The Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi H. Maibasira in this interview with Youthhubafrica’s Rotimi Olawale, delves into the process of becoming a Honourable at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, his plans as Speaker of the Parliament and his thoughts on the constitutional review process
Speaker, Nigerian Youth Parliament
Q: How was the Nigerian Youth Parliament established?
The Nigerian Youth Parliament was established and first inaugurated by late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua in August 2008 via executive fiat as a leadership and mentoring programme coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Youths in liaison with the National Assembly. President Jonathan subsequently inaugurated the second session of the Parliament in December 2011.
Q: How many Parliamentarians are there in the parliament and how are they selected?
Nominations are drawn through competitive selection process from each State and the FCT. Each Senate district in Nigeria has a youth parliamentarian which constitutes a total of 109 youth legislators, who are aged between 18 and 30 with a minimum of ‘O’ level qualification. Each State must also nominate at least one female youth among the three nominees. The parliament is for a two – year non – renewable tenure.
Q: How did you emerge as the Speaker of the Parliament?
I emerged as speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament by election of the Honorable Members on the very day of our inauguration on Wednesday, December 14, 2011.
Q: What has been the major successes of the parliament since inception and under your tenure?
We passed unprecedented resolutions on constitutional reform, reduction on age restriction, greater devolution of powers, security, the last ASUU strike, Al – Majiri education system, advocated for creation of States Youth Parliaments and we have also successfully expanded the Committees of the Parliament. Another key resolution is the one that seeks for a Presidential Youth Interactive Forum every August 12.
Q: Do you think the parliament is effective? What happens to the resolutions passed by the parliament and how are they implemented?
Yes, if you take the fact that the bedrock of any democracy is the vibrancy of its representation. Yes, the Youth Parliament is an effective tool in bringing Nigeria’s very young minds to gather knowledge and appreciate Parliamentary practice. Also, you see Nigerian youths discussing National issues with all the positive sides of youthful exuberance under very legitimate environment. The resolutions of the Parliament are forwarded to Mr. President in line with Order XII of the standing orders of the Nigerian Youth Parliament. Resolutions are implemented by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Parliament can equally undertake oversight duties within the scope of its framework.
Q: At the end of your tenure, what are the things you planned to have achieved?
To review the youth Parliament framework and give future youth legislators the privilege of greater opportunities, to expand the horizons and to have passed resolutions with youths perspective that will stand the test of time and equally more imperative, the establishment of Youth Parliaments in various States of the federation.
Q: A lot of young Nigerians don’t even know there exists a youth parliament in Nigeria, what are you doing to promote the parliament among youths?
Yes, this is a challenge we inherited but we understand that we are only the second session. Even as a nation, it is still taking us so much time to appreciate and learn democratic principles adequately, democratic institutions the world over takes time to grow and perfect. Also, we are bound and sworn to parliamentary practice because this is a mentoring ground for decorum, leadership, process management and procedural credibility. So we don’t operate like an association, union, NGO, CBO or organization. We are equally constrained as most youth movements across the globe in financial leverage and by the number of sittings we have in a year, which according to the framework is a 2-week duration in a year. However, we are awaiting positive word from Mr. President for the Parliament to sit on a quarterly basis. But on our part, as a leadership; we have opened the doors of this present parliament to several institutions, groups and stakeholders. We have developed and embarked on an aggressive strategy for advocacy in States, for the establishment of states youth parliament and we have expanded the standing Committees of the Parliament to open up the participatory space and expand closer ties with organizations. I believe, that I am having this conversation with you is because of our willingness to come close to our constituency.
Q: Is the youth parliament active on social media (website, facebook twitter?)
We currently have a website, www.nigerianyouthparliament.gov.ng. However, at present; the website needs to undergo upgrade but the full list of all Parliamentarians, their constituencies and our resolutions have been updated.
The Speaker and other principal officers being led to the House sitting
Q: What is the one thing that you want changed in the current 1999 constitution under review?
The sensitivity of this matter constrains my personal disposition on it. As Speaker however, I will speak of the resolution of the Parliament. The Parliament; in its resolution of Thursday, 12th July 2012 resolved that the National Assembly should reduce the age for elective positions to 25 years for both States Houses of Assembly and the House of Representatives, 30 years for both Senate and Governors and 37 years for President. Another key issue earmarked for constitutional reform is the devolution of powers. On this, the Youth Parliament resolved that Local Government Autonomy should be entrenched as a means of Devolution of powers to enhance grass roots development and ginger states to find alternative sources of internal revenue.
Q: How do you relax?
I feel most relaxed in my home town, Minna in Niger State. I spend a lot of time with my wife and my son. I am a strong advocate of family life. I visit childhood friends and read but mostly on history, military studies and politics.
