A LIE MY TEACHER TOLD ME

Growing up, while I was still in secondary school, my teacher used to constantly remind us with the saying "The Youths are the leaders of tomorrow", it was in many ways very inspiring to me and many youths because there seemed to be some kind of genuine concern on the part of the Nigerian leadership subtly saying that the youths were not forgotten. I suppose they still use these same rhetoric’s today, but I am not sure, to what extent, the youths trust any such conciliatory pronouncements.
Sane societies would be spending time and resources educating their youths about the fundamental principles of life in a democracy, thereby exposing them to successful role models as well as strengthening their self-esteem and confidence whilst providing educational experiences in the field of civic rights which encourages social involvement and bridging cultural diversities.
However, Nigeria lacks this, the various governments over the years have rather created directly or passively a more confused and disorganised Nigeria, through
their selfish lame visions, uncaring attitudes and unrealistic set targets and goals. Thereby promoting a culture of lameness and laziness, unintelligent citizenry, noncompetitive workforce, uninspiring students who cannot compete in the 21st century world of technology either because they lack the educational incentives needed for such or their lecturers are outdated/falling behind the development in teaching skills and modernised teaching tools, or the universities closed down due to one avoidable strike or the other, the effect of these has given birth to what we know as extension of secondary schools in the name of Private Universities. Nigeria cannot cope like this, her place among the comity of nations is fast depreciating, and the pride of self assumed Giant of Africa is now known to be giant in size and not in substance. People would rather live in the Ant of Africa where basic human dignity and sense of self worth is enriched, than live in a giant form that has no sense of belonging.
How can the youths be leaders of tomorrow, when they have not even been given a proper chance to prove their potentials in today’s world? As Nobel laureate in Literature, Pearl S. Buck, puts it, “though the young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible, and achieve it generation after generation”.
As youths, it is time for us to stand for our right, defend the truth and expose corruption
For sure one thing is certain, it is either my teacher lied to me or just maybe, tomorrow is yet come.

Written by Ifiok Flex