Category: Campus Life

With an estimated population of 170 million with over 60 per cent consisting of youths, it is not surprising that politics has shifted in that direction and our hitherto politically docile youth population are beginning to understand that they need to get involved in the political process if their desire to change Nigeria can come to fruition.

This is why they are the beautiful bride of politicians. They even sit in negotiation meetings like the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) did when their lecturers met with the Federal Government last month; such is their power now. Politicians are over each other to get their attention, especially in this technologically driven century.

Last year, I attended the fifth edition of “The Bola Tinubu Colloquium” held as part of activities marking the 61st birthday of the former Lagos State Governor and a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC). At the event, five of Nigeria’s talented youth speakers spoke. Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello, a civil rights and democracy activist; Femi Edun, an investment banker; Kolawole Oyeneyin, a business strategist; Myani Bukar, a lawyer and Olubankole Wellington, popularly known by his stage name Banky W, a rhythm and blues singer, all had advice for the youth.

They spoke eloquently about the youths in Nigeria and the need for them to be engaged in the art of governance and national discourse. It was an opportunity to see that we have youths that are ready to take the bull by the horn and cause a change in this country. The theme of the colloquium “Beyond mergers: A national movement for change. A new generation speaks” was quite apt!

Edun who took the podium first to address the audience made up of governors, ex-governors, senators, Members of the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly and other distinguished ladies and gentlemen, spoke eloquently on the growing gulf between the rich and poor and the growing poverty rate in the country and the need for equity, justice and fairness.

Quoting statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics and other sources, and doing a comparative analysis of Nigeria and countries such as Brazil, which we were benchmarked with at independence, Edun stressed that we failed and proved the bookmakers who had placed their bet on us wrong. He called for a new era of change where the youths would play a role.

In an emotion laden and passionate voice that actually moved the crowd, Oyeneyin, who spoke on the topic, “Beyond Merger- Responsibility of Older generation to the younger generation” said most youths were angry with the country our leaders left for us. To him, the situation is like a time bomb waiting to explode – if nothing is done to address it. “We are a generation that have never witnessed a good Nigeria and I speak for myself and people within my age bracket. We have kept so much in our heart as young people and I think time has come for us to speak out,” he said.

With a vibrant youth population, he said it is sad that the political structure in the country is built in such a way that the youth have been cut off from governance. But he noted that change would come if young people are brought on board, considering that they have the intellectual and human capacity to understand the time we are in. He charged the leaders to kill the mentality that youth are leaders of tomorrow. “Tomorrow is already here,” he stated.

Bukar urged the youth to be interested in, and involve in the task of nation building. On his part, Wellington encouraged youths to be involved in the political process, by first, registering to vote, and actually voting for the right candidates. It is either they do that or they sit back and let someone else “steal your voice.”

Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido, who was the chairman of the occasion, pointed out that the youth, by their share size have all it takes to form political movements and take their destiny in their hands.

Tinubu, on his part, believed that the crux of the matter is credible and visionary leadership which the country lacks because “we have a leadership that is dividing us more and more every day.” He called for value reorientation among the leadership. “We must question ourselves in Nigeria. I disagree with my brother and friend Sanusi who says youths may form your own party. Politics is not economic policy where you can change a bank note. If only to merge, some people are already forging names, and trying to prevent the creation of APC (before the party was registered). You can imagine what you will go through.”

One of the negative consequences of the long years of oppressive military rule has been to deny people the understanding that they have a right to participate in politics, not only as politicians but as the electorate. I believe that considering the size and complexity of Nigeria, civil society groups would have to seek ways to collaborate to achieve a massive and sustained voter education process across the country.

To its credit, the civil society has co-operated reasonably in the past, especially in the Abacha era. More recently, civil society showed its capacity for collaboration during the fuel subsidy demonstrations. The biggest challenge for civil society however, lies in the weeks and months ahead as political campaigns begin towards 2015.

However, I’m of the opinion that the biggest potential impact on 2015 rests with the youth. The statistics I mentioned earlier is a pointer to this and by itself it has so many positives if harnessed effectively. This is where youth groups such GenVoices which recently organised a live televised telethon across Nigeria give some hope.

Despite the limitations of poor education, limited job opportunities, the average youth is brimming with energy and optimism. This energy and optimism is bubbling over into creative enterprise which can be channelled for good into fighting for political change and good governance.

It requires young men and women of unimpeachable character and vision to rise above the strongholds of bad leadership, poor education, poverty and deprivation and tap into the ingenuity of youth unimpaired by the procrastination and hand-wringing that has largely characterised the older Nigerian generation who desire change. Effective change in 2015 can only come about as the efforts of civil society are supplemented by larger numbers of progressive Nigerians, especially young Nigerians seeking political office driven by a passion to serve and push Nigeria towards her true destiny as the beacon of hope for the African continent.

But this cannot come about if during political campaigns and deliberations, the role of the youth is relegated to emotional appeals for votes without active participation. As a result, they become more often than not, instruments of violence. Recent electoral conflicts that have plagued our country have seen high youth involvement, raising justifiable concerns.

However, given the important role of the youth as the future leaders of the country, the need to empower and inculcate in them the act of good governance to ensure active non-violent participation is more urgent today than ever. Admittedly, youth understanding of electoral issues, awareness of planned programme of activities, and the importance of non-violent participation and subsequent implications of a peaceful and democratic political governance process on the present and future development of the youth is limited.

Not only has this limitations lingered around the youth for years, but the continued absence of co-ordinated youth-focused educational programmes to sensitise them on the issues of political governance process and on non-violent participation leaves much to be desired.

To deepen Nigeria’s democratic process and lay a solid foundation for tomorrow’s leaders in governance, the youth cannot be sidelined in the political process and nation building. There is no better time to begin than now.

Students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have criticised a member of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) for alleged indecent behaviour in public. PRINCESS-ANN OTUDOR reports.

Students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) were taken aback when a member of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) allegedly behaved indecently in public. Anthony Afufu, the Chief Press Secretary to the president of the union, was said to have behaved inappropriately in his principal’s presence.

The incident occurred at 2:30pm in front of the Old Senate Chamber on the main campus penultimate Saturday.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that trouble started when Anthony, who was the Financial Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ), UNICAL chapter, was not invited to grace the swearing-in ceremony for the new executive of the writers’ union. It was learnt that Anthony was not also given a certificate of service by the outgoing NUCJ president, Emmanuel Ahanonu.

In his speech, Emmanuel was said to have pointed out that the certificate would be given only to members, who discharged their duties diligently. He reportedly said anyone, who did not get a certificate of service did not serve the writers’ union.

Anthony, who did not get a certificate, was said to have pounced on Emmanuel as he was coming out of the inauguration venue, tearing his suit. He also threatened to visit Ahanonu’s hostel to deal with him.

Mr Emmanuel Emori, who represented the Dean of Students’ Affairs at the ceremony, expressed disappointment at the development. He promised to “do something about it”.

The SUG president, Bassey Eka, who was also at the venue, was said to have driven Anthony away in his car.

Students criticised the SUG official for his action, saying Anthony’s behaviour was embarrassing and unbecoming of a students’ leader. Students, who spoke on the incident, did not mention their names.

A female student said she was not surprised by the act.

Emmanuel said he could not exchange blows with Anthony because he is not violent. He said: “It is a pity that people who are supposed to be role models do not know how to register their displeasure on issues.” Emmanuel said he would not fight back because he did not want to be expelled from school, adding: “I am aware of the Senate’s decision to expel any student who fights on campus.”

Bassey said the incident was embarrassing. He said he had never seen Anthony displaying violent behaviour but said he would not support hooliganism of any form.

On the allegation that Anthony had graduated, Bassey said he confirmed the status of his Press Secretary at the Chemistry Department and was informed that Anthony had an extra year.

Speaking to our correspondent on telephone, Anthony denied attacking Ahanonu first, saying the outgoing NUCJ president used abusive words on him and he reacted. He said: “I want to set the record straight. I did not attack Emmanuel Ahanonu; he was using abusive language on me when I asked for my certificate of service. Put yourself in my shoes, anybody could have launched an attack because of the foul language. But I can tell you that the issue has been resolved and Ahanonu has promised to issue a certificate for me.”

Stanley Uchegbu, a final year student of Accounting and member of NUCJ, cautioned members of the association against violence, stressing that the act could tarnish the image of the writers’ union.

Meanwhile, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the management has called both students to settle their differences. This was confirmed by Anthony, when our correspondent spoke to him.