Opinion: My fellow Nigerian youth, it’s time to get involved

by Cornel Osigwe

youths

For example. Jesus Christ made the greatest impact that changed the world as a youth between the ages of 30-33 years Napoleon Bonaparte led the world as a youth

Happy New Year My Fellow Nigerian Youth

Does it ever worry you that history which neither personal wealth or power can pre-empt will pass terrible judgment on us and proclaim anathema on our names after we have accomplished our betrayal and have passed on.
We have lost the 20th century; are we bent on seeing that our children loose the 21st-
Chinua Achebe.

For many months now I have been thinking of a unique way to reach out to my fellow youths.

Today I feel compelled to use the open letter medium to do so. I do not know whether you all are burdened and disturbed about the state of affairs in our country. If you are not then you need to check yourself.

We are in a defining moments in the history of our Nation. 2015 politics may make or mar our Nationhood. The world is watching what will become of Nigeria either before or after the elections.

From intelligence reports gathered so far, majority of foreign investors are willing to invest in Nigeria but are waiting after 2015 elections to be sure of the continuous existence of Nigeria. Earlier on, the US has predicted that Nigeria is likely to break-up by 2015. Recently, Nigeria has been named among the MINT Nations- countries that could become the next Economic super-powers, which includes Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey. According to the report, Nigeria can turn out to be the most productive nation in the next 30 years, if only it would still be one nation within the next four years because of its present challenges.

It is now obvious that Things are no longer at ease in Nigeria, Things have fallen apart and the center cannot hold any longer.

I have watched with dismay the way our fathers and elders are trying to resolve our differences, difficulties and challenges, I have come to the conclusion that they too don’t have the solution for a better Nigeria.

For example, One major issue that has been rising tension in our country today is the 2015 elections. The rumored 2nd term ambition of Good luck Jonathan has brought great divisions in the PDP ruling party to the extent that 5 of its governors and 37 members of House of Reps members elected on its platform has decamped to the opposition party. When the ACN, CPC and ANPP merged to form APC I saw it as a welcomed development. I saw the party as an alternative to PDP, alternative in the sense that voters who are not satisfied with the leadership of PDP will have a better option and alternative in APC. I have expected APC to ring out its manifestos, to tell us the programs they have for us especially the youth. But recent events and developments has shown that APC is not the alternative we have been waiting for but a party that have been arranged for power to come back to the North and to make sure GEJ does not return to power in 2015. To me all these are selfish and not national interest.

Over 50 years ago when it became evident that the colonial government doesn’t serve our interest anymore but their own interest, it was the youth who rose up to fight and at last Nigeria became an independent Nation.
I have studied the history and developments of developed nations and it has been the youth that has brought changes that led to their renaissance.

For example. Jesus Christ made the greatest impact that changed the world as a youth between the ages of 30-33 years
Napoleon Bonaparte led the world as a youth

Nelson Mandela started the fight against apartheid as a youth Martin Luther King Jr started the fight for the emancipation of the black race as a youth Nnamdi Azikiwe wrote Renaissance Africa at the age of 26yrs J F Kennedy started making impact in American politics as a youth.

The Egyptian (Arab) Spring was engineered by a youth. I can go on and on to mention youths that have changed the world and their governments but time and space won’t permit me.

Where are the Nigerian youth?
Where lies the destiny of the Nigeria Youth?

The British council of Nigeria stated that by 2030 that youth and not oil will be Nigeria greatest resources. It is time we take our destinies in our hands.

The Leaders of PDP eg, Bamanga Tukur, Tony Annenih, OBJ, Atiku, Ekwueme and many others have all passed the youthful and productive stage of their lives. Likewise the Leaders of APC eg, Akande, Tinubu, Buhari, Onu and others have all passed the youthful and productive stage of their lives.

Is it not time we the youth decided who will lead us
Is it not time we the youth demanded accountability from our political leaders

Is it not time we the youth started thinking of how to get engaged politically in the affairs of Nigeria

Is it not time we the youth stopped allowing ourselves to be used as a tool in destabilizing our country
Is it not time we the youth really got involved in the politics of 2015

My fellow Nigeria youth as we make our New year resolutions, let us also resolve to get involved in the political affairs of Nigeria.

Personally I have resolved to play a role towards the politics of 2015 because my destiny and the destiny of my children lie within it.
Let’s all make haste while the sun shines before it is too late.
A word is enough for the wise.
A New Nigeria Is Possible

 

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

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