THE FUTURE OF THIS GENERATION –A Wake Up Call for Nigerian Youth Home and Abroad

I’m sure that you have all read through three guest writers on ‘ DIS GENERATION’ page managed by amiable Jennifer, for the past weeks; Temidayo Israel-abdulai, Isikwenu Oghenefego and Jessica Rimington all discussed one thematic focus which is FUTURE and YOUNG PEOPLE .

I want to share an excerpt from an address that was delivered by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered at Oberlin College on June 1965, Ohio entitled ‘Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution’ he shared the story of Rip Van Winkle; the things that we usually remember about this story that is -Rip went up into mountain for his long sleep, when he went up, the sign had a picture of king George iii of England, when he come down, years later, the sign had a picture of George Washington, the first president of the United States. When Rip looked up at the picture of George Washington he was completely lost; he knew not who he was. This reveals to us that he slept through a REVOLUTION.

Revolution! That is my focus, the three guest writers talked about the issue of future generation without sounding the word revolution which I believe as only solution to under-youth development in our country. Dayo Israel , a young Nigerian I respected so much, talked about “My Hope for Future Generation” I could remember vividly in one of my meeting with him in Lagos , I said that we need to bring down our commitment and passion to grassroots so that young citizens there would understand those developmental issues and participate.

Isikwenu Oghenefego said that many young people have lost hope in this country- Why? Those countries they ran to had their own turbulent period and through socio-political-economic revolution they are smiling today. What am advocating for is in support of what Jessica Rimington of One World Youth Project talked about “The future’s Future” in her context she encouraged connectivity of ideas and frowned at social inequality, believe me my fellow young Nigerians the concept of egalitarianism should be encouraged among Nigerian youth home and abroad and our coming together-‘the synergy’ is the key.

My wake up call to all Nigeria youth on a final note is in accordance to what an elder statement, politician and journalist of higher repute Chief MCK Ajuluchuwa of blessed memory said “… I foresee a revolution, may be after my life time, a great revolution arising from the youths, a violent revolution not a peaceful one, where all the tyrants, all thieves of public fund will be slaughtered like in the RUSSIAN REVOLUTION of 1917 .

Never allow it to be said that you are SILENT ONLOOKERS, DETACHED SPECTATORS but you are involved participant in the struggle to make social revolution a reality, a revolution without violent in Nigeria .

By Guest Witer on Dis Generation, THE NATION Newspaper (sundays):

MAYOWA Adeniran A youth- development Journalist with Youngstars Foundation, Jos Executive Officer, African Youth Television Network, (AYTV)