As we head to another political dispensation and democratic transition in 2015, the stakes are very high more than ever before. The trauma of deadly ethno-religious crises as well as violent insurgency and other security challenges facing our country today is posing danger signals to our security especially as the 2015 election approaches closer.
The call for a vibrant and integrated youth involvement in political activity and meaningful national reconciliation is an easy warning
signal to showcase the magnitude of national regret in our political history especially in the last fourteen (14) years of the present
civilian administration and perhaps the oldest in our political history. The atrocity of political instability, social economic and
moral dilapidation facing Nigerians: especially youths, has had a dire effect on the polity of the Nation’s democracy for the past fourteen (14) years of those new socio- political eras.
Hopefully, Nigeria youths are beginning to understand the need to fulfil their political national obligation. As youths, we now
understand that we must come together as a group by breaking from all boundaries be it ethno-religious, socio-cultural, and economic limitations. We must now understand that as youths what we share in common is more than what we have in differences. We understand that some of us especially the uninformed are victims of recruitment into ethno-religious fanatical associations and groups, political thuggery and other ramification of insecurity and crisis that is threatening the existence of our great nation Nigeria. We now understand that we must not allow the worst to happen. As youths, we have the capacity and human capital to save our only nation from breaking.
As youths, we reserve the rights and opportunity to participate and play an instructional role in redirecting and the reformation of a new Nigeria. As Nigerians youths, we must understand and identify with the forthcoming 2015 general election as an opportunity and a stepping stone for national democratic, political, economic transformation, and thorough effective and co-ordinated youth integration.
Obviously, Nigeria youths are not smiling. There is a visible and direct connection between the nation’s processing problems especially crises, insecurity, corruption and economic instability on one hand and the efforts and strategies of the society and political authority to revive and sustain national unity and meaningful political development especially before 2015 must be youth integration that can successfully champion a peaceful revolution through unifying the mind-set of all Nigerian youths on the other hand.
As youths, we realise that within this present circumstances in between now and 2015 we can come together through common aspiration, development and maintenance of high sense of patriotism and political responsibility and rise to the occasion. As youths, we do not need an endorsed political straight jacket of political uncertainties with an intended endless circle since 1999.
We are undergoing a time in history where the entire world is witnessing a critical transition of both peaceful and radical
revolution struggles for change. With reverence to the recent Arab spring revolution, the European, American and perhaps the worldwide social-economic crises and uprising are all initiatives organised and carried out by angry youths of various nations in almost every part of the world. It is obvious that a wind of change is blowing across youths worldwide and Nigerian youths must not be an exception to this promising trend.
As the political atmosphere of Nigeria become dense and intoxicated with complete partisan political rivalry between the major biggest opposition parties: All Progressive Congress (APC) and the ruling party People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that has been in power since 1999, the media and national attention is focused around party popularity, supremacy and hierarchy. Nigerian youths and the nation must not forget that a time has come whereby the nation is almost pushed to the wall especially its youths. Therefore, this is a clarion call to these set of people to rise up and defend their basic rights and God given privileges. We must understand that a time has come for us to build a credible bridge between our political aspiration and our economic achievement. We must not allow the desperation of partisan politics to further divide us along ethno-religious, socio-cultural and regional boundaries. We must steadily and without gross hostility utilise this time to create and maintain mutual understanding among the Igala youths, Kogi and Nigeria in general.
It is regrettable that presently the youths are numb and relatively silent at a time where they are expected to be the outspoken group of the society. Youths bodies like the national association of Nigerian students (NANS) though repressed by continuous machinations of politicians and academic situations must leap forward and provide Nigerian youths the necessary covering to actualise their potentials.
Most of the student union government in higher institutions nationwide have been banned or expelled by either the institution or state authorities. Subsequent and consistent strike actions by the university and polytechnic authorities like the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) has been long lasting at the expense of the youths. Nigerian youths are illegally brutalised, detained and apprehended by the Nigerian Police across the nation on daily basis. The recent Apo killing of youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a typical example that youths are the highest casualties of ethno-religious crises, insurgency, political and economic instability engulfing our great country Nigeria.
The reason for these stems from the mere fact that Nigerian youths lack any responsible national body. The dividend of democracy that provides the opportunity for all citizens to express their grievances and the chances for national unity among youths since 1999 has not been achieved.
It is against this backdrop that as youths, we must understand the urgency of togetherness as well as the necessity to participate in
effective national reconciliation and integration by breaking the chain of all differences and boundaries. The only answer to the
nation’s question on 2015 is youth integration. This call for youths to be empowered goes beyond selfish inclinations and self-driven
political aspirations, politics should not be seen as ‘business as usual’. Rather, an instrument for national development. Nigerian
youths should come together, build on their faith in the betterment of their beloved country Nigeria and work towards the actualisation of the ‘Labours of our heroes past’. It is about time we let go of politicians devoid of ideological wrangling with no roadmap and no plans for the society and the common man on the street.
Be a part of this generational call for a paradigm shift and a radical change from the ‘Business as usual’ politicians ruling our polity.
Finally, as the saying goes ‘The youths are the leaders of tomorrow’ and the time is now.
– Mark Okpanachi Ogah
