Not Too Young To Run!

The Young and the Old need each other!

Again, I intend to continue the tread. Last blog post, I alluded to the bill seeking the downward review of the legal age for people to run for elective positions. Thanks to Hon. Tony Nwulu, the bill has passed the Second Reading and is now at Committee level.
So this piece to a very large extent was inspired by the conversations that ensued and are a continuum.

"Murphy Jemba, You're absolutely spot on! This is information the people can use!"
This is a fact! Some serious demographic info! 60% of the 180 million Nigerians (conservative estimate) are below 30 years old! That's a staggering 108 million people! That is more than the population of most countries. You would ordinarily think this group of people should have a serious stake in government. Young people drive the economy! That is why these days companies only want people who are less than 25 years old - because they know how productive they are!
Instead, what do we have? We are being fed with that old rhetoric that has lost its mojo - "youths are the future of tomorrow!" SMH!

There is no day called "tomorrow!"
When you look at the calendar, it shows you today's date - not tomorrow's. When tomorrow comes, it's no longer called "tomorrow" but "today"! Hence the saying that "today is the tomorrow we talked about yesterday." As Fela Durotoye would say: "we are the leaders of today, not tomorrow!" The future is not a distant time we haven't experienced but all that we can be but have not yet become!
Renowned Economist John Maynard Keynes when asked how long the long run was, he asserted: "In the long run, we are all dead!"

Pan-Africa!
What is the most populous black democracy doing about her youths when in Ghana you can run for parliament at 21? When in Uganda you can run for president at 35? When in South Africa at 18, you can vote and stand for any political position? What is Nigeria missing?
Giants don't lead from the back, they lead from the front!

The Millenials
This isn't to say we should dispose of our elders, what we are advocating is an intergenerational political symbiosis. The Nzeogwus, the Murtalas, the Awolowos, the Balewas, the Gowons, the Ojukwus of this world were barely in their 20s and 30s when they started occupying significant roles in this country - because somebody gave them a chance!
Young people are more than strategizing for others to win elections, more than being backroom staff and being promised the high heavens during campaigns!
We should think of the future of Nigeria o! There is no success without successors!

Young Bloods
A local adage says that "a man whom the gods fight for should also have wisdom".
We young people need to step up the ante. People will only take us seriously when we take ourselves more seriously. It's time to turn up! Stand up and be counted!
Charisma is good but competence and character is needed at this time!
Young leaders arise!

Thanks for reading!
Have yourselves an inspired life!
Facebook: Mfonobong Inyang
Twitter: @inspiredMI_
Mobile: 07038214925
WhatsApp: 07038214925
Email: mfonobonginyang@gmail.com