Nso Gabriel, Reporting for Abuja Bereau
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has cried out to President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged misapplication of the N75 billion National Youths Investment Fund (NYIF.
NYCN’s President, Comrade Solomon Adodo claimed that there is yet to be any productive beneficiary of the Fund that is adding value to the Nigerian Economy.
Adodo in a petition copied to the Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha argued that the monies if properly utilized by the Youths could serve as a springboard to shore up our GDP and generate more funds for government.
Adodo said it is unfortunate that the Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare in conjunction with officials of the ministry were rather preoccupied by the task of forcefully imposing a stooge on the teeming Nigerian Youths than addressing the anomaly of empowering the Youths in the Country.
He said: “The Ministry has surreptitiously proceeded to convene an illegal Congress of the NYCN contrary to the NYCN Constitution where they hope to mislead the public by endorsing some Candidates without due Elections.
“Evidently, Ministry officials have been compromised with bribes while the Minister looks the other way (find attached huge cash amounts displayed by the perpetrators). Your Excellency might further wish to note that I have been threatened and faced with varying degrees of intimidation with the backing of the Ministry just to ensure I renounce my position as President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
“The height of this was when I was kidnapped by some compromised Police relying on the Ministry’s misleading letters, taken to Court without legal representation and immediately sent to Prison on charges that I incited public disturbance by attempting to organize the National Leadership, Economic and Security Summit – a program meant to shore up support for Mr. President and positively redirect the energies of the youth.
“I have vehemently refused to give up this seat even with the desperate attempts to also induce me financially when intimidation did not work. The youth require firm and disciplined leadership at this critical point in the life of our nation – a leadership that will complement the efforts of government through thorough strategic engagements with all classes of youth.
“This cannot be traded on the altar of pecuniary gain as we have gleaned lessons from your exemplary self sacrificing lifestyle.
“It might further interest Your Excellency to note that the Minister of Youth and Sports Development – Mr. Sunday Dare – has featured conspicuously in an ongoing investigation involving forgery of the signatures and other details of former Presidents just in a bid to clandestinely acquire a new Certificate of Incorporation of the National Youth Council of Nigeria from the Corporate Affairs Commission.
“The new Certificate which is the subject of forgery investigation at the Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigerian Police Force has Mr. Sunday Dare’s name prominently displayed on it (find attached the said CAC Certificate). This and other matters are presently in Court.
“Notwithstanding these barrage of attacks and humiliation, I still wish to reiterate our assurances to Your Excellency that our loyalty to you is unalloyed, and our support to your government is unconditional.”