By Basheer Luqman Olarewaju
Across the corners and crevices of the state, there are youths who are either even-handed or parti pris in analysing or criticising the government policies and decisions; it is pestilential to be seeing many who do nothing other than ranting on the street of social media. So pathetic to witness how they reveal the expanse of their ignorance. Just look around and espy how Kwaran youths are connecting through this mobile technology explosion. What is the essence of the networking being made though?
It is worth beholding that Kwara’s greatest asset is not the state’s minerals- Gold, Tourmaline, Tantalite, etcetera. Neither is it the vast expanses of arable land that can feed the whole nation! Not by a long shot. Kwara’s greatest asset is her progenies, her people, and especially the young ones currently in the demographic majority — below 35 years old. These can be tomorrow’s world leaders. However, very few number of the youths are getting it absolutely right. Alas, the growth and development of the state is logically at the shoulders of the youth who are ready to acquiesce the state to the next level.
Having clarity that, the greatest form of disability in life is not knowing your ability. Essentially, the ability to solve problems is the winning edge in life and not the degrees you have acquired nor the certificate you possessed. Thence, against all odds, I have been advocating for good governance a long time, this is an urgent need for a new consciousness and awareness that is needed if patriotic young Kwarans are to stand a chance in leading this state towards its next era, post the so-called “hegemonic experience”.
It is pathetic seeing youths who cluelessly lament about the policies of the government but when asked what is the rationale behind the grievance, they wouldn’t provide any information, the only way to revert their argument is to gawk on those who subscribe to live with sincerity, commitment and loyalty with absolute belief that rebuilding Kwara State is a collective task, they would be tagged #DataBoy. How big this challenge is, is the fact that they find themselves moving too slowly towards rebuilding the state and becoming transformational young leaders. It is heart aching as they are yet to restrospect but aiming to be chanting alleluia to politicians.
The sole interpretation of this to many working across the state and the country at large is that we must work harder to support the development of value-based leadership in preparation for taking advantage of Kwara’s biggest opportunity. There is need for consolidation of the positive socio-economic and educational growth across the state. This requires new mindsets (and heartsets!). Many youth still need to wake up to the fact that they are the vehicles and instruments for the change they seek in the world. Real effective change starts inside. It is an inside job.
It does not matter what skin-wrapping or tongue-articulating you come in; as long as your heart and soul are in Kwara and you consider Kwara home in the true sense of it, then you are Kwaran, and this message is for you. Separating yourself is always attractive and yes, seductive. There is a word for it. It’s called “strategic difference”. This means, heightening aspects of my uniqueness or difference from others to leverage on it for my advantage.
It’s about stepping up to the leadership plate when the doors to lead are flung open for you to walk through. Are you well-equipped to take up the leadership mantle and lead when the old-guard fall by the wayside? Where is your attention? What are you focused on? Where do you expend your energy? Where exactly are you going? Dear Kwara youth, What do you value most in life? Is it your latest gadget, the swanky shoes, the branded clothing, the most expensive liquor that’s over-advertised as a symbol of success, the obsession with car and other consumables, or is it the legacy your whole life will be known for when your time is up?
What is within you that you know is greater than your immediate role in your social circles? We all have greatness within us. Others tap into it, and others piss it away in wasted hours of nothingness fuelled by the need to belong, or to be labelled cool, in the process wasting incredible hours in useless chatter about material rubbish that adds little if any value to the greater good of Kwara, Nigeria and the world.
As a young person, we need to be more self-nurturing, and also nurturing of others in our approach. If you ever laugh at someone because they are too dark/too light, the joke is on you. If you laugh at someone because they are shorter/taller than you, you are the fool. If you look down on someone because they have hair on their head that looks like a poorly kept carpet, you are the chowderhead. If you think less of someone because they are NOT wearing an “expensive” brand, you are the dumb fool giving your money away to buy a new personality, which does not fit.
If you respect people as they are, and take them as they show up without trying to make them fit a frame you have for them, well-done. Keep going. If you make a genuine effort to learn another’s language, and are interested in WHO they are, not who you would like them to be, you’re the leader Kwara needs now, and will lead tomorrow. It’s your world. Go on and lead. Dear Kwara Youth, love the way you are, that is how your creator or whatever higher powers you believe in, intended it to be. Know who you are and embrace yourself with all your natural beauty… the wise ones say that the creator NEVER makes mistakes. He only makes masterpieces.
Dear Young Kwaran, you are a masterpiece just the way you are… look in the mirror without make-up and shout: “I am gorgeous! I am beautiful! And I am smart.” Be “self-loving and respect others”. Always. Don’t rush to grow up, stay open minded to views and opinions of others. Don’t be dogmatic in reasoning about political tents, saying “NO” is better as at when necessary. Your future is not solely in the hand of any Politician; you have a future that is awesome and promising.
