On Youth, Leadership and Solutions to Societal Problems

"Youths are the leaders of tomorrow!"

The above is a common saying that is regularly repeated to the upcoming generations as a motivation to work hard and succeed in life endeavors.

Alas, it seems to have become an empty saying for many who grew up hearing it and even now have started repeating it to the next generation - though in a manner - that is clearly lacking in conviction.

And the reason is essentially because leadership is not something that is given, but rather earned. In other words you are not recognized as a leader on a platter of gold except that you have been able to prove yourself capable of being a leader.

It is therefore instructive that the youth need to realize that they need to step up and seek solutions to the myriad of problems that are facing them in their communities and the Nigerian society as a whole.

No one is in a better position to tackle these issues facing us than we ourselves who are seen as youth and we cannot continue to wait for 'leaders' to solve these issues. Being able to find the courage to pick an issue and come up with a solution and implement it is the definition of leadership.

In many instances, people are quick to point out how young were our elders and the generation of the First Republic who got independence from the colonial masters. Yet what they fail to state is the kind of efforts and initiatives that they setup with relatively scarce means and resources.

From setting up newspapers, engaging in community development and all manner of struggles, spending and risking their properties and lives, our forebears 'took the bull by the horn' and proved why there was no alternative to them and as to their suitability to lead their communities and the nation.

Therefore let me encourage my fellow youth for us to go out and 'walk the talk'! The issues that need our attention are too many for us not to already have our hands full for we are dire straits!

In conclusion I would say that the rate of degeneration of things in our society is alarming and must be arrested and the responsibility for this falls squarely on our shoulders. Therefore we must come together - in all the different spheres of endeavor we find ourselves in - to collaborate and use our zeal, energy and creativity to tackle the socioeconomic problems in our midst.

WE are the only hope of the Nigerian society's renaissance and it is the only visible way out of the quagmire we are in.

Arise O Compatriots!......
So help us God.

Haidarwali 201812252058hrs