WHERE DID WE GO WRONG? WAKE UP NIGERIAN YOUTHS-
"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 military coup was led by K
Nzeogwu who was 29 years and countered by
M.Mohammed 28,
T. Danjuma 28,
I. Babangida 25,
J. Garba 23,
Sani Abacha 23,
and M. Yar'adua 23,
And brought to power
Y. 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.
Also, the brief democratic dispensation which
interjected the military interregnums also saw
some Senators and members of the House of
Representatives, in particular, populated by
persons under 30!
Under 30's were also not in short supply with
appointments - we have examples of
MT Mbu who became Nigeria's 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 almost all 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?
GOD BLESS NIGERIA!"
From Prof Wole Soyinka.
