity they have.

They engage in advocacy visits especially to the leaders of different background; religious, political and community leaders. They also engage in rallies to create awareness among others.

How are youths engaged in this violence-free election campaign?

At the launch, youths signed what we call the Youth Peace Accord. We have to sign our own peace accord because most of the violence is perpetuated by the young people.
That is what the Commonwealth has facilitated that the Nigerian young people have agreed that in this year’s election, there will be no violence. In the past elections, young people were killed.

What is the place of YCAEV in the forthcoming elections?

The tension and anxiety with so many security concerns for this year’s election underpins the need to intensify the campaign to promote peace in the country.

What is your evaluation of the challenges faced by youth with the available empowerment programmes?

We have been saying that if you have a ministry of health, you appoint a medical doctor, ministry of women you appoint a woman. Now, we have a ministry of youth, we should have a young person to be the minister who can still interact with his peers. The challenge youth face in Africa is unemployment. There are so many young people out there without jobs, some of them went to school and came out with no jobs. Those of them that did not go to school do not have enough capital or enough turn over when they do. A person who didn't go to school decided to do a mini-business and the business is collapsing because there is no patronage and now if you have this teeming young people coming together, the end result might turn out to be very bad. That is why the government and election is very important in defining and shaping the future of Nigerian young people.

What then would you say to young people?

Young people need to use this opportunity because the politicians, immediately after elections they will not come back to us. They should grab these politicians and make them commit to empowering young people in the country. Nigerian youths should open their eyes so that they will not just follow candidates blindly. They should look at the candidates especially at local and state levels, and they should avoid violence.

... and Government?

I think there is need for a constitutional review to accommodate young people in elected positions particularly at the national level. Young people have the capacity to contribute to national debate especially at the National Assembly but now the constitution is saying you cannot be president or governor until at the age of 40 or so. Even someone who is 39 like a governorship candidate in Niger state is above the definition of what we call youth in Nigeria which is between the age of 18 and 35.

Speech During the launching of Y-CAEV step down Part 2: by Ahmed Adamu, Chairman, CYC

Speech During the launching of Y-CAEV step down Part 1: by Ahmed Adamu, Chairman, CYC

Signing of Abuja Youth Peace Accord, 2015.

On Election Violence in Nigeria

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

We are disheartened and disappointed by statements made by a former Niger Delta militant and a Preacher. The former Niger Delta militant said "there will be a war if President Jonathan did not win election". The Preacher said "kill anyone that resemble BokoHaram".

While young people are committed to promoting peace especially during the election periods, such statements cannot be let go. Democracy is about convincing people not threatening them, and is a game of number. Elections can only be won by votes not by force. Religious leaders must preach peace. BokoHaram (BH) live in an isolated area, and for someone to say kill anyone that resembles them in an area that BH have never being is not right. BH do not have a particular look, and resembling BH can not cause anyone to be killed. Such statements are bound to cause violence especially at this difficult times.

We call on them to denounce their statements, otherwise they should be arrested for inciting comments. If not, such may encourage others to make similar comments, and may influence action.

John Kerry made it clear that, we must not only shun violence, we must promote peace. We encourage religious and group leaders to promote peace, tolerance and understand especially during elections. We must understand that election is not worth a single drop of a blood. We must allow freedom of choice and commit to truth and fairness. Other countries did their elections without tensions or any sort of violence, why not our country.

With peace, everyone wins. With violence, everyone looses. Let us all be winners.

Say No to Election Violence!

Naira Depreciation: Speculators vs DD/SS

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

The current Naira depreciation is as dangerous as Ebola crisis, but many undermine its potential repercussions. An elementary economics tells us that floating exchange rates are influenced by the invisible hands of Demand (DD) and Supply (SS), this effect may take certain period to manifest. However, other factors like speculation play vital role in stimulating swift depreciation of the Naira. I become suspicious of the recent Naira devaluation, and I want to believe the speculators are responsible for that.

DD and SS are the natural determinants of a currency’s exchange rate. In a lay man terms: When Nigerians went to international markets, they go with their products and their Naira and they meet Americans who also come with their product and Dollars, if at the end of the day, Nigerians bought more of Dollars (to acquire American products) than what Americans bought of Naira (to acquire Nigeria products), then Naira supply exceeds its demand. When the supply of Naira exceeds its demand, the value of Naira comes down.

The only commodity that has been protecting the Naira was the crude oil, and with low demand of the Nigerian crude oil, Naira demand has fallen down and its supply increases, which leads to down fall in Naira value.

It is obvious that Nigeria is catching up with “Dutch Disease”. A Dutch disease is a situation where a country rely solely on a natural resource sector as a source of its external earning, thereby making the manufacturing and agricultural sectors vulnerable and even more expensive than other countries’ manufacturing outputs (due to high cost of production as all raw materials are imported), and thereby low patronage. This will make the natural resource sector (oil and gas sector in Nigerian case) the only reliable economic sector. With the fall of demand for Nigerian crude oil (resulting from discoveries of alternative energy resources) and subsequent fall in crude oil price, the Naira and Nigerian economy is now in jeopardy, as there will no longer be demand for its crude oil and its currency. The manufacturing and agricultural sector are no where to absorb the shock. Therefore, Nigeria is now stranded, workers in oil and gas sectors loose their jobs, and production of crude oil decreases, more unemployment, low GDP, inflation and by extension, every single Nigerian becomes poorer by day. Students abroad pay more, people pay more to fly abroad, factors of production become more expensive.

Had it been the manufacturing and agricultural sectors contribute significantly to the Nigerian exports, outputs from these sectors would have been more competitive now at the international market, as it will be cheaper due to the low Naira value. If the demand for the manufacturing and agricultural outputs continue to increase, implying increase in Naira demand, then the Naira might redeem its lost value. But now the manufacturing and agricultural sector are not there, who will rescue Nigeria? Unfortunately, all I can foresee is continues down fall.

Nigeria could innocently be suffering as I believe speculators are responsible for the rapid and unprecedented fall in Naira value. Speculators in many circumstances, determine the relative valuations of currencies based on perceptions of key macroeconomic factors. Countries with excessive debt will often experience currency devaluation as speculators perceive greater risk. Speculators are punishing Nigeria as they foresee no future for the country’s economy given the above scenarios, hence their activities became responsible for the swift and continues Naira devaluation. People in ForEx business are responsible as they suspect depreciation of Naira in future due to the obvious reasons, and they continue to sell off Naira in their possessions to acquire other currencies, and this boost the pace of the Naira devaluation above what the natural DD and SS forces would have push it.

Now there is overflow of the Naira, and Nigerian government has to clear the market by supplying more foreign currencies from its foreign reserves, and pay more to service its debts. This leads to shrinkage of the countries foreign reserve, and by implication reducing the economic power of the country compare to many other countries.

Way forward:

1. Immediate revival of manufacturing and agricultural sector. If Nigerians can produce all they require within their country, they would never care about what value is ascribed to their currency at international market, as they will not need other currencies to satisfy their demands. This will also increase aggregate demand, GDP, and increase exports, and eventually restore the value of Naira.
2. Increase Interest rate and bank reserves: Cost of money shall be increased to reduce the Naira liquidity, and to control the resulting inflation from the Naira depreciation. Banks shall keep higher reserves to control money in circulation.
3. Reduction in expenditure: Government must cut unnecessary expenditures, and stop borrowing.
4. Reduce individual demand for foreign currency unless necessary, this can be enforced by introducing additional penalty for every foreign currency purchased within the country.
5. Pray-As they said, everything that happen to Nigeria, they will say “just keep praying” Maybe a miracle can happened. Lol We hope a miracle can happen soon.

Pls discuss….