YOUTHS AND CHALLENGES OF LEADERSHIP EXAMINED

There have been substantial calls for involvement of youths in the leadership of the country which have been heightened with the recent legislative intervention, lowering the age limit for elective positions.

A bill to reduce the age of political office contenders in the country has received the endorsement of the National Assembly.

The bill aims to encourage many young Nigerians to be involved in the leadership of the country and also seeks to allow Independent Candidacy.

Following perceived low or non participation of the country’s youths in leadership business, the legal framework has been lauded by many, especially the youths, while others hold the view that the youth lack the necessary skills and exposure to lead at different levels of government.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria in Enugu, a member of the Stand With Naija Movement, Mr Godwin Ibiang, said youths of the current millennium appear to have lost hope in the state of affairs, hence their non-participation. He however advised them not to lose hope.

Mr George Chukwuemeka, the National President, Young African Stars, noted that Nigerian Youths had not been given rightful place in the leadership of the country.

He said the younger generation could not be ignored because they were sufficiently equipped with trending ideas of governance.

However, some elders argued that the youth should not expect leadership positions to be handed over to them on a platter of gold.

One of them and Deputy Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Enugu State,  Mr Benjamin Onueze, was of the view that the youth could pilot the affairs of the country at the moment.

He advised them to develop themselves, be obedient and disciplined if they desired to lead someday.

On the other hand, Mr Godwin Ogenyi, a former Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Poverty Reduction in Enugu state, President and Founder of YORDEL Africa, attributed the non-inclusion of youths in leadership to failure of the government to properly prepare them for public service votes.

Mr Ogenyi enjoined the youth to prepare themselves for leadership through volunteer services for the good of their people.

Considering the huge financial resources needed to prosecute electioneering in the country and low participation of youths in political activities including registering to obtain voter cards, could they be said to be ready to participate more in leadership?

MOSHOOD MOHAMMED