By; TINA PHINEAS, Yola
Nigerian youth have been charged to take the issue of voting in the 2023 general election seriously.
American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard who gave the charge in Yola, Adamawa State during the 13th graduation ceremony of the American University of Nigeria, stressed that, “your vote is your voice”.
” I can’t stress this enough, voting is the way your voice can be heard, and to ensure that issues that concern you and your community become a priority for law makers and elective individuals and gives you access to those who may wish to earn your vote what matters to you”
“What happens when you don’t vote?” She asked rhetorically.
The Ambassador said former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama once said, “when you don’t vote, you are giving your power to someone else, someone who doesn’t necessarily see the world the same as you. You are letting them make some really key decisions and the truth is that they are hoping you would stay home for them to make key decisions about the way you live for you.”Bon appetit! It is an easy trap to fall into.
“I see this in my own country all the time, I know it’s easy to get discouraged and to doubt that your vote will make a difference, but again please remember that voting is your voice, it is only through voting that you can hold those for whom you vote accountable”.
“It is you and your generation that have the future of Nigeria in your hands as you become the most significant demographic in Nigerian elections, and you owe it to yourself and to your country to demand an elected leader who will govern and provide security, justice and services for all Nigerians. This is the call to action 2023,” she said.
Leonard who was the convocation speaker, told the graduands that, “you may choose a part of public service; you may consider a career in part running for elective office, working for a national company or authority; you may become a good diplomat like me that represents Nigeria and to those who may tend to represent creativity through arts, remember arts leads to discussions, cross boundaries, changed attitudes and influence upon us.
“Art is a passionate language. Literature brings new perspectives and can unite, these are forces that can move individuals and create movements that changes”.
She also added that, “there are also abundant ways to serve your country on a personal level by just advocating for a cause you believe in and casting your votes, all of you can get your country going by shaping its policies and directions, by following the issues, by making your voice heard and by casting your vote”.
The Ambassador who has served in Cameroom, Namibia, South Africa, Togo and Mali, commended AUN’s gaint strides in developing Africa’s future leaders.
“AUN is truly a bright, pulsating light and whatever career you decide to pursue, AUN has provided you with a rigorous education. It has provided you with the knowledge and tools to prepare you for your future, and it has provided you with relationships and a network that will guide you for life.
“AUN has always responded to some of the big challenges of the times. For example, AUN recently welcomed Nigerian students forced to return from conflict ridden Ukraine. During the Boko Haram crisis in 2014, AUN students, faculty and staff fed more than 300,000 internally displaced people.
“The Chibok students were kidnapped, in 2014, AUN led a team to bring back those who had escaped, almost all the women freed in 2021 are now studying at AUN, and I commend AUN for facilitating funding for these students from an American donor and the government of Nigeria and its commitment to continue doing so”.
New Nigerian reports that 266 Students graduated from the class of 2022, among them are 2 PhD students, 13 Masters degree students and 251 first degree in various disciplines .
