‘It is time
for young bloods to be injected into the system...’ crept into my mind again.
These days its become a constant fixture.
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| 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.
You couldn't have said it any better Destiny. The young people nnef to direct their attention to taking back their countries for the good of this and future generations, rather than pulling each other down.
ReplyDeleteMy fear is that many of the young people in Liberia where I live who aspire for political office do so with the same intentions as those of the generation that has failed us: GREED.
Let's take back our countries for the sake of our children and theie children,down to the infinite generation.
A great piece
- Dan Maxwell Jr
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThanks Dan Maxwell Jr!
DeleteThe point you have raised in your comment is one of the biggest challenge of our rising stars:Pulling each other down. Truth be told, crabs have shown us that this way of live keeps everyone at the same pitiable position. They all stay small without progress. I trust that with advocacies and lending voice to improve the status-quo, even this will be addressed.
Greed is destructive. Like you pointed out about Liberia and I said in my post about Nigeria, it is no different. It appears a general African challenge that we need to deal with. No leader truly leads without selfless devotion to others. I am glad for people like you who hold the light of the true reflection of right actions.
Thank you for your perspective. I appreciate it.
Well said Destiny, but i truly believe if we(the youths) don't do something about this ugly situation, it might just be too late for us and the next generations to come.
ReplyDeleteThe issue with the Nigerian economy or system is that the old polticians are just there to accumulate and consume the entire wealth of the nation ( this isn't news any more, considering the recession state we find ourselve in now).
The issue was, is and will continue to be the menance our so called leaders have done to the country.
If the youths don't unite and stand for transparency and accountabiity and mostof all the inclusion of the youths into the executive, judiciary and legislative arms of Government, your constructive sugesstion will just receive accolades and as they say in the civil service "it will just die a natural death".
Nonetheless, kudos to you, at least i now know am not alone on this our terrible situation our county finds itself today.
Oh yes! I am all up for inclusion. Youth inclusion is vital for their role in leadership. I believe there is a lot to be done. We do not want this to be just a constructive suggestion but also a solution. If you and I do something in our our own place it will go a long way. Maybe if you left your name here I could contact you. Perhaps you could explicitly highlight what exactly in your perspective can be done. I will be glad to hear more of your thoughts on that. Thanks for your time.
Delete