“Before the cock crows, work must be done”
May 3rd, 2017
Nigeria’s motion for independence was supported by a unified aim to dislodge foreign powers from the helm of affairs. Yet Olawole Olakunle, 23, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, argues that Nigeria has failed to achieve the glory it could realise as a great nation.
It’s important to note that at one point in time, the world touted Nigeria as an amazon heading to lofty heights. With vast mineral resources, magnanimous workforce, a booming agricultural sector and the discovery of black diamond (crude oil) we became the spectacle the world beheld.
Unfortunately, we are now only a parody of such lofty heights. We wallow in abject poverty and we are currently classified among the third world countries. Only if I can get a magic wand, I wouldn’t have any reason to write this piece because I would have turned the tides of event around and reshaped the destiny of this great nation.
Having gone through many trying times as a nation in our 56 years of existence, I believe there is hope ahead and I see a new dawn in the political geography of this great nation. For those who follow the political affairs of this nation, it is worthy to note that the mechanism of a political shift is currently in play. Political power is changing hands from the current elite structure to a different, much younger and globally educated local crop of young people. Time, they say, is the most potent medicine mankind ever had.
This set of young change makers would be the determinant of a redefined model of living. As a nation, new political ideologies would suffice negating the old ones. The clamour to redefine our goals as a nation and set our priorities right would be the order of the day, new alliances would surge, there would be massive reduction in the level of gullibility, citizens would be mentally alert and ready to challenge any anti-people policy. A new model of education would be formulated, our culture would take centre stage, we would begin the journey to nationhood while retracing our steps back to where the class of 1960 lost track and Nigeria would be great again.
Sorrow, as they say, may tarry for a night, nevertheless joy comes in the morning. Inasmuch as the crow of a cock signifies the dawn of a new day, how bright the day becomes is a resolution of the efforts invested before the cock crows. Hence, before Nigeria becomes the great nation we all hope to witness, efforts must be invested by the current wave of young people scrambling to join the political train.
The major solution to any problem is being conscious of the problem and having knowledge about the problem. Before the birth of a new dawn in the Nigerian political arena, young change-makers need to be conscious and learn to adapt to shifts in current political circumstances.
Dr. Alinsky, in his book “Rules for Radicals”, advises young people to “learn a lesson! Go home, organize, build power and at the next convention, be the delegates”. Therefore, the desire to rant should be quenched with a unified colloquium of young organised people ready to be the delegates at the next elections. Young people need to be ready to play an active role in politics while uniting against all odds and resolving any fracas caused by difference in political paymasters.
Subsequently, studying with zeal, reading voraciously and doing extensive research into the causes, actions and alliances forged that in turn affected the direction of Nigeria negatively is needed so as to be prepared with the right recipe before getting power. Young people need to grow the will to adopt a new model of life for the Nigerian people. Millennials must have a degree of control over the flow of events with adequate planning all through to the end, and the will to adopt our indigenous solution model to impending challenges while in turn dealing with procrastination and nonchalance as one of the greatest threats to success.
Finally, it is widely acclaimed that when preparation meets opportunity, success is always recorded. As Africans, we have relied on the belief that success comes through prayers, but alas, success comes through extensive planning, backed with action.
Hence, before the cock crows to announce the birth of a new day in the Nigerian political arena, work must be done.
Take action today as a young person so that history will absolve you!
Reach me at kunlefreedom@gmail.com or on Twitter @mko_olawole
photo credit: paral_lax <°)>< Le coq d’or via photopin (license)
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About me: I am a writer and advocate for youth participation in politics. My passion for qualitative governance led me to join the Student Union Government, where I served as secretary of committee on ethics and privilege. I am also a volunteer and a member of the Young Active Network of VSO, Voluntary service overseas.
I am currently the National Director of Student and Campus Micro-group for KOWA Party Nigeria, a political party with a youth in politics mandate.
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/
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