The United States (US )Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, has challenged Nigerian youth to take over the leadership of the country in the coming 2023 general elections.
Beth said that the only way for them to do that is by being involve in controlling the voting process of the country.
The Ambassador who spoke at the 13th graduation of the class of 2022 of American University of Nigeria ( AUN) Yola, disclosed that the population of the Nigerian youth has placed them on the advantage of using their votes to decide who becomes their leader.
The university graduated 33 for first-class and 266 graduated in different fields
She said, “I can’t stress this enough: voting is the way your voice can be heard, and to ensure that issues that concern you and your community become a priority for lawmakers and elective individuals and gives you access to those who may wish to earn your vote what matters to you”.
“What happens when you don’t vote? Former First Lady Michelle Obama said this morning you are giving your power to someone else, someone who doesn’t necessarily see the world the same as you. You are letting them make some key decisions and the truth is that they are hoping you would stay home for them to make key decisions about the “way you live for you. ”
The US Ambassador said that it is easy to get discouraged and to doubt that your vote will make a difference.
“But again please remember that voting is your voice, it is only through voting that you can hold those for whom you vote accountable.”
She added,” It is you and your generation that has the future of Nigeria in your hands as you become the most significant demographic in Nigerian elections, and you owe it to yourself and to your country to demand an elected leader who will govern and provide security, justice, and services for all Nigerians. This is the call to action 2023″.
However, guests were shocked that the former Vice president and presidential aspirant on the platform of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, keep sealed lips on his presidential ambition at the graduation ceremony of his university AUN.
Atiku who was in attendance with some of his political friends, including Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, did not say a word throughout the 3 hours ceremony.
In her welcome remarks, the vice-chancellor of the university Dr. Margee Ensign, commended the founder of the university Atiku, for his foresight to build an institution that is training future African leaders.
She said that the university is not only training students for academic activities only, but that it is offering services to different communities and scholarships to students.
