Youths Anger, Frustration Not Good Nigeria – Obasanjo
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has said the anger and frustration being experienced by the nation’s teeming youths portends doom and could explode someday in the country if not properly managed.
He stated this in his remarks at a youth programme held at Olusegun Obasanjo presidential library in Abeokuta.
Obasanjo maintained that during his own time there were opportunities but limited facilities unlike today’s case where there are facilities but limited opportunities.
Using the example of universities, the former President said after he left secondary school, there was only one university but said he had five appointment offers from different companies lamenting that university graduates of today don’t have the opportunity.
Obasanjo said his greatest fears were youth anger and frustration which he said knew no bound.
He however said all hopes was not lost for the youth saying once they believed in themselves, sky is the limit.
He said, “my greatest worry for Africa and Nigeria are the anger and frustration of the youth that will lead to explosion. It will know no bound. If you talk about Boko Haram, it’s limited to North East, MASSOB is limited to the east militants to the Niger delta and OPC is around the corner here”
He however maintained that his greatest hope is in the youth advising the youth to believe in themselves.
Obasanjo further stated that though the youth are the future, they cannot afford to disregard the experience of the elders.
“Don’t wish us dead or disappear because you need us. You need mentoring, assistance of those before you. You should not lose hope. Japan has no oil but good education. Be ready to pay the price for something you believe in. Be consistent.”
The lead speaker, former Minister of Aviation and FRSC Corps Marshall, Chief Osita Chidoka speaking on the theme ‘Towards a Guiding Political Philosophy for a Democratic Nigeria’ said the trouble with Nigeria was leadership.
He advocated harnessing human resources, provide equal opportunities and develop capacity for innovation.
He said “our national aspirations should inspire the next generation and provide them with the existential meaning of Nigeria, a meaning that transcends geography, natural resources and ethnicity.”
He proposed a new Charter for the country, saying the Charter should contain reasons for the country’s union, the purpose of union and the guarantee of the basic rights, privileges and obligations of citizens.
“Our political parties can then build their ideologies around the strategies for the achieving our national goals”, he added.
In his submission, Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal while presenting a paper on the topic, ‘Preparing Successor Generation for Effective Participation in Governance’, said anyone who does not see the intrinsic value of the youth has simply never enjoyed the opportunity of working with the youth.
He said “we cannot keep calling them the leaders of tomorrow without ensuring that we put in place deliberate measures that will aid their quest for public service.”
