Re: Nigerian Youths Are Too Young To Run -By Ogungbile Oludotun

– Nigerian Youths Are NOT Too Young To Run -Adesanya-Davies

Dear Nigerian Youths: As I was reading through an article titled, “Nigerian youths are too young to run” -By Ogungbile Oludotun published on February 19, 2022 by Opinion Nigeria, I feel and write, to the contrary that, “Nigerian youths are NOT too young to run”, says Adesanya-Davies. The author stated with a useful definition that, “Evidently, one thing is clear about the youth category, the boundaries defining the transition from childhood to youth and from youth to adulthood are shifting and the crossover into each new stage is now manifested in different ways. True, the age range, 15-24, is often used by the United Nations and others for statistical purposes but, in many cases, this distinction is too narrow for countries like Nigeria, where youths at that category don’t even know about their future. May I add to modify that, the definition of youth in Nigeria thus ranges between 15-35 years.

Politically, in Nigeria, everybody is tired of the old people ruling the country but the fact remains no old politician is ready to leave the stage for the youth. For years the older generation has been in the saddle, enjoying the splendour and aura of power. However, the “Not Too Young To Run Bill” was signed into law by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). Among changes to the electoral law was that it has helped to reduce the age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35 and for House of Representatives candidates from 30 to 25 years.

As a result of the bill, there is a positive trend in youth participation in politics, with youth candidacy increasing from 21% in 2015 to 34.2% in the 2019 elections. Despite these changes, the number of youths aged 18–29 (based on the youth definition given by the National Youth Policy organisation), voted into elective positions in Nigeria is less than 1%. Imagine?

Today, there are no youths in the new cabinet formed by President Buhari neither is there any youth in the National Assembly. Hence, youths are asking the question: why is the Not Too Young to Rule law not being implemented? Why are they not included in the house of powers? It’s not far fetched—Is it that Nigerian youths are still too young to rule, far too young. Is it that our generation of youths are not capable of power yet, could it be that they are smart but they can’t handle the integrity of power? My answer is ‘Not Really.’

He exemplifies, that notably, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo first held the reins of power when he was in his 30s; Tafawa Balewa ruled Nigeria at 34; Okotie-Eboh and Enahoro emerged political leaders at 27; MT Mbu at 23; Muritala Muhammed at 28; Buhari at 24, among many others in their 20s and 30s. One thing must be noted about these generations of leaders, they were passionate about the emancipation of the people. They have a rounded political education, which inspired them. Can this be said of the present generation of youths? May I say , certainly, yes.

He revealed that, “for many years, particularly after the country’s return to democratic governance in 1999, youths were at best seen as supporters, social media ranters, mobilisers or political foot soldiers hired to instigate violence, manipulate elections and intimidate opposing parties. While this image is not completely the fault of the older generation, these groups enjoyed the idea of youths as political mercenaries rather than competitors. What a great observation!

Today, however, may I encourage Nigerian youths that, stakes are high and the expectations from the youths are getting higher and higher, but they definitely can cope by God’s grace, all they need is to strive the more. When youths get to the helm of power, for instance at the Students’ Union Government in higher institutions, which were established in various institutions of higher learning in Nigeria to influence school management’s policy, promote orderliness and smooth relationship between students and authorities; it’s expected that they have to perform wonderfully well in all ramifications exemplarily without any form of mal-admistration and embezzling funds, unlike the older generation and this they sure can with determination and godliness.

Again, it is said that the older generation of politicians are corrupt and not trustworthy, but this bandwagon effects must not be found or seen in our students and youths. They must not get to elective offices to recoup funds spent on campaigns— the pasting of posters, buying recharge cards for fellow students, etc.—a similar scenario to the stomach infrastructure in Nigerian politics. This is because Nigerian youths have learnt from the past generation who disappointed them are now ready to change the history and as such should demonstrate the capacity that they are capable and are not too young to rule!

The youths must ensure that they won’t be bad but improve on current leadership style, inspite of the modern age crimes, especially cybercrime, which is perpetrated through electronic communication networks. For youths to be true leaders, they must not engage in various types of such cybercrime of this age at any age. They must be exemplary Nigerian youths that are doing well in all disciplines.

The youths must emulate older Nigerian leaders who were smarter, possessed quality vision and better in government in the past generation and detest those who were undesirable. So also must they emulate other successful youths in their own generation. Nigerian youths are not lazy, take for instance the UNDER-30 AFRICAN GAME CHANGERS published by AKINWALE AKINYOADE on 11 August 2019, when ‘Forbes Africa’ released it’s 30 Africans Under 30 annual list and it was no surprise that, Nigerians youths were there putting the country on the global map as they made the list.

Everyone has dreams but not many remain steadfast until they see it come to fruition. Burning with the desire for change and unsatisfied with the state of affairs, some of Nigeria’s finest trailblazers are redefining what business means and changing the lives of many while at it. These game-changers are using technology and their entrepreneurial skills to change the African narrative. The Guardian Life takes a look at the profile of ten (10) young Nigerian game-changers, which are hereby summarised:

AKOMOLAFE HENRICH BANKOLE
At the tender age of eight, Henrich was introduced into the world of business by co-founding a company with his father where he still serves on the board of directors till date. A graduate of Computer Engineering from the Kharkiv National University of Radioelectronics, he obtained a Masters degree in Information Technology Strategic Management from Barcelona School of Management (BSM) – Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Spain. He also acquired both engineering and commercial experience in 2016 from MP Ascensores Sevilla, Spain where he served as an intern.

UKA EJE
Agriculture has always been in the heart of Uka Eje. It is, therefore, not a surprise that fresh out of school, the Benue-born entrepreneur used the first four years of his entrepreneurial journey capturing value for smallholder farmers.

CHARLES EDOSANWAN
At the age of 25, Charles Edosanwan, a graduate of Computer Engineering from Covenant University started Nigeria’s first technology PR firm in Nigeria, Teksight Edge Ltd. Teksight was founded with the aim of creating a business that will manage clients’ brands and make them more effective based on data analysis from the market and their customers to proffer solutions that will be efficient and cost-effective.

DAMILOLA OLOKESUSI
With a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, 29-year-old Damilola Olokesusi is the co-founder and CEO of a transport and tech company, Shuttlers.

CHINEDU AZODOH
Chinedu Azodoh is the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at MAX, a technology company building the infrastructure for last-mile mobility in Africa. He has always had a passion to change the African experience and his start-up, MAX. MAX is on a mission to make 2 and 3-wheel mobility safe, accessible and affordable to one billion Africans. Azodoh and his co-founder, Adetayo Bamiro, came up with the idea for the company as part of an assignment while studying at MIT Sloan School in Massachusetts.

BRIGHT JAJA
A social entrepreneur, branding expert, filmmaker, motivational speaker and youth leader with a staunch belief in the abilities and chances of Africa, Bright Jaja began his journey in 2012 when he established an NGO called Redance Africa. This NGO later became a strong movement resounding towards inspiring young people, in general, to develop whatever skills they have with pride and dignity.

ADENIYI OMOTAYO
Adeniyi Omotayo is the founder and MD/CEO of the Betensured Group, a sports prediction service. The 29-year-old Metallurgical and Materials Engineering graduate from the University of Lagos is from a family of lawyers.

ADETOLA NOLA
Adetola Nola is the founder of Veritasi Homes, a real estate company that provides marketing, advisory and developmental services across the entire real estate value chain in Nigeria.

BARBRA OKEREKE
A graduate of Electrical Electronics Engineering from Anambra state University and armed with an MBA in Oil and Gas Management from the Coventry University, London, Barbara Okereke became a cake designer by accident.

CHIKA MADUBUKO
Chika Madubuko is a business professional, bioengineer, entrepreneur and a job creation advocate. Madubuko has an MSc Biotechnology and Bioengineering from the University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.

In conclusion, as such, responsible Nigerian youths should not continue to rant on Twitter, the smart one amongst them should not sit at home and continue to criticise Buhari, rather, they should actively participate in the real politics because Nigerian youths need not another 40 years in the wilderness before they would know that they are ready to rule Nigeria. It’s high time for Nigerian youths to rise and shine in 2023 politically. It’s time for the implementation of the “Not Too Young To Run Bill” which was signed into law by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) by the Nigerian youths themselves in practical terms.

The writer, Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya- Davies, the Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA) Presidential Candidate in 2019 is now a presidential aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for 2023 presidential election. We would recall that towards 2019 elections, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had endorsed my Presidential candidacy on the 8th day of June, in Port Harcourt and at the same event, I was awarshed with an Award of Excellence in Service and Outstanding leadership; with the inscription on the plaque “In recognition of her consistency, steadfastness, developmental strides, motherly disposition and mentorship towards the students community and society at large.” I once again say thank you to the Youths and Students community as I continue to enjoy their unalloyed and massive support. At the same event I was endorsed for the Presidency by the Niger Students Union Government, National (NSUG) I also serve as their matron.

My other endorsements: The N-POWER GROUP (U WIN, I WIN) against 2023 Presidential election, has endorsed me on Wednesday January 5, 2022, at a courtesy call in Port Harcourt has endorsed me a viable presidential candidate. And I did accepted their nomination encouraging them to continue with their campaigns on my behalf. It is an association initiated by, and made up of Nigerian daring Youths in the 36 States of the country. They are already drawing participants from LGA to LGA, state to state and the entire country towards the 2023 elections.

In an earlier development, another political pressure group and accountability vanguard known as Democratic Watch for Good Governance in Nigeria (DWGGN) in what they called “PMA FOR RESCUE 2023” has similarly called on me to occupy the seat of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023.” The call was made at the council’s office in Port Harcourt during its quarterly meeting. The group opined that the country is in total shambles and needed urgent remedial intervention.

May I conclude again that I have a dream, that one day, a woman will emerge as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the dream is now! This is because, if Nigerians elect a female president, it will be a turning point in the nation’s history. It will also be an honour to have Nigeria’s first female president. If Nigeria can give women a chance to rule, I am sure we will never regret it.

AGAIN, I HAVE A DREAM, THAT ONE DAY, I WILL EMERGE AS THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AND THE DREAM IS NOW !!!