As 2019 general elections gather momentum, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has challenged Nigerian youths to fi ght for leadership space by upstaging older generation of politicians currently ruling the country in diff erent capacities. He maintained that unless youths wrestle for power, aged leaders would not quit the stage. Obasanjo said, he was Head of State at the age of 39, while General Yakubu Gowon occupied same offi ce at the age of 33, adding that nothing stops present day youths to become president at age of 30 or 35.
He was, however, quick to add that such youths must have carved a niche for themselves in their chosen careers. Th e former president spoke on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, at the second edition of Youth Governance Dialogue, organised by the Youth Development Centre of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, to mark International Youth Day, 2017. “Why would you have to become President at the age of 40? Why can’t you become President at the age of 35? Why can’t you become President at the age of 30? General Gowon became Head of State at 33. I became the Head of State at 39.
And it is because of my track record and thanks to Abacha for putting me in jail, those were the two reasons why I had the opportunity to come back as the elected President of Nigeria. Th e point is this, how are you prepared? Are you really prepared?” Obasanjo maintained that leadership is never given, but has to be fought for, adding that moral and values required for leadership in a Nigerian society had been eroded. Th e former head of state said the nation was in dire need of leaders who are sound educationally and spiritually, saying,
“in Nigeria, we are religious but not spiritual.” He called on Nigerian youths to remain united, be good citizens and contribute to the development of their fatherland. On his foray into politics, Obasanjo recalled: “I joined politics from the top. Th e only position I contested for in Nigeria is the Presidency, but I had track record which led to that. Nobody will choose you, you have to choose yourself. Saraki will not leave until you ask him to leave. “When we talk about youth in leadership position, the point is, How are you prepared? Are you really prepared?
“People ask questions that what is the diff erent between Nigeria of 1960 and Nigeria of today. In 1950, 1960, they were values but today, values have been eroded. “As a youth, you have to carve a niche for yourself. Stop complaining. Don’t expect people to leave or shift. For instance, as I am standing, when you come to me and ask me to leave or shift, I may not respond. “But when three or four of you come to me, two by my right hand side and two at my left, and you press me together, I will have no option than to quit the space.” In his address, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi SAN, who spoke on “Th e role of our youth in
contributing to the Peace and Stability of the Nation,” harped on unity of African and Nigeria. Agabi asked Nigerian youths to always persevere, resolute and pursue the unity and peace of Nigeria. He described Obasanjo as epitome of perseverance and urged the youth to emulate him. “If Obasanjo could make it, you can also make it. He went to army and survived. You will agree with me that not everybody who went into army survived. He was sent to prison and he survived. He was sentenced to death but here he is today,” Agabi said.
Also speaking, another former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, who chaired the occasion, asked youths to eschew violence, but remain peaceful and committed to Nigeria’s development. “Youths of Nigeria must take their destiny into their hands. Th ink of what you can do for your country and not what your country can do for you”, the legal luminary urged.
