#YouthNow: World Youth Day for Democracy Laz Apir

Once upon a time in 1996, a group of young Benue folks convened, the oldest of them in the room was 38 years old. They brainstormed and birthed a document which they were thoughtful enough to send to some experts at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to critique. The experts from UNDP called the document a master piece having scrutinized it. However, they wondered if there will be executive capacity to implement it. That document translated into the Benue Advancement Plan that the Akume administration adopted when it came on board in 1999. Most of the drivers of that administration were in their fifties and they all poorly attempted to execute the blue print but failed. Even that some key actors from the 1999 cabal have been instrumental to the successive administrations in the state, the blue print remains abandoned.

In another news, since the return of democratic governance in Nigeria in 1999, over 98% of those who have occupied the office of President, Governor, Senate, or appointed as Ministers or heads of parastatals are non-youths. The average age for being a governor is 52 years and 58 years for the senate and ministerial appointments. Sadly, 99% of them have failed woefully with evidence being the state of affairs in Nigeria today. By implication only 2% of leadership failure in Nigeria can ever be blamed on the youths but this too is debatable.

Another fact is that in the last two decades, the majority of African states have grossly under-performed and one common feature they share is the average age of heads of government in Africa which is 62 years. Whilst agreeing that age by itself should not be an issue, the inability of such folks in these ages to critically think and solve Africa’s development challenges cannot be ignored. They have shown clearly that they cannot be a solution to the current challenges. Could it be a generational conspiracy to fail an entire continent? I continue to wonder.

These three instances above are the reason I take offense and consider it callous and highly unfair each time someone somehow finds the only example in Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to justify the argument that the youths are neither ready nor different. Granted, if the youths are no different, is that why the old people who are spent should continue in leadership only to selfishly enrich themselves? The youths are not even qualified to have the opportunity to fail? For countries like Nigeria who even have systemic exclusion of youths enshrined in the constitution where age qualification for president is pegged at 40, what are the youths to do?

As the world observes the 2017 world youth day for democracy (#WYDD), I couldn’t agree more with this year’s theme which is #YouthNow. And the only ones who should realize and take action as inspired by this theme are the youths! Very many youths have the energy, the requisite enlightenment, exposure and above all, the numbers to make a difference in any given election. It is on this note that I call on youths of Nigeria in general and Benue State in particular to refuse and reject the narrative that they are not ready for leadership. No one should tell them less than they know and feel about their future. The Youths should realize that nothing about them without them is for them, their inclusion is non-negotiable. 

A mind-set has been built to sustain the narrative that youths are not ready and are worse in leadership. This argument is baseless given that 99% of leadership since 1999 has been in the hands of non-youths and it has woefully failed. The old people simply have built this narrative to sustain their selfish hold onto power. Sadly, unsuspecting youths have been manipulated into helping sustain the narrative. They effortlessly run down a fellow youth who dares to stand against the mind set; just to prove they are loyal servants to the old spent generation.

The situation has further complicated to the point that youths who get passed over again and again get into their late 30s and early 40s still expecting their inclusion on the youth quota whilst the actual youths of 18 to 30 years are completely kept out of the picture. Let’s be clear about one thing, the agitation by those in the age categories of late 30s to early 40s is valid and the surest way actual youths can ever get included in leadership. This is why both the youths and the youthful of our times must stand together and demand in action their inclusion in leadership, especially elective leadership.

On this note, I say a belated Happy World Youth Day for Democracy (#WYDD 2017) to Kamo Sende, Kuma Shiishi, Sefa Ikpa, Robert Aondona, and all the youths who are refusing to settle for less.

@lazapir

REPORT OF THE LEADBenue SYMPOSIUM HELD IN OTUKPO ON THE 30TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2017.

The event which didn't begin at the scheduled time later began at about 11:00am with the opening prayer said by Pastor Dave Ogbole. After this, the moderator Dr. Ikpanor asked both stanzas of the Nigerian National anthem to be sang; this was of course preceded by the introduction of guests present; Notable from amongst them, the guest speakers Ms. Laura Utume and Mr. Adejo Oko and also the lead speaker Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu. Others included the Jukun community of Benue State, Convener of LEAD Benue Mr. Akula Samson and his LEAD team, Senator A.B Mark was represented and a host of others.

The moderator Dr. Elijah Ikpanor without much ado introduced the Chairperson of LEAD cooperative, Dr. Victoria Egwaor Daaor who was standing in for the Coordinator of LEADBenue to give the opening remarks.

In her short and concise remarks Dr. Daaor on behalf of the Coordinator Mr. Lazarus Msaaga Apir offered apologies for his absence stating that he was unable to arrive the country within schedule to meet the event. Mrs Daaor encouraged participants to further stand behind LEAD to place it on the threshold of history for society's betterment.

She emphasized that "we must open up our minds to true change and move away from mediocrity".

 She stated that "the young people have proven aggressive due to frustration and assured further that LEAD would create a platform where true progress will be made and our people will vent". She assured participants further of their safety throughout the symposium.

After the opening remarks, it was time to get down to the business of the day, it was then that the moderator introduced and read the citation of the first speaker, Mr. Ogiri Adejo.

Mr. Ogiri in his exquisite presentation had a lot of high points; 

Notable "quotable quotes" from his presentation are highlighted below:

"Give me just one generation of youth and I'd transform the whole city"

- The youth are the true spine of the society and a lot of things do not happen because the young people ignore their true strength"

- "Politics is the currency of man's interaction with his fellow men".

- "youths not oil; are the nation's true wealth"

- "The youths don't decide the debts taken or how they are spent but we pay and why can't we ask for a place in decision making?"

- "The youths are the highest determinants as to whether a candidate and their party wins or loses an election"

- " We have an advantage today as youths, if ignored this will become a time-bomb".

Ogiri's well prepared presentation basically was a clarion call for the youths to rise to the occasion and take their rightful place in leadership. His 40 minutes’ presentation centrally was to the notion that it is time for the young Nigerians to take their currency back and situate themselves in the proper positions.

As an interlude, Dr. Ikpanor did include that as youths we needed to reshape our thinking; he opined further that scaling our priorities "properly" had become necessary the moment we realized that we would not be "easily" granted a sit at the table. He asked that we change tact in the war we have been fighting as we have been fighting wrong. In his words;

"Let us shift our arsenals from attacking elders on social media to building blocks for our own future by the instrumentality of the PVC".

With this he introduced and read the Citation of the second speaker; Ms Laura Utume.

Mrs Utume's 45 minutes’ presentation was another classic. It was an "all high point" presentation. Notable "quotable quotes" from her presentation are;

-"We have no democracy in Nigeria, we have civil rule. The generation now must change the narrative."

-"The youth is that extremely important and greatly acceptable value for transaction that is used in the negotiation of power"

-"The true power brokers are the youth but we have sacrificed our place on the altars of short-sightedness"

-We lack basically the capacity to discuss the primary issues; because we have made it thus".

-" Mentorship, objective followership and apprenticeship have lost their true essence. We would rather today identify the people who tell us the not so true and convenient statements than the lot who tell the uncomfortable but progressive truth".

-"To be able to get any kind of freedom, religious or political; you must first have economic freedom".

-" We need to stand together or we would all fail. They know this and they do not want to see us happen".

-" It will not be easy;

The protectors of the status quo and the brotherhood of indifferent pessimists will be mitigating factors against us but we would go beyond their believes IF we stand together"

-" We are the LEADers of tomorrow; tomorrow is now, none else is coming".

- "Nothing about us that is without us is for us".

She closed her beautiful paper harping on integrity and the need to stand together.

She emphasized that choosing wise battles will go a long way to getting it right as she asked the fundamental question; 

"Where are those who died fighting for politicians’ pre-elections in history today"?

The answer is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf: Nowhere in history.

In his interlude, Dr. Ikpanor in his usual superb style did drop a question that left the audience "pin-drop" silent;

"How can we ever be included if we talk down on our generation more than we promote them"?

It was time now to usher in the "big wig"

The moderator read the enviable citation of the lead speaker after a short break.

The citation of Professor Ochefu left everybody in wait and need there be emphasis that he did not disappoint? He didn't. 

Prof. Y.A Ochefu began by appreciating the effort and stating that young people (the oldest of whom was 38 then) did what LEAD today attempts as far back as 96; a group he was a nucleus part of, one that would later give birth to the Benue Advancement Plan.

He said;

"We sent the document to the UNDP to critique' the UNDP said it was a master document but asked if we were sure Benue had the executive capacity to implement the ideas".

He threw the same question at LEAD's effort.

Professor Ochefu's One hour presentation was breath-taking and pure class.

Every moment was a high one. Notable "quotable quotes " from the presentation are highlighted. below;

- " it is one thing to have the energy and passion to do something positively and another new thing to choose wise company".

- "If we stand strong when tested, we learn and grow from the process".

-"Young people must learn to climb the ropes and have their pedigree tested. They must grow. A man who has never been head boy of his school cannot want to be Senator of zone C from nowhere; people should grow".

- "If you cannot communicate your ideas, it is either you are trying to mask your ignorance or you are helpless".

- "Where you want to go, a lot of people will not; some cannot, when you find them, move on. Suffer together, more importantly, go together".

-"Leaders must stand strong by standing for something; they must inspire others following".

- "Situation Variables in leadership determines how one rules. You rule depending on society’s state…in peace, prosperity or war; Rule. A balanced leader however can combine this variables and rule".

-"These things have been done before, why not again?"

The astute academician concluded by charging the younger generation to continue in self-development and encouraged LEAD Benue kind of ideas as they ultimately will lead to giant strides.

The moderator at this juncture opened spaces for questions to be taken on all three presentations.

Reactions and questions from Kenneth Ati and another lady representing the Jukun community drew out answers from the Professor.

Of importance was his mention during this response; that one of Benue's most successful governors Apolos Aper Aku did deliver because he assembled some of the best brains Benue had at the time; unlike the situation now where judgement stinks with political colouring than capacity.

He concluded by saying "what is lacking is youth opportunity…We've said all that needs to be said and all we need is someone to work. Somebody who would pick up the documents and do".

Closing reactions were interesting and contributions from Pastor Dave Ogbole who charged all to train themselves and stay prepared amongst others closed the event.

The very fulfilling event came to a close at about 03:00PM