Much has been said of the President appointing Prof. Agboola Gambari as Chief of Staff to President Muhammad Buhari. After being unable to fault his credentials and ability, another narrative pursued was the whole ‘youths and leaders of tomorrow’ angle.
It is important to be aware that the position of CoS is not for children or youth; it is not a discussion where age is a consideration. Conflating the issues to drive a narrative shows ignorance of the facts.
Age is not an indicator of good leadership. I reviewed the current system and it is most disappointing; the youths are more interested in celebrating and enjoying, chasing mischief and clout, arguing and lamenting rather than actively getting involved or developing themselves. I know very few young persons (e.g. my good friend Akintunde Oyebode) who are currently positioning themselves for leadership. For the rest, it is mostly talk and entitlement.
The current leaders were not given power, they worked for it. They slaved and served. They may not have produced the kind of results we want but you don’t get picked if you don’t put yourself forward. Life is a recycling chamber, an opportunity for continuous improvement. If the current scenario is unfavorable, it is an opportunity for the determined to make a difference; Let the youth also work for their own, not expecting handouts
I hear lamentations about stolen mandates and theft. It is our reality and it is a chastening and saddening reality. However, nobody stole anything (I mean stealing power not graft or corruption which are obviously social evils). They took their chances and built on it.
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Ask Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kwame Nkruma, Nelson Mandela etc. They could and should have done better. But the blame should be mutually shared as we are equally complicit.
Now is the chance for the youth to make the differences they want. If you don’t buy the ticket, you can’t win the lottery. Nobody knew the likes of Akunwunmi Ambode, Babajude Sanwo-Olu, Prof Yemi Osinbajo but they proved themselves. They played the game, they embraced their opportunities and they reaped the benefits.
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For those who failed to participate or apply themselves to be crying foul is rather disingenuous. I’ve been in this country for a while, those who apply themselves often get the opportunities.
The youths need to divest themselves from the defeatist narratives often pawned by those who see them as tools for disruption but not leadership. If they aren’t mentoring you for the top, it is a clear indication that they prefer you at the bottom.
For all the faults levied at Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his ability to create a continuum of leaders should be studied. They may not have assumed ‘supreme’ control but they are battle wearied generals with years of training and a clear appreciation of the dynamics of power.
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This is one of the things the North held over the other regions. We chose to look at it as them perpetuating themselves in power but they kept the conveyor belt going by identifying, giving chances to and grooming the next generations. It created a tight knitted group who understood the game of power.
The southern parts were involved in in-fighting, petty intrigues and selfish aggrandizement. Awolowo laid the template for the Yoruba tribe and Tinubu has been a worthy successor. I really wish and pray our South South and South East brothers would develop the same mettle as they have a lot to bring to the table.
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