Eminent Nigerians on Sunday night, called for a turning point in Nigeria leadership spearheaded by the youths. This was even as they noted with shock the overwhelming criminalities found among youths today.
This call was made at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, by former World Bank Vice-President, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Femi Falana (SAN) and pharmacist-turned politician, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, at the launch of Chude Jideonwo’s book, ‘Are We The Turning Point Generation?’
Ezekwesili, who chaired the event, insisted that the best form of leadership was one that understood and embraces sacrifice and service to the masses. While she noted that not every youth could possibly have the idea and ideals of bringing change in the country, she opined that there were few exceptional ones.
According to her, “Leadership is pretty tough, in an environment where it’s not seen as service but an opportunity to have a good life. In leadership however you give, and give to the people. It always takes a few numbers of people to bring in power, a new society. There’s always a progressive mind, that says let’s do something different!”
Also speaking in the same vein, Agbaje stressed that the youths must be able to resist the rot in the system that comes with leadership. He argued that people should not go into politics or leadership struggle because they hope to enrich themselves.
His words: “We’re talking about issue of character! Being able to resist temptation, corruption and being able to make sacrifices! This generation needs to ask themselves if they’re really ready to bring about change in our country.”
He said that most people vote because of what they hoped to get from the person they voted for, adding, “Our value system has not changed; it’s about what you need from me. And if you must bring about change, you must be ready to make sacrifice. You don’t have to be part of government because you want to make money or enrich yourself. It must be because you want to bring about change. When you’re in government, there are a lot of challenges that come to you, a lot of temptations that come your way. You must be able to say, no! The mistake of those that had fallen and gone, is that they fell into that trap. Is this new generation ready to say it’s no longer about mediocrity or self, but selfless leadership?”
Agbaje explained that the present socio-economic and insecurity problems facing the country today were results of the rot in governance.
“Yes, the rot in leadership is part of the cause of the present problem in the country. You can’t take it away! It’s mediocrity which had come over the years and we’re beginning to see it. I keep saying it, that by the time you have people, who are ready to commit suicide, it’s because there’s no hope! A man or woman, who decides that he or she wants to die, has lost hope of living. Over the years, there had been so much mediocrity in governance, right across the board. In terms of education, and in terms of hope for the people. When a person loses hope, he’s capable of anything!”
Falana opined that the struggle for a new Nigeria transcends age barrier, adding that there were very progressive old men and very reactionary young men and women. “It’s about positive progressive ideas. Ideas that can drag this country out of the woods,” he said. “What the young people should do is to take their destiny into their hands and chart a new course. Away from the corrupt tendencies of the old.”
He was however worried by the level criminalities associated with today’s youths, urging them to become patriotic and align themselves with progressive forces.
His words: “When you study the society critically, you get worried at the level of the criminality associated with the youths. Armed robbery, 419, yahooyahoo operation, kidnapping, terrorism and other associated crimes. The bulk of the youths get involved in these criminalities. But you must take out from that crowd, a few dedicated and patriotic youths. They have to align themselves with progressive forces, at home and abroad, irrespective of their ages. They should mobilise the people and get Nigeria to move along the line of egalitarism and rule of law. The resources of our country are enough to make poverty a history in our country.”
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