Abuja – A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Raphael Igbokwe (Imo-PDP), has urged President Mohammadu Buhari to appoint young persons to ministerial positions.

Igbokwe on Wednesday in Abuja said that the first list of ministerial nominees Buhari sent to the Senate did not include names of young persons.

The lawmaker stressed the need for the country to begin to encourage youths to participate actively in governance in order to prepare them for leadership roles in the future.

“With the recent announcement of ministerial nominees, we were taken aback that in the list so mentioned we have not seen any young person included there.

“We want to appeal to the government to consider getting more young people on board.

“Bringing them close makes them understand the workings of government and make them appreciate government better.

“And also it gives them opportunity to be heard and also contribute their quota.“

Igbokwe observed that it was unfair to exclude youths from actively participating in politics because of their age.

“`At the age of 18 years you can vote; yet at the same age, a person cannot be voted for.

“Citizens have to wait for a very long time before they can be eligible to hold public offices.’’