Osun Speaker Urges Youths to Play Critical Roles in Democracy

By Tunde Eso 

The Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has urged Nigerian youths to play critical roles that will entrench participatory and developmental democracy.

This was contained in his speech at the 2023 Student Parliamentary Summit of the Students' Union Senate Council of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday.

According to him, his attendance at the event held at the Main Auditorium of the University was in recognition of the Council's relentless efforts to deepen democracy, even as students'. 

"What you are doing here today, is a vital contribution to the development of critical manpower, that will help expand the frontiers of democracy and secure our future as a democratic Federation. I am here at this event to encourage you on this path of intellectualism that you have chosen".

"Our democracy is quickly evolving and the roles that young people like you can play in this evolution and the future of it can never be underestimated. This summit is a preparation ground for the future roles that you will all play in the entrenchment of participatory and developmental democracy", he said 

Rt. Hon. Egbedun, who described the qualities of a true legislator also explained that the triumph of Nigeria's democracy over evil actors largely depends on stabilisation and collectivism.

In his words, the Osun Speaker said "The roles of legislators in this 21st-century democracy are those of stabilisation and collectivism. Without these two, our democracy cannot survive the machinations of evil actors who desire to perpetuate themselves as sit-tight leaders".

"The legislator in this era of democracy is there to ensure the stability of democracy by ensuring adherence to the rule of law and due process in the execution of government business. This will be achieved by the promulgation of new, progressive laws, and by review of old laws to reflect current National realities".

The Speaker who maintained that lawmakers must carry their constituents along in the decision-making process also asserted that this gives room for checks and balances among the tiers of government.

"These roles are like gate-keeping for democracy. Without stability and collectivism, there will be no point defining democracy as government of the people, by the people and for the people" he concluded.

The theme of the event is "Legislation and its peculiarities: role of legislators in the 21st Century.

The Osun Speaker was honoured and given an award of honour, in recognition of his great contributions to the development of the Students' Union, University of Ilorin.