Last week I stoked a debate whether the youth of Nigeria are jubilating over the #NOTTOOYOUNGTORUN bill too early. This week, we shall look deeper at some issues.
It’s not about the age. Youths have always been involved
There is a psychology that needs to be explored here. Perhaps a higher percentage of young Nigerians got involved in the political process decades ago than they do now. Why? The Nigerian youth have become less patriotic and less Nigerian. And more distracted, not only by existential issues, but by things like gadgets, the internet and the whole information overload. But if they open their eyes they will see the challenges around them which only they can solve, and for their own good. Those of them who have lived abroad may now attest to the fact that Nigeria – being our original country – presents the best chance for us to live fulfilled lives as we get involved in solving a tough puzzle. But we have to recognize that opportunity.
The young people of Nigeria should know that nation-building through the political process goes beyond social-media influence. It does not demand as much money as it demands thinking. And integrity must be 100% if this country is to forge ahead.
The issue may not even be about age, as young people have always got into positions in Nigeria. In 1999 perhaps 40% of political office holders were under 40 years. What became of that? The problem is that the same guys NEVER left politics and are today squeezing their own children into politics wherever they can. Nigeria’s economically disenfranchised youth must think! And while at it, they should understand that the urgency of now precludes them from disenfranchising themselves politically. I tell my youthful audiences that this universal right to vote is something great men like Martin Luther King Jnr, and Nelson Mandela lived and died for, and so they must understand the enormity of the right they possess.
So, an important consideration here is that when people get into politics in Nigeria, they hardly ever leave. Many get in young, and stay in till they die. Perhaps the African DNA loves the connections and the power. What is obvious now is that many Nigerian politicians are creating dynasties. Are the poor youths of Nigeria just being a tool in the hands of these politicians?
We overdo everything
As I concluded this article, I went to the barber and on leaving, entered a provisions shop. I saw an interesting primary school notebook and took a picture. It was a notebook shared out by a student of a posh private primary/secondary school in Abuja who was ‘contesting’ to be chief whip of the school SUG. I didn’t know private schools now have Student Union Governments. While some Nigerians are saying they are excluded from the political process, we have already indoctrinated our children into the funny politics of our time. Why on earth are little children bribing their ways into ‘political’ positions? Is this not how politics of ‘gifts’ graduate into politics of ‘garri and groundnut’ and little bags of rice? Are we not wiring these little ones to know that politics is entirely about manipulation? If a child’s parent cannot afford to buy exercise books for students (voters), will such a child win an election? What are these students selling to their fellow students? Will some parents not also go further by buying gifts for the teachers who will oversee the elections? So, again we are overdoing politics already, as we usually do in Nigeria. Some say that is the way it must be; that politics is about manipulation, gerrymandering and horse-trading. I say we are good at politics, no doubt, but what we don’t have a clue of, is nation-building.
What the youth should work on
Finally, the under 35s should work on their maturity. Again 17 is the new 40, so it is not too early for them to aspire to lead their country. However, leadership takes a whole lot more than passion. Sometimes, unbridled passion can be destructive. Recall that PASSION IS THE SIN OF YOUTH. So, leadership takes balance. It takes emotional intelligence. It takes at least some experience. And yes, a bit of money will help. We have young people who are busy wishful-thinking all over the country. They tell how they’ve never worked before because the country has been unfair, and how they’ve never tried to do business as well. Then they start to nurse this huge political ambition, believing that politics will be their route to endless money and fame. Without being able to print a few posters yourself, and also going hungry, I don’t see how you can play politics except you sell your soul to some devil. And there are many devils around. Let us figure out exactly what we want to achieve with this bill, otherwise the sponsors will talk of regret at a future date.
While I commend the bill, and see that it has a 60% advantage for the country and its youth, over the 40% disadvantage, I will urge the youth to also put up a fight for better fiscal responsibility, for Nigeria’s commonwealth to be better used so that they can find jobs (not everyone will become an entrepreneur), and so that when they start businesses people will have money to buy goods and services from them. The majority of Nigerians are still excluded from the larger economy, and are living in unimaginable poverty.
Our youth must also understand and appreciate the beauty of building something of their own, and of having a long term vision. It is more dignifying to create our own platforms than to go cap in hand begging the status quo for some space. We are princes, not beggars. However, many of us show beggarly traits. They are envious and never cooperate. If the youths are truly 65% of this population, they should be the ones calling the shots already, but as we have seen, they are often so myopic, they don’t see why they should be involved. At other times, every discussion on youthful forum easily descend into curses and insults. A cursory look at many comment threads will tell us the kind of psychology we are talking about. And talking about the ‘now now’ mentality, we must know that life is not like that. It is a fact that the visionlessness of our leaders have taken us to this point. Other societies ensure order and emphasise the happiness of their citizens. But Nigeria is a place of ‘hustle’ instead. Everyone wants to be a billionaire immediately, and yes, they believe politics is the fastest route.
In short, Nigerian youths need ECONOMIC POWER first in order to give teeth to the political power that they seek. Otherwise children of rich people – many of who have stolen the commonwealth – will be the only ones benefiting from this quest. Those one, and the poor youth who will sell their souls to the rich corrupters and go on to loot to their own fill. Is this what we have achieved?
Now I have to go. The rich kids are coming…
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