There is this widely accepted saying that ‘the youths of today
will grow up to become leaders of tomorrow.’ Be that as it
may, there is no gain saying the fact that the youths, who
constitute the majority in the Nigerian polity, are,
unequivocally, the most important human resources in the
socio-political and economic development and or otherwise
of the country.
The upbringing we give to them will obviously determine the
ways they will steer the ship of the nation in the nearest
future. However, if we critically look at the above scenario,
you will agree with me that their contributions in the affairs of
our great country today will determine if there would still be
a country called Nigeria for them to take over its governance
tomorrow. In view of the aforementioned, there is every need
to give our youths the best teachings, trainings and other
societal benefits to make them responsible citizens.
Today, the situation in the country is worrisome because of
the rate of crimes and insecurity. This could be blamed on
the fact that majority of our youths are not gainfully
employed. As the saying goes, ‘an idle mind is the devil’s
workshop.’ As a result, there is an urgent expectation from
government to create jobs and put other developmental
programmes in place to drastically reduce the suffering of the
masses. Institutions of higher learning are producing
graduates every now and then, but, with the arbitrary age
limits and or work experience set as standard requirements
by majority of employers of labour, coupled with scarcity of
vacancies, it is obvious that a good number of our graduates
will never be employed in this generation. One will then
begin to wonder if it is reasonable for people to go to school,
in the first place. In a situation like this, what would you
expect from people in this category when they receive the
news of missing billions of dollars or when it is alleged that
some office holders are expending so much and engaging in
other extravagant ways of life? Thus, it is very pertinent for
our leaders to show more sense of responsibilities by
curbing these excesses and putting concrete programmes in
place to alleviate the suffering of the masses.
As it were, it is no longer news to say that the youths have
engaged themselves in various crimes and societal vices,
ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, ritual killings,
manufacturers and traders in innocent babies, street cultism,
bombing and maiming of innocent citizens, to mention but a
few. In whichever ways we look at the situation, it is obvious
that the youths are aggrieved and disgruntled because our
leaders have let them down. However, taking to crimes and
all other vices is not and can never be the solution. It is
based on this premise that I want to use this medium to
appeal to our youths to desist from evils because they would
rather compound the situation than solving them.
Nigerian youths should truly see themselves as leaders of
tomorrow because whatever we sow today is what we shall
reap tomorrow. Rather than engaging in all sorts of vices, we
should start thinking of what to contribute towards
rejuvenating our democracy and ensuring that the benefits
are felt by all and sundry. If we agree that the youths
constitute majority of the country’s population then, all is
well and good. It means that our destinies are in our hands. If
democracy is the government of the people, by the people
and for the people, it means, it is the government of the
majority of the electorate. So, why can’t we use our
numerical advantage to rights the wrongs? In view of the
above, I will enjoin the youths to shun all vices and come
together to decide our future. Let us start by participating
positively and actively in politics. Register your membership
with any political party of your choice, so that you will be
eligible to nominate and be nominated for elective positions.
Also, ensure that if you have attained the voting age, you
should register with INEC so that you can vote and be voted
for in future elections.
Unlike in the pasts, where most people vote just to make up
the numbers and or because of inducements from politicians,
we should all have it at the back of our minds that our votes
are our power that can make or break our future; so we must
use them wisely. Henceforth, voting should be based on
conscience, principles and concrete developmental
programmes that will assuage our sufferings. If we continue
to allow ourselves to be used for violence and other electoral
malpractices, then, our relevance ceases as soon as we are
paid for the dirty jobs. In this situation, it will be unjustifiable
if we turn back to complain of misrule by our leaders in the
events after. But, if we refused to yield to the advances of
corrupt minded and unpatriotic politicians and decide to take
our destinies in our hands by our positive and conscientious
participations then, the sky will be the limit for us in the
nearest future.
Inasmuch as I will want to agree that finance/funds could
pose an obstacle to participation of majority of the youths in
active politics, we can as well prove it to the world that
money cannot buy our conscience and resolve to take our
rightful places in governance. Billions of Naira cannot
thumbprint ballot papers; it is the electorate that will
determine the outcome of any election. We can actually
make their corruptly acquired money to be useless in their
pockets if we uphold our newfound convictions. Citizens of
advanced democracies in the world cast their votes for
conscience and principles and that is the reason they are
better-off today.
I know it is easier said than done because our leaders have
made hunger and sufferings part of us so that they can easily
influence us with money to do their biddings but, if we
resolve to put a permanent stop to all these sufferings then,
we should be prepared and able to say ‘NO’ to their
manoeuvering. It is high time we shunned crimes and
negative manipulations of the youths by politicians and
leaders. Let us have sober reflections, and remember the
pre-independence era and appraise the activities of the
youths. Let us remember the like of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe,
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mallam Aminu Kano, Chief Anthony
Enahoro, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello,
Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Alvan Ikoku, Michael Imodu and Chief
S. L. Akintola to mention but a few. Looking at how these
selfless Nigerians labored, day and night, to ensure that the
country attained independence and how they suffered to
ensure its unity and stability, you will agree with me that if
they that they stuck out their necks to fight and lay the
foundation of their father’s land. Therefore, there is no
reasons whatsoever the youths should not come together to
sustain the legacies and even ameliorates the situation. Of
course, we can do it and that is what should be our
mindsets, going forward. Thus, all our efforts should be
focused on how we can positively contribute our quotas to
the development of the polity by desisting from crimes and
embracing constructive thinking and practices.
Inasmuch as this review placed so much emphasis on the
youths, it is not to say that they should isolate themselves
from older politicians. We can actually join forces with those
who are patriotic and show good intentions toward
alleviating the suffering of the masses. However, our voices
must be heard and our impacts must be felt in the day-to-
day running of the affairs that will positively affect our lives
and that of our dependants. What we are saying differently is
that we have the numerical advantage and should be able to
decide those to be voted into power on a one-man, one-vote
basis.
At this juncture, it is equally important to draw the attention
of the youths to the provisions in the country’s constitution,
which specified that the voting age is 18 years. In view of
this provision, youths below the voting age should wait for
the right time. Also, even if you are 18 years and above and
you have not been previously registered to participate,
please wait for the next opportunity to do so during the
update of voters register by INEC. Do not allow yourselves to
be used for electoral malpractices in any form. Posterity will
not forgive us if we partake in any way to derail our
democracy.
In conclusion, I am comfortably disposed to posit that if we
follow the aforementioned steps and advices, the era of
hunger, sufferings, violence, insecurity and other vices in our
society will gradually be rolled away. All well meaning
Nigerians should translate/transmit this message of goodwill
to the people through the easiest possible means and in the
languages that will be most suitably comprehended, because
sadly enough, most of our youths cannot read nor even afford
to buy newspapers.
will grow up to become leaders of tomorrow.’ Be that as it
may, there is no gain saying the fact that the youths, who
constitute the majority in the Nigerian polity, are,
unequivocally, the most important human resources in the
socio-political and economic development and or otherwise
of the country.
The upbringing we give to them will obviously determine the
ways they will steer the ship of the nation in the nearest
future. However, if we critically look at the above scenario,
you will agree with me that their contributions in the affairs of
our great country today will determine if there would still be
a country called Nigeria for them to take over its governance
tomorrow. In view of the aforementioned, there is every need
to give our youths the best teachings, trainings and other
societal benefits to make them responsible citizens.
Today, the situation in the country is worrisome because of
the rate of crimes and insecurity. This could be blamed on
the fact that majority of our youths are not gainfully
employed. As the saying goes, ‘an idle mind is the devil’s
workshop.’ As a result, there is an urgent expectation from
government to create jobs and put other developmental
programmes in place to drastically reduce the suffering of the
masses. Institutions of higher learning are producing
graduates every now and then, but, with the arbitrary age
limits and or work experience set as standard requirements
by majority of employers of labour, coupled with scarcity of
vacancies, it is obvious that a good number of our graduates
will never be employed in this generation. One will then
begin to wonder if it is reasonable for people to go to school,
in the first place. In a situation like this, what would you
expect from people in this category when they receive the
news of missing billions of dollars or when it is alleged that
some office holders are expending so much and engaging in
other extravagant ways of life? Thus, it is very pertinent for
our leaders to show more sense of responsibilities by
curbing these excesses and putting concrete programmes in
place to alleviate the suffering of the masses.
As it were, it is no longer news to say that the youths have
engaged themselves in various crimes and societal vices,
ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, ritual killings,
manufacturers and traders in innocent babies, street cultism,
bombing and maiming of innocent citizens, to mention but a
few. In whichever ways we look at the situation, it is obvious
that the youths are aggrieved and disgruntled because our
leaders have let them down. However, taking to crimes and
all other vices is not and can never be the solution. It is
based on this premise that I want to use this medium to
appeal to our youths to desist from evils because they would
rather compound the situation than solving them.
Nigerian youths should truly see themselves as leaders of
tomorrow because whatever we sow today is what we shall
reap tomorrow. Rather than engaging in all sorts of vices, we
should start thinking of what to contribute towards
rejuvenating our democracy and ensuring that the benefits
are felt by all and sundry. If we agree that the youths
constitute majority of the country’s population then, all is
well and good. It means that our destinies are in our hands. If
democracy is the government of the people, by the people
and for the people, it means, it is the government of the
majority of the electorate. So, why can’t we use our
numerical advantage to rights the wrongs? In view of the
above, I will enjoin the youths to shun all vices and come
together to decide our future. Let us start by participating
positively and actively in politics. Register your membership
with any political party of your choice, so that you will be
eligible to nominate and be nominated for elective positions.
Also, ensure that if you have attained the voting age, you
should register with INEC so that you can vote and be voted
for in future elections.
Unlike in the pasts, where most people vote just to make up
the numbers and or because of inducements from politicians,
we should all have it at the back of our minds that our votes
are our power that can make or break our future; so we must
use them wisely. Henceforth, voting should be based on
conscience, principles and concrete developmental
programmes that will assuage our sufferings. If we continue
to allow ourselves to be used for violence and other electoral
malpractices, then, our relevance ceases as soon as we are
paid for the dirty jobs. In this situation, it will be unjustifiable
if we turn back to complain of misrule by our leaders in the
events after. But, if we refused to yield to the advances of
corrupt minded and unpatriotic politicians and decide to take
our destinies in our hands by our positive and conscientious
participations then, the sky will be the limit for us in the
nearest future.
Inasmuch as I will want to agree that finance/funds could
pose an obstacle to participation of majority of the youths in
active politics, we can as well prove it to the world that
money cannot buy our conscience and resolve to take our
rightful places in governance. Billions of Naira cannot
thumbprint ballot papers; it is the electorate that will
determine the outcome of any election. We can actually
make their corruptly acquired money to be useless in their
pockets if we uphold our newfound convictions. Citizens of
advanced democracies in the world cast their votes for
conscience and principles and that is the reason they are
better-off today.
I know it is easier said than done because our leaders have
made hunger and sufferings part of us so that they can easily
influence us with money to do their biddings but, if we
resolve to put a permanent stop to all these sufferings then,
we should be prepared and able to say ‘NO’ to their
manoeuvering. It is high time we shunned crimes and
negative manipulations of the youths by politicians and
leaders. Let us have sober reflections, and remember the
pre-independence era and appraise the activities of the
youths. Let us remember the like of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe,
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mallam Aminu Kano, Chief Anthony
Enahoro, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello,
Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Alvan Ikoku, Michael Imodu and Chief
S. L. Akintola to mention but a few. Looking at how these
selfless Nigerians labored, day and night, to ensure that the
country attained independence and how they suffered to
ensure its unity and stability, you will agree with me that if
they that they stuck out their necks to fight and lay the
foundation of their father’s land. Therefore, there is no
reasons whatsoever the youths should not come together to
sustain the legacies and even ameliorates the situation. Of
course, we can do it and that is what should be our
mindsets, going forward. Thus, all our efforts should be
focused on how we can positively contribute our quotas to
the development of the polity by desisting from crimes and
embracing constructive thinking and practices.
Inasmuch as this review placed so much emphasis on the
youths, it is not to say that they should isolate themselves
from older politicians. We can actually join forces with those
who are patriotic and show good intentions toward
alleviating the suffering of the masses. However, our voices
must be heard and our impacts must be felt in the day-to-
day running of the affairs that will positively affect our lives
and that of our dependants. What we are saying differently is
that we have the numerical advantage and should be able to
decide those to be voted into power on a one-man, one-vote
basis.
At this juncture, it is equally important to draw the attention
of the youths to the provisions in the country’s constitution,
which specified that the voting age is 18 years. In view of
this provision, youths below the voting age should wait for
the right time. Also, even if you are 18 years and above and
you have not been previously registered to participate,
please wait for the next opportunity to do so during the
update of voters register by INEC. Do not allow yourselves to
be used for electoral malpractices in any form. Posterity will
not forgive us if we partake in any way to derail our
democracy.
In conclusion, I am comfortably disposed to posit that if we
follow the aforementioned steps and advices, the era of
hunger, sufferings, violence, insecurity and other vices in our
society will gradually be rolled away. All well meaning
Nigerians should translate/transmit this message of goodwill
to the people through the easiest possible means and in the
languages that will be most suitably comprehended, because
sadly enough, most of our youths cannot read nor even afford
to buy newspapers.
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