There are others who look up to an aged saviour on a broom to wipe out the dirt piled up over the years, and if he doesn’t deliver, we have unlimited patience to wait for the next old messiah rather than do something about it, things had to change quickly with Godspeed, we need a younger vibrant set of saviours to lead and sweep off the mess in our land. It is also painful how much we also misplace history here in Africa, Gowon remains the youngest ever country head in the world, he was our head of state at age 30, not the Macron who became French leader at 35, history prove Gowon as the best President Nigeria ever had, well that’s not what I wanted you to know sha. Youth Next! it has been passed the Senate had passed the #NotTooYoungToRun bill. Till today it baffles me, why would our constitution approve me matured at 18 years old and tell me to wait till 40 years old before contesting for any political position, it was a sad story which had just been changed.
kudos to the Youth Next group which pushed hard enough to get this done, it proves that Only an enlightened citizenship can pave the way for an enlightened leadership. Therefore, it’s no use forever blaming the old political class. While Governments at large have to be accountable, responsible and answerable and also checkmate constitution provisions working against momentum, it is the citizens who will have to take the lead. After all, democracy is not just for the people and by the people but also of the people. Children are virtually taught from their cradle that they only have rights and they should only demand. They have no duties to their fellow citizens, their local communities, their Governments and the country, it is so sad, I am happy to see youths take on their duty to make Nigeria great. Keeping mute against failed law made with decree contributed to the mess the country today finds itself in, not much has changed even in real life, not to talk of reel life. Rather than joining hands to collectively combat societal problems, we see everyone pinning their hopes on some individuals to clean up the augean stables. The youth are rising, it’s time to run, it’s time to get on the race to lead. When any political party talks about a vision for the nation, it should not just be about roads, infrastructure, industrial growth or agricultural productivity. It also has to be about the intellectual and spiritual growth of the nation. The manifold problems of the country cannot be solved single handedly by any Government. It has to be a power-people partnership model.
We are increasingly becoming a nation of worshipers though intrinsically we continue to admire simplicity. In this country even today, very old rich businessmen and politicians are worshiped when they become Jain saints and forsake even their clothes, people get elected even when they pretend to be simple and genuine and successful films still portray the rich and powerful as villains. Therein lies the hope. It is time character-building organisations, educational institutions and Governments join hands to nurture enlightened citizenship among the new generation, amongst the youth. It is time value education is inculcated not only in schools but also at homes. Citizenship training has to be an integral part of the educational curricula of any mature democracy, right from kindergarten.
Only an enlightened citizenship can pave the way for an enlightened leadership, the difference between there and here is the ( t) which stands for time, oh ye youths. It’s our time… big shout out to Moremi Ojudu and all members of Youth Next, Omojuwa and Ohemai, Chude jideonwon and all Nigerian youth who clamoured for this constitutional change.. #Changeishere.
Micheal A. Adeniyi
@9jaclicktivist
http://www.opinionnigeria.com/nottooyoungtorun-youthful-race-against-time-run-by-micheal-a-adeniyi/#sthash.jhBUUIqF.wCOFnT3K.dpbs