Will Nigerian Youths Be Able To Lead The Nation?
Everyone knows how important it is to invest in young people for they are the future. But are Nigerian youths qualified and educated enough to lead the nation forward? Legit.ng guest writer Stanley Kalu tries to imagine what kind of leaders our youths will evolve into by asking some essential, complicated and not-so-pleasant questions.
"Times without number, I have asked myself what is to happen to Nigeria when present fathers of the nation join their ancestors and we, the youths, take their place. For we will rule this great nation of ours having the lessons taught by our fathers in mind.
"I call our generation the "half-baked" one because our education process was constantly interrupted by strikes. When the teachers' unions entered agreements with the authorities, we were stressed and rushed by our fathers to enter the next level of our studies. After going through this torture, what kind of leaders will we prove to be?
"Nigerians don't have corruption in their blood. Because it would have been possible for a doctor to make blood transfusion to replace all the "bad" blood. We have corruption in our bone marrow. That's why we can't enter any office in Nigeria without having to bribe someone. Even when you deny corrupt practices with all your might, people around you will eventually corrupt you.
"Our fathers have taught us to steal big money so that if we are caught we still could make use some. We know that children and families of corrupt Nigerian politicians and businessmen are outside this country. However, they've forgotten that they still have to work with us, plain non-privileged Nigerians. A new broom can sweep a room but the old one knows the room better. If we are meant to continue with corrupt practices, what will the future of Nigeria be like when we don't want to change?
"The Nigerian "youths of tomorrow" are poor and lazy. They still reside with their parents sagging their trousers. Our fathers have taught us that in this world, only the fittest survive. So, we allow the fittest to collect our money and share it among themselves without ever letting us see and experience constant electricity, refineries, world-class hospitals, etc. What will the future be like when it is hard now but even more hardships are coming?
"In his seventies, Chief Martin N. Elechi is still Governor of Ebonyi State. I used to think that we would be guided by our elders' advice. But since 1999, when Nigeria moved from military to democracy, the majority of those who were in the public offices are still there, refusing to let us the youth the right to participate in forming and ruling our country. What will the future of Nigeria be like when we don't have the experience to play politics?
"Our fathers have once given us armour to fight for our rights; they've collected it back through amnesty. Now, they have returned it back to us to kill for power in the name of Boko Haram. Chief Osita Emmanuel Okereke once said that the activities of Boko Haram is the handiwork of desperate politicians seeking power. What will the future of Nigeria when, despite all the treatment, the madman still shows signs of insanity?
Previously, other guest contributors have tried to identificate the roots of the problems Nigeria is currently facing, discussed the role, duties and importance of Nigerian Police Force, drummed support for President Goodluck Jonathan. Would you like to see your thoughts published by Legit.ng? Send in your articles and any questions you have to info@naij.com!
Source: Legit.ng
