The Old Must Give Way To The New
The mantra that youths are the leaders of tomorrow has become a reoccurring decimal in the political spectrum of the Nigerian society.
Although not much attention has been given to the development of Nigerian youths since our Independence from Britain, they have notwithstanding built reputable images and names for themselves both at home and abroad.
However, it is imperative to critically examine other contemporary nations of the world who beyond regarding their youths as the leaders of tomorrow have entrusted them with today's responsibilities to steer the affairs of the State.
If the present crops of youths are saddled with the responsibility of leadership today, can they surmount the enormous liabilities bequeathed to them by our father's generation putting in perspective the lack of leadership training that has eluded us for too long? In the following discourse, we shall consider some countries in the world who have saddled their youths with the burden of steering the affairs of their respective countries and how we must begin to chart a new course for the development of our youths in Nigeria.
United States President, Barack Obama won his country's presidential election in November 2008 at the age of 47.
A young leader who would have come close to Barack Obama's age in Nigeria was Donald Duke of Cross River State.
But for some zonal madness of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), he never got the chance to champion the affairs of the State.
Roosevelt Skerrit, the current Prime Minister of Dominica Republic was born on June 8, 1972.
He assumed that position in 2004 at the age of 32.
That was made possible because his country believed in him.
Our neigbouring country, Democratic Republic of Congo has taken the lead in Africa that the youths can be entrusted with challenging leadership positions.
Its current President, Joseph Kabila became the President of that country in January 2001 at the age of 30 after the assassination of his father.
Under his leadership, the country has witnessed a relatively stable economy and peace.
To further demonstrate his unique liberal style of leadership, he made history in 2006 when he won his country's presidential elections and became the first democratically elected leader since independence in 1960.
Prime Minister of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski assumed this responsibility in August 2006 at the age of 35.
Until his assumption of office, he served in his country's cabinet as Minister of Trade and later Finance.
Marcus Stephen, the President of Nauru assumed power in 2007 at the age of 38 after a vote of no confidence was passed on his predecessor, Ludwig Scotty.
A heavy weight lifter, Marcus Stephen has earned his countrymen's confidence in leadership which was hitherto erased.
David Cameron, current Prime Minister of Britain assumed power in 2010 at the age of 42.
He emerged Prime Minister after a vote deadlock that later saw his predecessor, Gordon Brown bow out of office.
Since he assumed office in May 2010, he has proven that youths could be entrusted with leadership positions.
Another sterling example is the President of the world's largest country, Russia, Dmitry Medvedev.
He assumed power in 2008 at the age of 43.
If Russia with her military and economic strengths could empower an erudite youth to pilot the affairs of the State, why is Nigeria adamant to follow suit and empower her youths with leadership positions in key sectors of the economy? Political corruption and high rate of unemployment are not recent phenomena that pervade the Nigerian State.
Late political sage, Obafemi Awolowo once raised a salient issue when he asserted that since ''independence, our governments have been a matter of few holding the cow for the strongest and most cunning to milk.
Under those circumstances everybody runs over everybody to make good at the expense of others''.
The abusive mismanagement of our oil revenue by former military dictators and civilian leaders has been the root cause of our present predicament.
High profile corruption cases have been swept under the carpet for years and this has given public office holders the effrontery to siphon government funds with impunity rest assured that they will not be prosecuted.
The effect of this is that, monies meant for capital projects like the building of strong infrastructure and development of economy that will in turn provide employment and source of living for young Nigerians have been neglected.
Corruption and unemployment are some of the banes on youth leadership development and empowerment.
More so, highly placed Nigerians have wrongly assumed that the youths are mere clots that can only serve in menial roles like personal assistants and scheduling flight arrangements for them.
Nigerian youths are not lazy neither are they lacking business skills; we are only bereft of empowerment and credible leaders that will serve as worthy role models.
Another worrisome insult lashed out at the youths is when tired and old fabrics (men) legislate or make suggestions and decisions about the future of the Nigerian youths.
How can you assume to understand the plights of the youths or make decisions for the future you do not belong to? This anomaly is a great insult on the integrity and senses of the Nigerian youths.
We must take our stance and chase out these old fabrics.
No problem anywhere in the world is insurmountable.
Lack of youth development in Nigeria and the assumed insurmountable unemployment palaver in Nigeria must henceforth take a centre stage in the scheme of things in this country.
President Goodluck Jonathan and other contestants for the Aso Rock seat must present a comprehensive manifesto on how to tackle unemployment in Nigeria and stop debating politics based on primordial affiliations and creed.
President Goodluck Jonathan must demonstrate his believe in the Nigerian youths by appointing them into key and challenging positions.
The youths are not only relevant during elections to be used as thugs.
Another deciding factor in the production of qualitative youths that will be saddled with the responsibility of leadership in the country is the quality of education they acquire particularly at the tertiary level.
At present, no Nigerian university is ranked among the best 500 in the world.
This is a sad position that must be challenged and the status quo changed by reviving the tertiary education system in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government through its Ministry of Education and National Universities' Commission (NUC) should invest in research and development.
Lecturers who do not meet certain standards should be sacked.
Change must come and President Goodluck Jonathan will write his name in gold if he revives the comatose education sector in Nigeria.
Those putting the future leadership thrust of this country on children of wealthy Nigerians who have sojourned abroad for educational pursuit should have a rethink.
They are like good seeds planted on a stony ground; they will amount to nothing.
Like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, erstwhile presidential aspirant of the PDP will say, '...
make good things happen' in Nigeria by empowering the Nigerian youths and wage a war on unemployment.
It's possible and we can make it happen.
Although not much attention has been given to the development of Nigerian youths since our Independence from Britain, they have notwithstanding built reputable images and names for themselves both at home and abroad.
However, it is imperative to critically examine other contemporary nations of the world who beyond regarding their youths as the leaders of tomorrow have entrusted them with today's responsibilities to steer the affairs of the State.
If the present crops of youths are saddled with the responsibility of leadership today, can they surmount the enormous liabilities bequeathed to them by our father's generation putting in perspective the lack of leadership training that has eluded us for too long? In the following discourse, we shall consider some countries in the world who have saddled their youths with the burden of steering the affairs of their respective countries and how we must begin to chart a new course for the development of our youths in Nigeria.
United States President, Barack Obama won his country's presidential election in November 2008 at the age of 47.
A young leader who would have come close to Barack Obama's age in Nigeria was Donald Duke of Cross River State.
But for some zonal madness of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), he never got the chance to champion the affairs of the State.
Roosevelt Skerrit, the current Prime Minister of Dominica Republic was born on June 8, 1972.
He assumed that position in 2004 at the age of 32.
That was made possible because his country believed in him.
Our neigbouring country, Democratic Republic of Congo has taken the lead in Africa that the youths can be entrusted with challenging leadership positions.
Its current President, Joseph Kabila became the President of that country in January 2001 at the age of 30 after the assassination of his father.
Under his leadership, the country has witnessed a relatively stable economy and peace.
To further demonstrate his unique liberal style of leadership, he made history in 2006 when he won his country's presidential elections and became the first democratically elected leader since independence in 1960.
Prime Minister of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski assumed this responsibility in August 2006 at the age of 35.
Until his assumption of office, he served in his country's cabinet as Minister of Trade and later Finance.
Marcus Stephen, the President of Nauru assumed power in 2007 at the age of 38 after a vote of no confidence was passed on his predecessor, Ludwig Scotty.
A heavy weight lifter, Marcus Stephen has earned his countrymen's confidence in leadership which was hitherto erased.
David Cameron, current Prime Minister of Britain assumed power in 2010 at the age of 42.
He emerged Prime Minister after a vote deadlock that later saw his predecessor, Gordon Brown bow out of office.
Since he assumed office in May 2010, he has proven that youths could be entrusted with leadership positions.
Another sterling example is the President of the world's largest country, Russia, Dmitry Medvedev.
He assumed power in 2008 at the age of 43.
If Russia with her military and economic strengths could empower an erudite youth to pilot the affairs of the State, why is Nigeria adamant to follow suit and empower her youths with leadership positions in key sectors of the economy? Political corruption and high rate of unemployment are not recent phenomena that pervade the Nigerian State.
Late political sage, Obafemi Awolowo once raised a salient issue when he asserted that since ''independence, our governments have been a matter of few holding the cow for the strongest and most cunning to milk.
Under those circumstances everybody runs over everybody to make good at the expense of others''.
The abusive mismanagement of our oil revenue by former military dictators and civilian leaders has been the root cause of our present predicament.
High profile corruption cases have been swept under the carpet for years and this has given public office holders the effrontery to siphon government funds with impunity rest assured that they will not be prosecuted.
The effect of this is that, monies meant for capital projects like the building of strong infrastructure and development of economy that will in turn provide employment and source of living for young Nigerians have been neglected.
Corruption and unemployment are some of the banes on youth leadership development and empowerment.
More so, highly placed Nigerians have wrongly assumed that the youths are mere clots that can only serve in menial roles like personal assistants and scheduling flight arrangements for them.
Nigerian youths are not lazy neither are they lacking business skills; we are only bereft of empowerment and credible leaders that will serve as worthy role models.
Another worrisome insult lashed out at the youths is when tired and old fabrics (men) legislate or make suggestions and decisions about the future of the Nigerian youths.
How can you assume to understand the plights of the youths or make decisions for the future you do not belong to? This anomaly is a great insult on the integrity and senses of the Nigerian youths.
We must take our stance and chase out these old fabrics.
No problem anywhere in the world is insurmountable.
Lack of youth development in Nigeria and the assumed insurmountable unemployment palaver in Nigeria must henceforth take a centre stage in the scheme of things in this country.
President Goodluck Jonathan and other contestants for the Aso Rock seat must present a comprehensive manifesto on how to tackle unemployment in Nigeria and stop debating politics based on primordial affiliations and creed.
President Goodluck Jonathan must demonstrate his believe in the Nigerian youths by appointing them into key and challenging positions.
The youths are not only relevant during elections to be used as thugs.
Another deciding factor in the production of qualitative youths that will be saddled with the responsibility of leadership in the country is the quality of education they acquire particularly at the tertiary level.
At present, no Nigerian university is ranked among the best 500 in the world.
This is a sad position that must be challenged and the status quo changed by reviving the tertiary education system in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government through its Ministry of Education and National Universities' Commission (NUC) should invest in research and development.
Lecturers who do not meet certain standards should be sacked.
Change must come and President Goodluck Jonathan will write his name in gold if he revives the comatose education sector in Nigeria.
Those putting the future leadership thrust of this country on children of wealthy Nigerians who have sojourned abroad for educational pursuit should have a rethink.
They are like good seeds planted on a stony ground; they will amount to nothing.
Like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, erstwhile presidential aspirant of the PDP will say, '...
make good things happen' in Nigeria by empowering the Nigerian youths and wage a war on unemployment.
It's possible and we can make it happen.
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