Efio-Ita Nyok|9 May 2017
Sunday 7th May, saw Mr Emmanuel Macron elected President of France at age 39. This has sparked off debates across the world especially Nigeria.
International development consultant, political scientist, social entrepreneur and public affairs analyst, Mr Princewill Odidi, has submitted his perspective on the challenge of Nigerian youths vis-a-vis the gruesome activities of political elites.
Consultant Odidi has slammed the relatively elderly political elites in Nigeria whom he says consciously render the Nigerian youth emotionally and psychologically defeated moving from the one influential public office to the other. He, amongst other things, has charged these elites to liberate the youths. Excerpt:
'Keeping the Nigerian youth subservient, timid, unable to stand up and fight for themselves, dependent, unemployed, psychologically and emotionally defeated, hungry, beggarly, waiting idle to be given powers on a platter of gold is a conscious effort orchestrated by the political elites to perpetuate themselves in power, moving from one position of power to another.
'Any attempt to mobilize the youths to help liberate themselves from a defeatist mentality is met with condemnation, outright chastisement and stiff opposition.
'Today's youth find it difficult to aspire for leadership because they have been mentally tortured, humiliated and cajoled to believe that in political participation they have to always consult with some self made elders who over the years have monopolized power as private property.
'When Imoke, Duke, Mbu and others who aspired and won power at ages between 33 and 37, as at the time of their leadership, we had 60 and 70 year olds in our society, but they failed to aspire to office because they understood the principle of the young shall grow.
'At a certain age or after expending so many years in political office building houses and businesses all over the world, it makes common sense to leave power for stronger and more agile youths to take control.
'How can youths struggle and attain power when they have been mentally bastardized to believe they must continually serve for stipends and paychecks.
'However, gradually that lid is being removed. Let's help to liberate the youths now', he concluded.
Do you think that political elites in Nigeria have a role to play in the liberation of Nigerian youths or does the absolute responsibility for youth emancipation on the youths themselves?
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven.org
