“YOUTH EMPOWERMENT TO FOSTER UNITY” - YOWICAN PRSIDENT

SIMON DOLLY

Dr. Simon Dolly, the National youth president of YOWICAN, a youth arm of Christian Association of Nigeria (C.A.N) in an exclusive interview with The Genius Magazine advocates for harmonious living relationship between the Muslim and the Christian community. 

He admonished all Christian leaders to sincerely commit the security challenges in the country to God, as he alone can bring the desired peace the country desires now.

 The youth president who was recently decorated as full Commandant of Chaplain , and also conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree of Christian Leadership by the International Institute of pastoral Education and Chaplaincy /  International Chaplains Association USA emphasised on the need for all youths irrespective of religious or political affiliation to strive for skill acquisition, as against waiting for the white collar jobs. 

In his remarks, the one- time chairman of Nasarawa State Nigeria, who resigned his appointment to take up the call for the betterment of the youths, emphasised on his greatest achievement since stepping into the office been the realisation of the unity goal of his administration between the Christian and Muslim. 

He advocated for prayers and advice from all spiritual leaders , whom he applauded but called on them to do more in the area of collaboration. 

‘’ the problem of this nation sincerely is the youths’’ he cried, as empowerment that they clamour for should not be shouldered by government alone. He called on the youths to rise up to responsibilities as the mantle will fall on them when our elders answer the call of death..

He expressed sadness over the incessant unrest in many parts of the North , and narrowed it down to a scenario where the northerners in the country assume that the current leadership under President Goodluck Jonathan stole their mandate.  He however, called on the president to read the handwriting on the wall, and allow peace to reign by not heeding to some advices from his so-called advisers as they benefit from such misgivings. 

The YOWICAN president who lost two of his relation , got his house burnt to ashes in one of the communal attacks within Nasarawa state,  strongly believes it is his own part of the sacrifice for a peaceful Nigeria but was optimistic with the exodus assurance that ‘’ the Egyptians you see today , you will see them no more’’  

He also advocated for government at all level to create job opportunities to get our youths busy , as the crimes we face today are perpetrated by them.  

I am not a politician, and I don’t follow politicians as they will use you and dump you.

On the issue that the country is at the brink on degeneration or division, the patriot placed the unity mandate on God the creator as he alone knows the fate of the nation.

‘’ it’s just God that is still holding this country together, and not Jonathan’’.  He called on both the government and the public sector to open other investment opportunities in the country , to diversify from oil as the oil he said will dry up one day..

On the incessant political party struggle, the onetime policy implementer heaped part of the problems of the country on die hard politicians who play party politics , in that they represent ONLY the ideology of their parties , living the whole nation at its own mercy. 

He cited the Obama re- election , and the cleric call by the re- elected president to work with all other contestants , as it is not a win or loose game but decision for all Americans for the betterment of America, other than chase shadows with different court files challenging credibility and all what not, as has always been the case of our own country Nigeria. 

On the general election come 2015, the youth president called on all and sundry eligible  electorates to vote for a candidate of their choice and not on sentiments and warned all those bane on destroying the country to keep – off as nemesis will soon catch up with them. 

He also bared his mind on the public presentation by pastor Tunde Bakare on the gift to the leadership of CAN, adding that it was just for the secretariat and should not trigger media hypes, but that we all will stand at the judgement throne to give account of our stewardship on earth. ‘’we should not judge as only God , is the right judge’’ if all Nigerians will pray for Goodluck, we will make headways he prayed.

He surmised by calling on all Nigerians to focus on achieving peace, unity and look forward to brighter days ahead.