"Are the youths prepared for
leadership?".
The Attitude of Nigeria Youth:
I understand that the youths of Nigeria like their
African counterpart are seriously challenged
economically. I understand that we are faced
with the thought of "when are we taking over?"
But looking at the nigerian youth, you will see
one that is ready to stake his life and intellect to
butt-lick and defend failed politicians with hope
that the 'politicians' enroll them into their payroll
and/or make them unofficial PA. The youths are
scattered on social media from twitter, facebook,
Nairaland etc and even on the street with
readiness to be eternal stooge for politicians. Is
it not a Nigerian youth that carries placard in
protest against prosecutors and to show support
to politicians that have been indicted for crimes?
Which other part of the world can one find such?
Our Youths Have No Zeal To Lead:
The youths keep saying 'give us a chance' but
have they shown willingness and zeal to lead?
How many of our youths are members of
political parties? How many are thinking of
picking party forms to vie for political offices?
The minimum age to run for Local government
chairman, Federal House of Representatives and
State House of Assembly offices is 30, For
Senate and Office of the Governor, the minimum
age is 35. How many of our 30-40years old have
shown the zeal and passion to run for these
offices? How many have shown the zeal to run
for their Local Government Chairmanship
elections? How many youths within the 25 and
35 age bracket are passionate about
representing their wards as councillors? How
then can there be power shift when there is no
zeal to lead? Does power come on a platter of
gold?
May I remind the youths that Bola Tinubu first
ran for Senate(and won) at the age of 40? Rabiu
Kwankwaso was first elected Member/Deputy
Speaker of House of Representative in 1992 at
the age of 36. Ayo Fayose was 43years when he
ran for Governor against an incumbent and PDP
elite in 2003. At 37, Owelle Rochas Okorocha
first ran for Governor of Imo state in 1999(he
lost). At 41 he vied for the Presidency in
2003(he lost). He was however appointed
Special Adviser to President Obasanjo. At 35
Musliu Obanikoro was the NRC Caretaker
Chairman for Surulere Local Government. All
these men started WITHOUT a godfather. They
however showed the zeal to lead, today they are
moving from one office to another.
Our Youths Must Wake Up:
Leadership comes with responsibilities. I am not
a fan of 'gifting' people with political offices, but
instead I believe in supporting young visionaries
for political offices. For young people to lead,
they have to join/support political parties of
choice. They must intelligently contribute to
party growth, show willingness and readiness to
lead, and pick forms for elective offices. Don't be
discouraged whether you win or lose the election
because the zeal will prepare and position you
for other positions (appointments) that usually
comes AFTER every election. If appointment
didn't come, the next for years will definitely
provide another opportunity to vie for elective/
appointive position. Who says a youth cannot be
the a national officer of his party(apart from
youth leader)?
Finally, leadership is not a gift, it must be
earned. If the youths really want generational
shift, they must show willingness to lead. As at
now, the youths are just not prepared for
leadership.
May God Bless Us All
JOIN US IN THIS GREAT MOVEMENT "THE ALL NIGERIA YOUTH MOVEMENT"
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