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A youth group, Jonathan Youth Vanguard, yesterday urged
President Goodluck Jonathan to facilitate the creation of wealth in the
nation’s economy to help harness the potential of the youths towards national
development.

The group, which said it formed to mobilise support for the
president to help him succeed in delivering his agenda to Nigerians, averred
that any nation whose citizens wallow in abject poverty and hunger cannot
develop.

“We are determined to mobilise support for President Goodluck
Ebele Jonathan to succeed as he leads our nation to prosperity and greatness,”
national convener of the group, George Turner, said. “We commend and
congratulate Mr. President on his four-point agenda, namely electoral reform,
power supply, security, and Niger Delta development as well as anti-corruption
crusade, which we view as the most critical areas of our national development
challenge.”

The group said the federal government needs to add wealth
creation as its fifth agenda, because a nation whose citizens wallow in abject
poverty and hunger cannot develop.

“Therefore, we call on the president to immediately create
wealth through the development of such institutions as small and medium-scale enterprises
(SMEs), as well as promote competitiveness in the nation’s industrial sector.
We are confident that he will empower the youths meaningfully in a manner that
their future will be securely guaranteed,” he said.

Mobilising for Jonathan

Mr. Turner said the group was established as a youth-based
political organisation that would provide the platform for youths across
Nigeria and in the Diaspora, to contribute to the development agenda and
strategic framework in Nigeria’s political affairs.

“Our agenda is not 2011. We are interested in good governance,
credible leadership of the country, accountability, and better Nigeria. It also
aims to engage the broad minds of Nigerian youths to debate on opportunities
and challenges in promoting principles such as democracy, good government,
social justice, and increased youth participation in politics and good
governance, particularly in meaningful participation of youths in shaping
public policy,” he said.

The group, which said Mr. Jonathan has never made a public
declaration about his interest in running for the 2011 presidential race,
disclosed that its members would not hesitate to mobilise support for him if he
delivers on his promises to Nigerians.