Youth, let’s arise!

SIR: It is no longer news that Nigerian youths agitate for their rights with some in various parts of the country crying of being grossly marginalised, particularly by the older generation who form the bulk of the country’s leaders. General Yakubu Gowon was Head of State at age 28 with several ministers and governors in his cabinet then being within the age bracket of 27 and 35.

Today those in similar age bracket are at best leaders of youth movements or militant groups like the Oodua People’s Congress, Egbesu boys, Boko Haram, Arewa Consultative Forum, Bakassi boys, Ijaw youths etc. Those who are lucky among them could become political aides or special adviser on this or that to political office holders. A few exceptions to the rule are those extremely lucky to emerge as chief executives or directors of organisations as a result of pure luck or a sprinkle of godfatherism.

The youth of this generation must be awake from their age-old slumber. We need to take a cue from people like the former envoy of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, M.T. Mbu attained the position at 23 years of age. At 30, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ladoke Akintola were already leaders of their respective region.

The likes of Olusegun Obasanjo, Murtala Mohammed, and Yakubu Gowon were Heads of State in their 30s.Bola Ige, Lateef Jakande and others were not exception to the trajectory. The late Abraham Adesanya who died at 85 was already in the Western State Parliament in his 30s, having painstakingly studied the tempers of his generation. It was the norm then to attain one’s peak in either public or private businesses and endeavours before the age 40.

I had pondered several times what was responsible for our generational failure or how the older generation was able to utilize the opportunities available to them in achieving distinct feats. I concluded that the environment that nurtured their achievements was made inaccessible to the younger generation.

I am worried, deeply worried. Are you? Meanwhile, I urge fellow compatriots to project beyond limitations and erode their apathy to political activities and meander out of the cocoons they hibernating at the moment.
Tunde Eso, Political Scientist, President Fix Nigeria Group and originator of Youthocracy a new system of government.