NIGERIAN YOUTH, WHY? - Prof. Wole Soyinka

Where did we go wrong? WAKE UP Nigerian youth!

Awolowo was 37 years, Akintola 36, Ahmadu Bello 36, Balewa 34, Okotie-Eboh 27, and Enahoro 27 and they led the struggle for Nigeria Independence after the death of Macaulay. Only Zik was 42 at the time.

In 1966, the first coup was led by: K. Nzeogwu who was 29 years and countered by M. Mohammed 28, T. Danjuma 28, Babangida 25, Garba 23, Sani Abacha 23, and Yaradua 23, and brought into power Gowon 32, Ojukwu 33, Obasanjo 29, and Buhari 24. Most of the military governors who governed the states under the successive military regimes were under 30 years. The brief democratic.dispensation which interjected the military interregnums also saw some Senators, and the House of Representatives, in particular, populated by members under 30. Under 30's were also not in short supply with.appointments - we have examples of M.T. Mbu who became foreign affairs minister at 23 and Pat Utomi who became a federal adviser at 27 and so on and so forth.

NOW: Why is it that this age bracket is today still sleeping in 3 seater chairs in their parents’ homes? Why is it that this age bracket is today still collecting pocket money from their parents? Why is it that this age bracket is today still writing JAMB? Why is it that this age bracket today still sagg their trousers? Why is it that this age bracket is today still searching for jobs, and not yet married? Why is it that this age bracket is today no longer qualified to even be leaders of youth wings of political parties?

Why is it that this age bracket is today so docile? Why is this age bracket today incapable of feeding itself? Why is it that this age bracket is today barred from even aspiring to certain political offices? Why is it that this age bracket is today incapacitated, unwilling, unable and incapable of asking questions? Why is it that this age bracket is not even conscious of their predicament?

GOD BLESS NIGERIA!

Article source attributed to:
Prof. Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate)