Youth Parliament Can Renew Nigeria’s Hope Through Service, Integrity — Anna Dara By Okwo Romeon, Abuja

 

A member of the Board of Trustees of the Youth Parliament for Renewed Hope, Hon. Anna Philemon Dara, has called on Nigerian youths to prepare for responsible leadership by embracing integrity, competence and national service.

Speaking at the maiden general meeting of the Youth Parliament for Renewed Hope held at the Committee Room of the House of Representatives in Abuja, Dara described the gathering of young Nigerians at the National Assembly as evidence that the “Renewed Hope” agenda was gradually taking shape.

Hon. Anna Philemon Dara with Comrade Hussaina Alhaji Akali at National Assembly Abuja.

She thanked the leadership of the parliament for her appointment to the Board of Trustees and commended the organisers for creating a platform aimed at encouraging youth participation in governance and national development.

According to her, rebuilding Nigeria requires more than political speeches and activism, stressing that sustainable change can only be achieved through disciplined and competent individuals working within strong institutions.

Hon Dara with clerk and the Speaker at Occasions.

“The country is rebuilt in offices as much as it is rebuilt at podiums. The most powerful work of national development is the patient and disciplined work of competent people inside competent institutions,” she said.

Drawing from her experience in both public and private institutions, including the National Youth Service Corps, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Leadership Academy, Dara urged young Nigerians to begin preparing themselves for future leadership responsibilities.

She identified preparation, integrity and service as the core values that should guide the younger generation.

On preparation, Dara urged youths to study governance processes, understand budgeting systems and acquire the knowledge required to contribute meaningfully to national development.

“Nigeria does not lack idealism or passion. What our institutions lack are people who have prepared themselves to carry responsibility,” she said.

Speaking on integrity, she warned that many talented individuals lose opportunities because of poor personal choices, adding that integrity must become a daily way of life rather than a public performance.

Dara also described service as the highest form of leadership, noting that Nigeria needs leaders who place the welfare of citizens above personal ambition.

“Hope is renewed not by people who acquire titles, but by those who develop the habit of putting other people’s welfare ahead of personal advancement,” she added.

She further disclosed her intention to contest for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, saying her ambition was rooted in her belief in youth leadership and institutional development.

According to her, effective representation must be driven by competence, service and a deep understanding of governance institutions.

“If you give this country your best, this country will, in time, give your generation its government,” she told participants.

The event attracted youth leaders, stakeholders and members of the press from across the country.

Earlier, the President of Youths Renewal Initiative and Speaker of the Youth Parliament for Renewed Hope said the conference marked a defining moment in the collective pursuit of a stronger and more progressive Nigeria.

“It is with profound honour, great patriotism and an unwavering sense of responsibility that I stand before you today as the Speaker of the Youth Parliament for Renewed Hope on the occasion of this historic press and world conference,” he said.

He stated that Nigerian youths must no longer remain passive observers in governance but should become active participants in policy-making, democratic development, peace-building and national unity.

According to him, the Youth Parliament for Renewed Hope was established to provide a platform through which young people could contribute meaningfully to governance, leadership, innovation and democratic participation.

“We believe strongly that the future belongs to nations that invest in the intelligence, creativity and energy of their young population,” he said.

He also commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold reforms targeted at economic stability, institutional growth, infrastructure development and youth empowerment.

The speaker said initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), CreditCorp and other youth-focused programmes were aimed at expanding educational opportunities, entrepreneurship and economic participation among young Nigerians.

Some regional directors of the organisation also expressed support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition and urged Nigerian youths to remain committed to his mandate.