By: Nurudeen Dauda
nurudeendauda24@gmail.com
To start with, the 12th day of August of every year is said aside as International Youth Day by the United Nations to discuss their plights and way forward.
In my observation, in Nigeria of nowadays most conversation during the annual International Youth Day is about the clamors for youth to take over as leaders in the country. In other climes in days like these, issues affecting youth education, health, food security, skills, and innovation, etc. often take center stage.
Most of the politicians projecting themselves as a youth in Nigeria of today are not youth themselves going by the definition of the word. It is pertinent to “debate” whether “leadership” is about one’s “age” or “competence”. Come with me!
The definition of the word youth has almost become subjective. In other words, there is no universal definition of the word youth. However, The United Nations defines youth as persons between the ages of 15 and 24. The African Youth Charter defines youth as persons between the ages of 15-35. In most of sub-Saharan Africa, the term “youth” is associated with young men from 15 to 30 or from 15 to 35 years of age.
However, in Nigeria, the nearest definition of the word youth is perhaps the National Youth Service Corps’ definition. The Corps considers only 30 years and below for mobilization to National Youth Service. This by implication is the definition of youth in Nigeria.
Nigeria by its history has always been governed by relatively young people. If there are categories of ages to blame for its leadership failure then the relatively young people will take their fair share.
Except for Presidents Obasanjo and Buhari in their second comings all our presidents past held leadership positions at below 60 years. Sir Abubakar T. Balewa became Prime minister at the age of 49 (1912-1957). Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ceremonial President at 51(1904-1963). Gen. Ironsi at 42(1924-1966). Gen. Gowon at 32(1934-1966). Gen. Murtala at 37(1938-1975). Gen. Obasanjo at 38(1937-1976). President Shagari at 54(1925-1979). Gen. Buhari at 41(1942-1983).Gen. Babangida at 44(1941-1985). Chief Shokekan at 55(1936-1993). Gen.Abacha at 49(1943-1994). Gen. Abubakar at 56(1942-1998). President Obasanjo at 62(1937-1999). President Yar’adua at 56(1951-2007).President Jonathan at 53(1957-2010). President Buhari at 73(1942-2015).
In my view, the quest for credible leadership should go beyond one’s age alone, for me, it should be about one’s capacity or competency or patriotism and or integrity or vision and or all. However, I am a believer of the combination of both the young and the aged for leadership positions, but not based on one’s age per se, but based on the above qualities. Society will surely benefit from the youthful exuberance of a competent young leader just as it will benefit from the experience and maturity of a competent experienced leader.
A young leader needs the “experience” and the “maturity” of an”aged” leader while an “aged” leader needs the youthful “exuberance “of a young leader. The mixture of the two classes is the best way to go. It will enable the “old” to “mentor” and “tutor “the youths while the youthful energy of the youth will add value to governance.
May God bless Nigeria!