‘It is time
for young bloods to be injected into the system...’ crept into my mind again.
These days its become a constant fixture.
Photo credit: Kamal Hafkas Kassim |
I am
currently watching the Nigerian Television Authority(NTA) Network News and I'm
wondering why we still have Oga Cyril Stober still reading the news after the
much popularized retirement (and let me state that I do not have a grudge with
him ). However it baffles me to even consider the question: Does it mean that NTA
can not find younger broadcasters who can do the job well?...
...so
someone just told me he is now on contract since 'they just could not let him
go' and it gets me started:
Why do we
have the syndrome of older generations holding tight to power? Whether in
politics, business, leadership, even in the media in Nigeria; In Africa?
I am not
saying we should do away with brains and experts. No! I am saying that they
have a place in mentorship and programming. The old should give way for the
new. The aged should allow the youths to take their rightful place and not hold
tenaciously to places they have long outgrown.
Honestly I
am tired of seeing this cycle driven by greed and unnecessary thirst for power
playing out over and over again. It is the same reason we have (with all due
respect) a 74 year old man as our president ruining the economy and watching
old politicians who came into power over 30, 40 decades ago still parading
themselves on national television as our leaders and edging out youths. It is
the same reason we are talking about the sale of our national assets in the
first place. Because they would rather enslave the future generation and enrich
themselves temporarily as long as they do not live to see the repercussions of
their evil actions when nemesis finally catches up in future to wreak havoc on
innocent young ones - They are the Biblical typologies of King Hezekiah who when he was sick towards death prayed
that God should lengthen his days and reminded him of his good works (Isaiah 38).
As soon as
his days were increased by 15 years he went on a show off spree of all the
treasures of his kingdom. According to him "There is nothing among my
treasures that I did not show them" (Read: there is nothing that we have
that I did not sell). It was at this point that God foretold him that
"Behold , the days are coming when all that is in your house and what your
fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing
shall be left"
He told him
of how his sons who will descend from him, whom he would beget will be carried
off to slavery because of his singular act. And guess what? - the man who did
not want to die and was a recipient of
mercy like our leaders today simply said :"The word
of the Lord which you have spoken is good!", "At least there
will be peace and truth in my days". Isaiah 39 vs 8.
It is not
different from what we see in Nigeria today and many Africa nations. Old men
selling the futures of their youths and enjoying the temporarily luxury of the
now; without strategic planning for
their successors and future generations. This to me is the terrible lot that
has befallen the Nigerian youths today; It is the terrible lot that has
befallen also the African youths today.
Some days
ago, the former Governor of Anambra state - Peter Obi on a youth summit set the
Internet on fire when he said: "To you young people, Take Back your
Country...it is your future they are toying with". "I beg you to
participate more in politics, the society we help them abuse today will take
its revenge tomorrow". Of course he said a lot, that our typical Hezekiah
leaders would never wish to accept.
So as I sit
here, I wonder how many of us are ready. How many of us youths have been armed
for our responsibilities. As for me, I am. It is time for youths to step up
their games. No more playing small. No more looking into the horizon. No more holidaying with immaturity, fear, and
the silence of huge consequences. It is time for youths to take over not by
words but by actions. Not without respect for elders or violence but by a
servitude that says to them “I’ve got your back. Sit back and relax; I’ve got
this! ”
@Zestydestiny on Twitter
Please share your thoughts with me.
@Zestydestiny on Twitter
Please share your thoughts with me.