Picture credit: Tosin Emmanuel Ajibare Movement
One of the reasons why many people do not believe that youth leadership cannot work in Nigeria is because they have personally benefited from the age long corruption that our country had been bedeviled with.
From cheating in exams to forged results (in WAEC, GCE, etc), university admission runs to job racketeering, tax evasion to fake vehicle permits, illegal clearing and forwarding, illegal contract awards, fake age declarations, empty bill submissions, monopoly of scholarships opportunities, etc.
It is my opinion that those who are of the view that young people cannot take our country out of the current mess and take us forward are those who have benefited or has taken advantage of the gap of corruption in the country.
It is not about who is the head of the government, the reason those set of people do not believe is because they are part of the problem.
Many people got to where they are today because the system has allowed them to cut corners.
An old bottle cannot hold a new wine. These people are almost in the majority. Somehow, it will be difficult for them to aspire to a system in this country where they won't be able to cut corners. Even if they want to, their foundation is already in question.
When those who have managed to achieve all they had without any corrupt practice try to set a good precedent, the larger group of corrupt beneficiaries try very hard to silence them.
That's where we currently are in our country.
If somehow you have cheated in any exams, or use an undeserved preference to get your job or admission or contract or a scholarship, you should know that your actions must have meant that someone eligible have lost the same opportunity. And you are likely going to have a sense of entitlement such that you try to resist the claims of other persons who have attained the same feat without cutting corners like you. It is that simple! Your lack of belief is because your value system is not without pecks.
That's why someone like Prof. Sagay have said that youth leadership in Nigeria is doomed irresponsible. He thinks
the idea is shallow thinking and that Nigeria may regret having a youth president because 'they would be embarking on a dangerous journey if elected'. What dangerous journey!
Prof Sagay source
Anyway, I think his opinion stems out of an old age senility rather than amnesia : he must be reminded that his generation brought upon the youth the very much inadequate preparation he thought may have befallen our aspiring youth. And I think he should cover his face in shame.
Now, I agree that we must predispose our selection and support in the ongoing youth revolution to responsible leadership characters in people rather than just a generational shift in our leadership structure. I share the same believe with you but it is beyond that.
Fela Durotoye declared for presidency recently and Nigerians have been talking about competence, experience and what things he has not. I have had to (and still) answer many of such questions from young people about Tosin Ajibare who is contesting as governor in Ekiti_2018. So far, he's the only candidate ready for the election, the fate of the other guys (the so called big guns) still hang at their primaries.
Who has the experiences of our politicians epp?
We don't need the experiences of money looters, and ethnic bigots. The experience we need doesn't have to be in public offices. There are young women and men who have distinguished themselves in their areas of crafts and businesses. FD, Tosin Ajibare and some others and even you fall into this category than you even know! It's just that you have not decided to take up responsibility. This fire of responsibility is what the likes of FD, Tosin and myself are trying to kindle so that we can redirect our collective destiny as a country to the path of restoration and then prosperity.
I urge you to find your own voice. And not only that, pitch your tenth also with those other young ones who have always been the voice of the people.
"If you see a man that has found his voice and he's trying to give others their voice, that is the woman or man that is a leader, follow him!"
Here is me giving my voice.
NB: Please read my first paragraph again, if you happen to find yourself as a beneficiary of the ills pointed or similar ones then you should restitute. Those ills are the reasons why there is angst and frustration in the land. So you should know that you have been a part of the problem. You must purge yourself so that you can truly begin the work of re-positioning the country as a youth. Until then, you have no right to blame the system.
Thank you for reading my blog. Your comments and shares are very much welcomed and appreciated.
I am your friend, Victor Doobig @rotciv