Can Youths Truly Revamp Nigeria?
The passage of the Not-too young to run Bill into law by PMB was hailed as a laudable decision, where the ages for contesting for political offices were lowered to allow more youths into public office. However, some analysts believe youths are also part o
* Youths can truly revamp Nigeria only if we pay more attention to moral values. Moral values for students are missing in our educational curriculum. High crime rate amongst our youths is a reflection of poor moral values. Any society with strong moral values, its youths, tend to do better. - Mr. Austine Nwanya, Solid Mineral consultant, Abuja
* The need for young, energetic and visionary youth participation in Nigeria’s politics is long overdue. No doubt, so many youths have lost their psyche and could be worse than the current and previous leadership as a result of learning well from the old. But there are still so many others at home and in the Diaspora capable of turning our bad fortune into uncommon greatness which is what we need and deserve as a nation. We are tired of sleeping, crawling and backsliding. - Ms. Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State
* Nigeria is almost like a country where impunity is at the highest. If there is a perceived working mechanism which includes rule of law and stringent punishment for breaches of policies and constitutional rights, anyone can govern. The youths can revamp the economy if capable and innovative hands are placed there. If not, it will still be same recycling of unproductive processes. - Mr. Onwuegbuchi Osondu Smith, Gwagwalada, Abuja
* Age is not really a factor in providing good governance. Contrary to popular opinion, we have had young people in leadership positions across all levels in Nigeria, particularly during the military. How old were the average governors under the military rule. We’ve had a 31 yearold head of state before. If young Nigerians, jump queues, bypass electricity metres, cheat in exams, give and take bribes and support and participate in tribalism, nepotism and parochialism, then how would a crop of young people in governance be different from the old order? There is no distinction, the places of responsibility and leadership that the young people have been given opportunities to hold, particularly in public service are not different from the norm. The old order have bequeathed to the new generation a lust for materialism that cannot produce any meaningful change. Changing mindsets on an individual level can bring positive results; however, the system will require a larger number of changed mindsets in order to produce results. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State
* Leadership is not just about being youthful but the real you. Yes, we truly need to embrace genuine and selfless youth leadership efforts. It is time we tapped and used their vast, wasting but huge potentials to better Nigeria’s lot. The rule of law and truth must prevail. - Miss Apeji Patience, Badagry, Lagos State
* The future of our country lies with the youths. They have the capacity to revamp our economy if entrusted into leadership positions. There are lots of vibrant and morally-sound youth; what is needed is a re-orientation among them. The youths should be encouraged to shun money politics and focus on young guys with great ideas. The bane of our problems in Nigeria is the older politicians whose source of wealth is the state treasury. Hero-worshipping of older politicians should be shunned. - Mr. JohnKen Ogwuegbu, Owerri, Imo State
* The youths can revamp our country’s development and governance process if they choose to. Youth goes with energy, creativity and innovation etc. They have all it takes to help build a great nation. They are the vanguard for progressive change and constitutes about 60 per cent of the population. They are the great leaders of today and tomorrow. All they need to do is stop being deceived, used and dumped and be part of nation building as in other climes. As a fact, our youths can jump start Nigeria’s development and governance process in no time with sincerity of purpose, patriotic zeal and nationalistic spirit. God bless the youths; God bless Nigeria. - Mr. Odey Ochicha, Leadership Specialist, Abuja
* Yes, if supported by honest, God-fearing, trustworthy citizens, with an enabling environment created. After all, Nigeria once had a Head of State, when he was less than thirty years of age. He was supported by officers older than himself. Today, he is ranked ‘one of the best Head of States’ in the history of this nation, who shunned tribal, sectional, ethnic, religious, or corruption sentiments. - Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State
* I believe Nigerian youths can revamp this country if opportunities are given to them, because there are resources to make Nigeria great again. - Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State
* Although acts of juvenile delinquencies and youthful exuberances exhibited by some Nigerian youths have raised doubt on preparedness of youths to take over the mantle of leadership, the fact is that majority of them are hard-working, competent and digitally minded to take Nigeria to the next level. Those gerontocrats who have retarded Nigeria’s progress since independence must step aside to see the magic of governance from the youths. - Mr. Paul Jideofor, Dept of Languages, FCT COE, Zuba, Abuja
* Surely, youths can revamp Nigeria and her development process. All they need to do is make sure they contest vigorously for public office in 2019, do away from the bad examples they learnt from the old politicians, and apply their fresh brains and ideas to make this country a better place for all. - Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State
* Our youths can truly revamp Nigeria for they are intelligent, tolerant, full of energy, hard-working, and love without discrimination. They have respect for elders and are ready to share while accumulation is not in their agenda. Youths could have revolted against this country before now, and the passage of the Not too young to run Law by PMB is a laudable decision. But to succeed, the old selfish leaders must step aside. Youths must rise up and take their possessions. - Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna
* For statistical purposes, the UN defines youth as individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Nigerian youths can revamp her development and governance process, because they are energetic, intelligent, hard-working, with their socio-economic, demographic and geographical spread. They can make good laws and policies, provide social services, and strengthen young participation in providing the basic needs of the country, among others. - Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja