City Boy Movement calls on youths to promote Nigeria and avoid violence

The City Boy Movement West Africa Director, Olatunde Igbasan, has encouraged Nigerian youths to promote the country and stay away from electoral violence.

Igbasan, who also holds the title of APC Youth Network West Africa Director General, made this appeal during an Independence Day walk. This event marked Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary and the APC Youth Week in West Africa.

He asked young Nigerians to use their influence in positive ways instead of engaging in actions that could hurt the country's reputation.

“We can use our platform for different things, to promote our nation, rather than to demarcate the country you have come from,” he said.

Igbasan expressed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that the government has made noticeable changes for Nigerians living abroad.

“We have past presidents. We have leaders that have come and gone. Nothing has changed so far. But this present president, things have really changed a lot in the diaspora for us,” he said.

He urged youths to back Tinubu for a second term, saying that continuity would help carry on vital projects and programs.

“I believe this is the time for us to give our president the opportunity for the second time so that what he is doing, the implementation that he is doing,” Igbasan said.

On infrastructure, he emphasized the importance of roads and development projects for the nation's growth.

“You cannot build this nation without infrastructure,” he said, mentioning South Africa and China as examples of countries where infrastructure has boosted development.

Igbasan also told young Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Cards and participate peacefully in elections.

“The PVC has come. Go to your ward. Go and get your PVC,” he said.

He advised youths to leave polling places after voting, as staying could expose them to violence.

“On the day of the election, the moment you cast your vote, please go home,” he said.

He warned young Nigerians against being used by politicians or activists to take part in violent protests.

“Those people telling you to stay there, when this riot comes, they went back to their houses. Their children are not in this country,” he said.

Igbasan encouraged youths who are unhappy with government policies to join politics and bring their skills to help develop the nation.

“If you said the government is not doing well, come and join the party. You must belong to a society. Show your skill,” he said.

He urged young Nigerians to apply their education and skills to fields like transportation and mining.

“What you have learned in school, bring it on board. You have to start now,” he said.

Igbasan further called on Nigerians to help tackle the country’s challenges instead of just criticizing the government.

“We understand that we cannot get everything 100%. But then you don’t need to go out there and say this person is not good,” he said.

He finished by calling for ongoing support for the Tinubu administration.

“In as much as he is on the throne, we need to support him to finish what he is doing,” Igbasan said.

Also speaking at the walk, the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Civic Engagement, Ruth Ayomide, showed her support for Tinubu. She challenged opposition candidates to account for their past records in public offices.

Ayomide said the walk aimed to celebrate national unity, progress, and prosperity while also encouraging youth involvement in civic and political activities.

“We planned the walk in favour of celebrating the unity, the progress and the prosperity of the country,” she said.

She described her participation as part of her civic duty in Lagos State and mobilization efforts.

“As the SSA Civic Engagement, it is part of our civic responsibility in Lagos State and also as part of mobilisation,” she said.