Right Honourable Tajudeen Abbas and his connections with youths
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Tajudeen Abbas is a man who has warmed himself into the hearts of Nigerian Youths in the present administration. His voice about the youths any time, any day echoes love. And the youths love him also.

He knows that the future of this country belongs to the youths. He is passionate about Nigeria’s youths and future, ultimately what would become the future Nigeria is building today. He has carriage, candour and places confidence in the youths.

Last time he had encounter with the youths he tasked them to become active participantes in nation-building rather than to continue to indulge in armchair criticisms of government policies through online. That was during the launch of the Take Action Campaign TAC, an initiative of the Youth in Parliament Forum YIPF designed to empower young Nigerians to assume leadership roles in politics and public service.

The Speaker who was represented by chairman of the House Committee on youth in parliament, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala urged young Nigerians to engage constructively with the government on governance issues. According to him “The youths are not just the future, they are the present. They must begin to reflect their numbers in the governance of this nation. If we cannot articulate the change we want or push for it through structured engagement, then what are we doing?“Imagine if over 100 seats were reserved for women and more than 70 were occupied by women under 35. That would change the national conversation entirely.” He argued that even with a blue passport abroad, you’re still a second-class citizen. “No one can ever take your Nigerian identity from you. This is your land, your mission, your birthright.” Abbas said moving abroad does not erase young people’s roots or identity. “Don’t just sit behind your devices criticising. Get involved. Monitor policies. Ask hard questions. Make noise where it matters. We have no other country but this one. So let us rise and take action.” he advised.
Just as the saying goes “where youths are found, women are not far from there.” This is given that both youths and women share some features in common. There are some parts and concerns of women and youths that only them understand it. And it requires their voices for effective representations. But most times they lack financial muscle to fight their way into the system. That makes it imperative to create rooms for them. And so when the RT Hon Speaker Abbas stated that the goal of the 10th House is to ensure that Nigerian women, who are essentially parts of the nation’s social and economic fabric, secure their rightful place within the country’s governance framework, he was speaking the minds of most Nigerians. He disclosed this during the international legislative dialogue on women and the constitutional amendment process in Nigeria, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Construction Review. According to him, “around the world, and particularly in Africa, we see encouraging examples of gender inclusion. Rwanda, with over 60 per cent women representation in its parliament, has shown us that robust, intentional policies work. South Africa, Namibia, and Senegal have all taken giant strides towards inclusivity in reshaping their political landscapes in ways Nigeria can learn from. These countries have demonstrated the profound impact of women’s perspectives on governance and development. Women bring unique perspectives that influence vital issues, from healthcare to economic policy, creating legislation that resonates with millions. McKinsey estimates that closing gender gaps could add $12 trillion to the global GDP by 2025, underscoring the immense untapped potential of women’s inclusion. Thus, increased representation of women is not a luxury but a necessity for sustainable national development and stability,” among others. But the big question now is, would the gesture of RT Hon Speaker Abbas go unrewarded come 2027? A member of Youths forum, Babanga Kola said that Abbas has already become a house hold name across Nigeria. And definitely any political office he chooses to run for in 2027 will attract the support of women and Youths. According to him, “we live in small world, it’s easy to notice what soever any one is doing with the position of authority God bequeaths on him. When the time comes for reward, you will see people responding accordingly. Any other political office the speaker would offer to run will be a work over for him”. Another youth, Tunji Taiwo said that the present Speaker of House of Representatives is the most popular among youths since the inception of the fourth republic in 1999. He however, urged him to remain focused and not be distracted. He said that RT Hon Abbas has affected the lives many Nigerians without tribal sentiment and that is the type of leaders the present Nigeria is craving for. .