I got invited to the Young Emerging
Leaders Symposium at Ikogosi, Ekiti State which held from the 5th to 7th of
April, 2013. I was excited about being able to put faces to names of young and
emerging leaders I had read about who pleasantly surprised me like @Chude
@zebbook, @dolusegun, @gbengasesan, @tomisinajiboye, @chxta, @subomiplumptre,
@omojuwa, @olorisupagal @abangmercy @KathleenNdogomo, @KolaOyeneyin, @Otto_Orondaam, @ebuka,
@denrele_edun etc. So I packed my bags and joined the
boat. It was seriousness, fun, networking and all. I was also impressed by the
facilities at Ikogosi. The pool, gym, hot and cold spring were fabulous.
Although the resort has not been officially commissioned, it is definitely
worth a visit.
Nigeria is the largest oil producing
country in Africa and it is one of the poorest in the world. For a country
dubbed the giant of Africa, the level of corruption is unspeakable. While i
concede that Nigeria is not the only corrupt country in the world, I bet we can
all agree that the degree and the way it is blatantly displayed is disheartening. I used to be an eternal optimist until i fell off
the wagon. I remember posting a comment
on Atilola's blog on how the helplessness I feel is
killing my 'care' one cell at a time because Nigeria keeps breaking my heart
but who exactly is Nigeria? She's you and I and my neighbour, my boss, my friends and foes
alike. She is a reflection of every one of us. We live in
a country blessed daily with drama-worthy events. If it's not the President not
giving a "damn", it is Boko haram bombing innocents and making no apologies
or presidency pardoning criminals, or a seemingly untouchable thug declaring
that if the president doesn't get a 2nd term, there would be war or if he is
arrested, we can all say goodbye to Nigeria. How are we supposed to have
confidence in a system that keeps rubbing it in our faces that they can do
whatever and they will get away with it because our elasticity for endurance is
magical?
Yes we complain about the ills of
Nigeria and how "corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of our
society". We know too well all the problems with Nigeria from deplorable
roads, erratic electricity, poverty, poor educational and healthcare systems,
unemployment, poor infrastructural development, over dependence on imported
goods, ethnic and religious squabbles, poor maintenance culture, disregard for
human life and property. We've perfected the art of waxing lyrical about our
politicians who continue to embezzle and feed fat from the nation's
coffers without a modicum of accountability. We like to read the
news and verbally wrestle with each other on social media almost to
fisticuffs, endlessly criticizing everything without
offering help to that boy down the street who needs to cross the road or
lifting a finger to make anything better. However, there is something to be
said for the spirit of the Nigerian when s/he is determined. That anger, determination and zeal needs proper mentoring so we can channel the
positive energy into nation building.
I was impressed by the crop of young
people who were present at the event. The symposium was a true eye-opening
experience for me. Our voice is gradually being acknowledged as it
should be considering that the youth are 43% of the population. We are a majority. The “let the government worry about
everything” syndrome is gradually receding. We should all be enlightened about
our rights to demand accountability. You can't be living in a country and
you'll be passive citizens then complain that nothing works. We need to hold
our government accountable but while doing this, we need to contribute out
quota of support. I think everyone should be socially responsible. Constant small and gradual improvement, one
step, one seemingly insignificant act, can make the much needed
difference. We should be less greedy and selfish. Until we realise that it is
possible to sow seeds we are not likely to reap, Nigeria won't improve. We should support each other and share the same commitment to
making things possible in Nigeria. There is not going to be a miraculous
change, quick fixes or short cuts. It's a long road but we can get there.
We should equip ourselves with
accurate and relevant information. It is a debt we owe Nigeria. Learn about
the history and journey of Nigeria; what she has been through, where she's been
and where she's currently at. Even if the president doesn't "give a
damn", you need to care about your people, your future and the
future of your kids. Talking is good but acting is even better. If talking is
the only way you can help, that's fine. Spread the word and if you can
"do", perfect but don't leave it to chance. I used to avoid news
as a coping mechanism so I don't go sad from watching 10minutes of Nigerian news but it is imperative that we keep abreast. Not watching just leaves me in denial.
Don't delude yourself that you are
safe just because you aren't in the North and your family isn't
getting bombed. Your estates and high-to-the-sky walls are just facades. When
push comes to shove, you would be in trouble just like everyone else. All
you've laboured for will be in danger except of course you want to run out
of Nigeria but even if you run, how about your family? So while we're here, let's do something to help her. You don't even
have to reside in Nigeria to help. You can continue
to lend your support in whatever way you can. We need to vote for credible
people who have integrity and are competent devoid of ethnic
sentiments or nepotism. Lagos has people of other states holding political
offices and no, i'm not saying Lagos is the ideal but we can agree that it is
better than most states.
Do you
always expect something extra for doing your job? Do you give or take
bribes? Then start that change with you. Resolve to be better, do better,
expect better, act better. In whatever way you can contribute, do it. Be
involved, vote and be active. See what happened when we supported each other
with Occupy Nigeria? We can. If we all sit back and do nothing, expecting someone else
to do something, it is not going to happen. And no, you don't have to join
partisan politics to effect change. Only if you're interested, although you should be
interested. Do you know who your governor is? Deputy? Senator? Ward councilors?
Who are you going to hold accountable if you don't know who is representing
you? We should all be interested. If we pitch our
tent with people of like minds and spread the word thereby getting the
multiplier effect then we are on the right track. Yes, we will get tired, discouraged
and even weary but the relentless attitude that is almost innate in every
Nigerian is what we will continue to channel. Change starts from you and your
immediate environment. Be a mentor to those who look up to you. You are not too
young and the future is not far away. The future is here and now. Are you ready
to take the reins?
Yakubu Gowon is Nigeria's youngest
Head of State at the age of 32 and he was 33 when he led the country in the Civil
war. Anthony Enahoro became the editor of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s newspaper, the Southern Nigerian Defenderat the age of
21. Patrick Utomi was already a
senior Special Adviser to President Shehu Shagari at 26. Achebe was 28 when he
published Things Fall Apart. Chude Jideonwo, the co-founder and
Managing Partner of Red Media/The Future Project is 28. Otto
Orandaam, the slum2school Executive Director is 25 and they both
have numerous awards to their credit. Still think you are too young? There are
amazing platforms that you can be a part of. Check out Enough Is Enough Nigeria,
Slum2School,
20Million
Youths for 2015and follow them on Twitter and/or Facebook.
As John Quincy Adams aptly put it,
if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become
more, you are a leader. We must get involved, join the conversation and keep it
going. Let's do this. God bless Nigeria.
P.S: I read a lucid piece by Subomi
Plumptre also on thoughts from the symposium. You can check it out here.
P.P.S: I love Pink's Give Me a
Reason. Here's the video
