“NIGERIAN YOUTH: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES IN LEADERSHIP” BEING A PAPER DELIVERED BY CMR. FRIDAY BAKO AT PANKSHIN YOUTH CENTRE, PANKSHIN LGA, PLATEAU STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE BIRTHDAY OF MR. EBENEZER CHINAN ON DEMOCRACY DAY MONDAY 29TH MAY, 2017

Let me start by congratulating the celebrant of this great event, Mr. Ebenezer Chinan and wishing him happy birthday. May God bless you with good health, prosperity and His protection even as you prepare yourself for greater impacts and exploits in the future as you age gracefully and gloriously.

It is nice being home again. Permit me to say, Pankshin Local Government is my second home and i have witnessed the hospitable, civility, exposed, industrious, peaceful and progressive nature of the people here.

I wish to recognize the presence of the Chairman of this occasion, members of the high table, dignitaries, elders, elites, political appointees, elected representatives, civil servants, academia, youth leaders, association leaders, women leaders, former/present student leaders, youths, women, students, children and my fellow comrades who are here to celebrate and partake in this event which I may tag “birthday symposium and empowerment”

Ladies and gentlemen, happy democracy day to everyone here and all Nigerians.

I feel humbled, honored and at the same time elated to be among the discussants chosen today to speak on the topic “Nigerian Youth: Prospects and Challenges In Leadership” which to me is timely and wish to commend the celebrant for seeing this as the best way to celebrate his birthday. For those to be empowered today, my prayer is that you will justify the gesture of the celebrant through academic excellence
and I wish those present a happy listening time to the subject matter.

INTRODUCTION:

Youth contributes immensely to the National interest, unity, peace, harmony, progress, prosperity, growth and development. Their potentials when properly harnessed, have immeasurable and unimaginable impacts to any given society, nation and world at large. But when same potentials are negatively influenced or when the youth are negatively indoctrinated, they have the capacities, capabilities to hinder peace, unity, growth and development by springing up violence and insecurity which are inimical to national growth and development.

Therefore, for any Nation to progress, witness astronomical growth (social, economic and political) and compete favorably well with its contemporaries, there is deliberate and conscious need to invest credibly well in the youths who are always referred to as “leaders of tomorrow” through human capital development and sound policies that will build their capacities at an appreciable rate.

Investing in the youths will enhance their capacities and ensure there is no room for leadership vacuum at any point of our national existence.

All over the world, youths are regarded as the future leaders of the society. This is not a misplaced or wistful thinking as this class of energetic citizens posses enormous and multi-dimensional talents, powers and creative abilities which if adequately moulded and harnessed in a fit and proper atmosphere, can translate to generational wellbeing in the social, political and economic life of the society.

It is against this backdrop that nations, particularly those subscribing to democratic norms and values, evolve deliberate policy measures aimed at prioritizing genuine issues geared towards giving eloquent expression to youth development, self-actualization and repositioning for future leadership.

In Nigeria, the youths, particularly in the Pre-independence era and shortly thereafter, played formidable roles leading to monumental gains in politics economy, technology, commerce and industry just to mention a few which shaped Nigeria.

No reasonable society and government can jettison the critical roles played by the youths in any society as they are the engine room and forces behind most societal developments whether social, economic or political.

DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGIES:

* YOUTH: Youth in Nigeria includes all members of the Federal Republic of Nigeria aged 18-35.

* YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Youth development is a process that prepares a young person to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood and achieve his or her full potentials. This (Youth development) can be promoted through activities and experiences that help youth develop social, ethical, emotional, physical, spiritual and cognitive competencies.

* POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: (PYD) refers to intentional efforts of other youth, adults, communities, government and schools to provide opportunities for youth to enhance their interests, skills and abilities. Positive Youth Development differs from other approaches to youth in that it rejects an emphasis on trying to correct what is “wrong” with children’s behavior or development.

* SELF-DEVELOPMENT: This involved activities which a person does that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and facilitate employability, enhance quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations. It takes place over the course of a person’s entire life and not limited to self-help, the concept involves formal and informal activities for developing others in roles such as teacher, guide, counselor, manager, life coach or mentor. When it happens in the context of institutions, it refers to the methods, programs, tools, techniques and assessment systems that support human development at individual level in organization.

* SELF-ACTUALIZATION: The fulfillment of one’s talents and personalities especially considered as a drive or need present in everyone. It is the motivation to realize one’s own maximum potentials and possibilities.
The great philosopher, Abraham Maslow who created the psychological hierarchy of needs and theory of self-actualization said self-actualization represents growth of an individual towards fulfilling of the highest needs which through art may enhance the psychological well-being of the individual.

YOUTH PROSPECTS IN LEADERSHIP:

It was Albert Einstein who said “we can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”
Without mincing words and present mind shift of many youth in Nigeria, I am optimistic that greater leadership prospects exist for the youth; though with the way things are unfolding in Nigeria, there is need for fresh political thoughts as against the uninspiring climate of leadership fatigue being experienced in recent.

The followings has enhanced my optimism on youth prospects in leadership

1. EMMANUEL MACRON’S VICTORY: The victory of Emmanuel Macron to emerge as French’s President at age 39 has increased the optimism of many youths in Nigeria to their future prospects in leadership. This victory is a positive omen to the youth who have dreams of becoming elective leaders since they have the capacities, capabilities, technical know-how and competencies.

The recent victory of Emmanuel Macron has increased the drive, passion, enthusiasm, interest and optimisms of the youths towards leadership positively.

Nigerian Youth must borrow a leaf from what I termed “the Macronastic Disposition” of being relevant and taking the bull by the horns. The youth must take a stance on how they intend to see things being done in their nation.

They must start a campaign of “Nigeria First” just as the present French’s President, Emmanuel Macron did by making sure he push his campaign of seeing that the interest of France is placed above any parochial interest.
Emmanuel Macron, an Investment Banker, having served as a Senior Civil Servant, French’s Minister of Economy and Finance under the immediate past Francois Hollande’s government which he resigned in August, 2016 to form an independent party “En-Marche” meaning “on the move” under which he succeeded becoming the President of France in May, 2017 having the knowledge that the establishments and cabals in the existing political parties will break him and destroy his political ambition and dream of becoming French’s President.

2. Present engagements and sensitizations of the youth are no doubt increasing the optimism that the youth have brighter future leadership prospects in Nigeria and Africa at large which currently has the highest number of old persons ruling and occupying most sensitive positions globally. The passive attention of the youth to the working of politics and governance in Nigeria has drastically reduced as many have positioned themselves for leadership roles.

Gone are the days when youth thought they are only needed during the electoral process but relegated to the background during the governance process. Youth have started thinking of how they could use their numerical strength to their advantage. It is incumbent that any society that denies the youth their inclusive and participatory roles in governance does so at its peril. It is therefore imperative that opportunities are given to the youth in the machinery of government at all levels so they can contribute their capacities and invest their energies to nation building.

3. THE NOT-TO-YOUNG-TO-RUN:
This Bill has passed through second-reading and at Committee level is aimed at reducing the age demerits on the youth having ambitions and dreams of contesting elective positions but are unable to achieve such ambitions and dreams on account of the age ceiling pegged to elective offices.

The much talked about not-to-young-bill at the National Assembly, the assurances of the leaders of the National Assembly and the aggressive advocacy of the bill by well-meaning individuals are commendable and reassuring the youth of future prospects in leadership.

4. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES:
The rate of involvement of the youth in economic activities which in the past were mostly in the hands of older persons has significantly improved in recent times which in turn have reduced the rate of dependency.

Today, many youth have registered companies, they are engaged in contracts, other economic activities and doing credibly well despite the many daunting challenges.

There is increased knowledge in the youth to be engaged in meaningful economic activities that will improve their well-being and enhance their social, economic and political status/relevance.

YOUTH CHALLENGES IN LEADERSHIP:

The Nigerian Youths are socially, economically and politically amputated at many levels by the devious objectives of a clandestine government who has no plan for the growing population. At another end, they creates some of their problems as they directs their energies to unproductive ventures such as restiveness, hooliganism, cultism, stealing, electoral violence and kidnapping.

One of the burdens of the youths of this generation is the passive attention they pay to the workings of governance, economic theories, national income and budget system. The Nigerian youth is buried in sports and entertainment. He knows everything about the football clubs in the world and what they are worth financially but doesn’t understand the importance of the nation’s GDP. He is usually at a loss when he listens to the Minister of Finance reeling out tools for economic analysis. It is difficult for the average Nigerian youth to question their leaders because their knowledge of the working of government is shallow.
It is this failing that makes the youth easy tools for the political class to use. They use them for political thuggery and the females are constantly dragged in for sexual expeditions. It is truly a society that works against itself. The leaders whose responsibility is to protect the citizens have turned against the very ones they should care for. It is so because the youths have failed to question their leaders; they don’t have the courage to demand for justice.

The youths will remain subservient to their leaders as long as they remain dormant in the face of extreme social injustice.
This generation of youths wants instant wealth and it really doesn’t matter how they get it. They had gone to school with the belief that life will show them the side of fortune. Now they are out of school only to discover that there are 18 generations of unemployed graduates in Nigeria struggling for job placement.

The Nigerian political leaders have long hijacked the political terrain and locked it against the youths but the youths are still told they are the leaders of tomorrow. It is this deceit and delusional practice that has made the youths to lose hope in the system. The desperate ones take to crime; like taking a sword against a sea of trouble. The very contented ones find themselves deluded, gasping for breath under the weight of poverty. The state and federal government must collaborate to curb this social malady before it gets out of hand.

Globalization is a new historical reality that is propelled by knowledge and technological advancement.

The Challenges facing the Nigerian Youth in leadership and in a globalized world are highlighted below:

1. Grossly limited access to employment.

2. Lack of access to business support funds.

3. Lack of access to reliable health support.

4. Over exposure to negative western cultures.

5. Distanced from cherished cultural values.

6. Over exposure to the culture of greed and corruption.

7. Ethnicity and lack of National consciousness.

8. Insecurity, low self-esteem and uncertainly.

9. Poor mentorship.

10. Poor self-development.

11. Negative attitudes toward life, that is being pessimistic and one another.

12. Unhealthy Competition and rivalry among the Youths.

13. Poor and harsh government policies.

SOLUTIONS TO CHALLENGES:

Below are some solutions which when properly put in place can address the aforementioned problems

1. A DEFINED YOUTH AGENDA: There is an urgent need for a well-defined youth agenda that will articulate the voices of the youths as one and their future in a strategic manner, just as the agenda put in place when young and vibrant youths were pushing for Nigeria’s Independence.

An agenda that will address issues affecting the youths, strategies to be employed in addressing them and how such agenda could be religiously followed. Such agenda is timely.

For instance, apart from Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who was 42 years, most of the key players in the struggle for independence as well as subsequent actors in Nigerian statecraft were in their mid 30s when they assumed the mantle of leadership at various levels of governance.
Indeed, prominent leaders of the 60s, including chief Obafemi Awolowo aged 37, Samuel Ladoke Akintola 36, Ahmadu Bello 36, Alhaji Tafawe Balewa 34, Chief Festus Okotie-eboh 27, Chief Anthony Enahoro 27 among others who found the mantle of leadership entrusted to them at these youthful periods of their lives and that of the nation played remarkable roles in laying solid foundation for the nation before they were sent packing by the military junta.

2. Unity of purpose among the youths.

3. Purposeful and responsible living. Saying no to harmful drugs and violence.

4. Assisting one another.

5. Discarding sentiments, ethnicity, tribal, religious and political bigotry.

6. Living optimistic lives and being focused.

7. Being real and diligent in what we do.

8. Self-development and self-discipline.

9. Effective mentorship of younger ones.

10. Being industrious by discarding indolence.

11. Living lives of integrity, transparency, honesty and accountability.

12. Being morally upright.

13. Healthy Competitions among the youths.

14. Entrepreneurial development.

15. Having the fear of God.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSUON

Employment is the critical issue that must be tackled first. The youths must be gainfully employed to enable them get busy doing things that will enhance the image of the country.

Proper attention should be paid to the educational sector to bring about innovation in the system. No country can make any headway while its educational sector suffers setbacks of all sorts ranging from lack of funding to lack of qualified manpower.

There is, therefore, the urgent need for the family as the first socializing unit, the government, religious and opinion leaders, as well as various non-governmental organizations to work assiduously to inculcate in the youths the virtues of hard work, patriotism, exemplary leadership, in addition to creating the conducive atmosphere for the realization of the numerous potentials of the youth to enable them play the expected roles as future leaders. It is not too late to remove the encumbrances on the way to actualizing the Nigerian youths as future leaders.

It is only when we have the right legacy to bequeath as well as the youths with the right frame of mind, opportunities and conducive atmosphere and readiness to receive same and keep the flag flying that we can truly be said to understand the full import of leaders.

Lastly, the youths must read to expand their intellectual horizon, develop strategies and ideas. The energy channeled towards football information should be spread across bigger economic and national concerns for the purposes of getting a grasp of the workings and distribution of economic resources. If their knowledge is sharpened on the proper functioning of government and the dynamics of policy making, they can raise requisitions and criticize government intelligently when government policies contravene the laws of the land. We must develop the strategies to achieve economic justice and expand the aspiration of nationhood.

In conclusion, as a Youth Activist, I wish to state categorically that deliberate and conscious policies and programs should be put in place to ensure that youths are mentored, developed, empowered and their capacities built to achieve their full potentials at appreciable levels.

Thank you so very much for listening and remain blessed.

Cmr. Friday Bako
Youth Activist and Advocate for Good Governance

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Friday Bako on leadership, politics, youth development and nation building