1 Can we meet you sir?
1 My
name is Adetoye D. Adeolu, a medical doctor trained at Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife. Born well over two decades ago in Osogbo, I hail from
Okeigbo in Ondo State. I am presently a National Youth service Corps member
working with Ilesa West Local Government, Osun State.
T On the state of the nation, do you think the ongoing National Conference is a step towards achieving a new Nigeria?
1. I believe the National Conference is a good idea;
it’s a step towards achieving a new nation. We live in a country where people
gather in small groups every day at newspaper stands, suya spots, beer parlors,
offices and even places of worship to, among other businesses, complain about
the state of the nation, so it’s an opportunity to be heard. Again, it’s well
known that no matter how close our political office holders used to be to the
people or how sympathetic they seem to be during electioneering campaigns, no
matter how much compassion they profess in their pre-election speeches, they
seem to lose them all once they assume office. This will, for once, bridge that
gap.
T Taking
a critical look at the choice of delegates to the conference, do you believe
that Nigerians, especially the youths, are adequately represented?
I
fully subscribe to how the delegation was distributed. I understand the plight
of the organizing committee as touching ethnic nationalities. Looking at the
list, I believe youths are fairly well represented considering history. One
might argue, however, that it can be better. Apart from the provisions for
youth organizations, I believe the other parties, like the states, should have
considered more youthful representation.
Like someone
said, some names have been in the news since the time of J. F. Kennedy; the same
names are still in the news in the time of Obama. There is already a section
for elder statesmen. Leaders in Nigeria,
especially politicians, should learn to leave the stage when the ovation is
loud, they should imbibe the spirit of selflessness. No matter how much you
know, if u cannot transfer that knowledge, you have failed. Nelson Mandela
did not attain the ‘citizenship of the world’ by holding on to power, but by
letting go! It was because he understands the law of sowing and reaping, he
believed he had shown the way and he trusted his successor to follow suit.
We live in a
rapidly changing, youth dominated world. Thankfully, Nigerian youths are very
interested in governance; now even more so. So, we should be adequately carried
along, we have a lot to contribute. I have always thought that our fathers
failed us because we hear stories; stories of the ‘good old days’, stories of
scholarships, sound education, adequate feeding and clothing, choice of
employment and care. I have also heard that one of the earliest demonstrations
by a student group in Nigeria was when a student found a foreign object in his
food at the University of Ibadan, how comfortable! I have always wondered why
such was not passed to us, but then I realized that there was a gap between them
(our fathers) and their own fathers. Recurrence is possible and can be
prevented. The youth
representatives, therefore, have the duty to prove that more can be committed
to their hands.
1
A huge sum of
#7billion was budgeted for the conference. It was also reported that a sum of #4million
will be given to each of the 492 delegates and 6 government officials per month
for accommodation. What’s your opinion on this?
# 7billion
is such a huge amount and #4million for each delegate monthly, too much!
#12million as allowance is a potential distraction for delegates. However, I am
not worried about it, I am not so moved by the amount given what we intend to
achieve. I am angry, however, about the missing $20billion (or
whatever amount). I am worried about government spending wastefully and
unaccountably. Just last week, I read in the news that the House of Reps has uncovered
another missing #35billion. I’m also worried about what happens to the outcome
of this conference. I would vote for a referendum rather than taking it to the
national assembly. What if one of the conclusions of the conference bears
strongly on the national assembly and its members, how can they be a judge in
their own case? And again I do not believe there should be any no-go areas.
1 In all honesty,
how do you think Nigerians can bring about genuine change in the country?
Nigerians
should show more genuine, selfless interest in how things are done, we should
always be ready to ask questions and hold our leaders accountable to their
promises. We should not just vote them and then leave them. We should always,
as individuals, show commitment to sound leadership by being good leaders of
ourselves. We are the ‘people’ in the definition of democracy. We must know our
rights so we can demand for them.
1 What is your advice for the Nigerian
youths?
There
is an adage in Benue state, “the best time to plant a tree is 10years ago, and
the second best time is now”. Let us act now, laziness is one major factor
limiting us; we want to be rich without working and now we know that the
shortest course may not always be the safest. As it is written in a book I
often refer to, “the glory of a youth is in his strength”. Let us put our
strength to work. Opportunities will come but will you be ready? We must also be
disciplined to delay gratification. Work while you work. Delaying gratification
makes rest more enjoyable; do not eat your seed, plant it, tend to it, be
patient and wait for the fruits.
E: hrfnigeria@gmail.com
P: 08148327860
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