By M.A Barde and Shuaibu Shittu Lapai
Good Leadership is an art that is learned, and whose process is institutionalized. It is not a genital trait that is peculiar to any societal class. Intelligence and morality are hallmarks of a good leader. These make leaders to be selfless and visionary by conceptualizing the present and future need of the Nigerian society. It is a common practice that young Nigerians are distracted by youthful exorbitant; contrarily, it is a formative age bracket accompanied with vigour and strength for modelling of life and ambition to lift the society. Contemporary Nigerian youths believe that the privileged class has wreaked havoc on the commonwealth through endemic corruption. As such, Nigeria is horribly damaged, hence not fixable. However, i am optimistic that Nigeria will one day overcome these crises of leadership and, catch up with other giant nations of the World.
Let us briefly go down to memory lane. National values and pride are eroded in our life as a nation. In the stead of that, we are infatuated with alien values. For instance, our school syllabus does not adequately promote nationalistic and patriotic norms in the citizens. How many Nigerians would voluntarily die in defence of their country? In addition to that is deficient self-discipline and wild ambition for accumulation of wealth. This disposition triggers corruption and official brigandage. Honesty is no longer seen as pride and virtue because respect and recognition are attached to material possession and riches.
Again, students are brought up to view the country from narrow sense and parochial view where personal promotion is placed above collective good. It is saddening that society looks down on the capability of youths to be game changers in the realm of politics. In retrospect, however, Nigerian youths were active and patriotic leaders who contributed a lot to national development. Sir Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Gen. Murtala Rahmat Muhammad, Yakubu Gowon, among other Nigerian leaders were youths during their days in political limelight. By this, why can’t youths be afforded chance in contemporary Nigerian politics? It is a bad culture that the ruling elites keep circulating themselves in the corridors of power.
Those who ruled yesterday are still ruling today and would want to rule tomorrow. There is dire need for active participation of youths in politics through which desired change can be realized. A quality participation that is not limited to gaining immediate financial reward from desperate power brokers. We need to put to exhibit high sense of maturity and brilliance in public conduct and general political participation. A chance that we are ambitious of must be initiated, planned, and executed by us not from outside Nigeria. It is our fate that we must design and pursue by ourselves. It is a collective responsibility irrespective of religious, trial, regional and political affiliations. We must shift away from status quo by forging common front for societal transformation.
On the final note it is paramount to identify these youths with potential of statecraft to get prepared for piloting the affairs of this nation at all levels of governance in order to take Nigeria to greater height. I remember a wise saying by my teacher, Franz, “If you change the way you look at things; the things you look at change”. Similarly, if we change the way we select/appoint leaders, the way we are being led, change will surely come in few years to come. Youth involvement in politics is multi-dimensional: by being registered party members, by campaigning, voters’ mobilization and sensitization, activism, social criticism, among other aspects of participation. Youths should dominate these levels of participation with selfless intent of delivering good to larger political community.
Join we2geda movement to unite with like minds on the above view.
M.A Barde and Shuaibu Shittu Lapai can be reached at hicers84@gmail.com or sslapai@gmail.com
