Even if it
is not often talked about, the passion of Nigerian youths to make impact and
stand out despite all odds, continues to remain evident. But in a country that is
often enmeshed in one politically-related controversy or the other, not much
attention is often focused to discussing issues that relate to the youths.
It therefore should not come as a surprise that an initiative like the
recently-held The Future Awards, which seeks to celebrate the success of young
Nigerians who can be of inspiration to others, should ignite a commentary. This
year’s edition of the awards held Sunday, January 13, 2008 at the Muson Centre
in Lagos.
Organized by RedSTRAT, a youth-focused communications company equally managed by
three outstanding young Nigerians, Emilia Asim-Ita, Adebola Williams and Chude
Jideonwo, The Future Awards, going by media reports, has become an event which
young people eagerly look forward to since it was commenced three years ago.
This year, young Nigerians who have distinguished themselves among their peers
emerged winners in categories like Entrepreneur of the Year, Journalist of the
Year, Professional of the Year, Musician of the Year, On-Air Personality of the
Year, Best Use of Advocacy and Young Person of the Year among others. Dr. Oby
Ezekwezili, former Education minister and Vice President of the World Bank, was
key note speaker at the awards.
For pursuing such a noble dream and staging it in such a massive and flamboyant
manner, the organizers, all under 25 years, deserve national commendation. Such
initiative as the Future Awards is a tribute to courage, a salute to excellence
and industry, and a discouragement of mediocrity in any or all of its forms.
However, for such a laudable patriotic initiative, it is saddening that most of
the major brands in the country, especially in very lucrative sectors like
telecommunications, oil and gas, and banking rarely showed concrete support to
the awards despite its significance. For instance, of all the mega banks in the
country, and despite the multi-billion naira profits they declare in the papers,
only one bank, First Inland bank, found such initiative for Nigerian youths
worthy of its support.
To buttress this worrisome attitude of some of the banks, I would share an
experience I had with a bank official recently. We were discussing an issue that
could be of benefit to youths particularly undergraduates. I was dumbfounded
when the official said the bank had no corporate social responsibility (CSR)
initiative for Nigerian universities and undergraduates in any way whatsoever.
His confession is despite the fact that the bank is publicly perceived as being
youth-friendly with many of its adverts targeting young people especially fresh
graduates.
Such disappointing revelation, of course, would not come as any surprise for
those who understand the internal workings of some of these banks. It goes on to
fuel the negative impression that many of them are only interested in ventures
where they can get maximize returns and publicity from their sponsorship rather
than the benefits it could bring to the potential beneficiaries of their good
gestures or the fatherland.
However, beyond the Future Awards, and the nonchalant attitude of the banks,
another important point must be stressed.
As a people, we should be able to identify from among us, those who, despite
their low and humble backgrounds, have gone ahead to make a success of
themselves through legitimate and verifiable means despite the seeming
insurmountable odds against them. Such people who were born without silver
spoons but whose stories and positive contributions really qualify as inspiring.
People whose strength of character, integrity and patriotic zeal are
unmistakable! Those who are making impact and already leaving their indelible
footprints for posterity!
And why do I say this? It is far easier for children from privileged backgrounds
to quickly ‘make it’ with support from the stupendous wealth of their rich
parents. Some of these parents of course, also got their riches from means that
can be linked to our collective national wealth. Or which child is it who would
not be happy to have the best of education in some of the world’s best schools
and universities in the US and UK? And which youth is it who would not jump up
in excitement with the prospect of getting quick job on graduation either as a
manager in the parent’s company or even float a new one with easy to get capital
from the family?
The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo it was who noted that the true success of a
man is determined not by the height he has attained, but the depth from which he
is coming from. I can’t agree less.
So while we are wont to celebrating the outstanding ones among us, (which we
don’t even do well anyway since we are yet to truly identify our long-standing
National heroes and icons), it’s equally good we take the pains to identify
those who have managed to attain enviable heights in life despite the unenviable
depths they are coming from, by encourage them, and showcasing them as true
heroes and role models.
However, much more important, is the need for us to provide opportunities and
platforms for the youths to maximize their talents towards contributing
meaningfully to national development, and in the process, also actualizing their
own dreams in life. The pretentious statements especially from government that
it is interested in youth development while majority of young Nigerians are yet
to directly feel the impact of its youth development initiatives should no
longer continue. Government must demonstrate it in diverse and innovative ways
that it strongly believes in its youths because they are truly the country’s
future.
Finally, there is no extent to the greatness of this country when young people
with their great dreams and passions are institutionally supported to deliver it
successfully. Such initiatives would be for the common good. An example of such
is the The Future Awards which held in Lagos days ago. Such initiative, even
without overwhelming support from government, is an inspiring reference of the
quest for excellence in Nigeria’s young people. But it’s also a tip of the
iceberg of what Nigerian youths can do when supported to pursue and deliver
their dreams. Simply put, investing in the youths will help speed up Nigeria’s
journey to becoming a truly great nation.
O’Femi Kolawole, a Journalist and Author, Maximising Internship Potentials, writes from
5 Church Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos.
Contact : ofemigan@yahoo.com
"We must become the change we seek in the World"
-
Mahatma Ghandi
