Former President, Goodluck
Jonathan has maintained that Nigerian youths are not lazy.
Jonathan said what Nigerian
youths need was a leader who believes in them and gives them the platform to
showcase their talents.
Recall that President Muhammadu
Buhari while addressing the Commonwealth Business Forum in London, had said
most Nigerian youths wanted everything free without doing anything.
However, Jonathan, in his
Democracy Day message, stressed that Nigerian youths built Nollywood movie
industry from nothing to the third largest film industry in the world.
In the message he posted on his
Facebook wall, the former President also called for peace among Nigerians.
The message reads, “On this
Democracy Day 2018, I want to urge all Nigerians to pray for peace in Nigeria.
We need peace in Nigeria. And it is up to you and I to ensure that our National
Motto: Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress, is a reality and not just mere
rhetoric. I urge Nigerians to understand and accept that nobody’s political,
economic, religious or social ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.
“As this year’s Democracy Day
falls on the holy month of Ramadan, let me seize the opportunity to also extend
Ramadan greetings to the Muslim Ummah. As you pray for Nigeria, I join my faith
with yours and look forward to our prayers being answered by Almighty God.
“There are many opportunities and
crises on the horizon, but we must have the mentality of seeing the opportunity
in crisis rather than the crisis in opportunity.
“We have one of the fastest
growing youth population in the world and we must see this as an opportunity,
not a crisis.
“As I said previously, Nigerian
youths ARE NOT LAZY.
“What our youth need are
opportunities to showcase their positive talents. They need leaders who believe
in them and show affirmation for them through their words and actions.
“Democracy is a game of numbers
and the youths have the numbers. More than 50% of our population are youths. If
we develop policies, programs and projects to empower the youth of Nigeria, the
Nigerian youth, who single handedly created Nollywood, the third largest movie
industry in the world, can be expected to return the favour and make Nigeria
proud.
“And they are already making us
proud both locally and internationally.
“Nigerian youths are showcasing
their brilliance around the world and I want to make special mention of Ukoma
Michael, who at thirteen years of age invented a battery operated fan that
lasts for 19 hours on a full charge. This ingenuity domiciled in Michael should
be encouraged by our leadership.
“Internationally, Princess
Elizabeth Bright and Ramota Tele Lawal, two 22 year old Nigerian youths who in
May of 2018 became the youngest elected councillors in the United Kingdom, have
made us proud. Very proud indeed.
“These youths are the epitome of
the hardworking, talented, innovative and ambitious Nigerian youth who make our
nation respected in the community of nations and give us hope for tomorrow and
national pride for today.
“Rather than discourage them with
our words and actions, we as leaders must give our youths hope by using our
language to draw out the very best in them. We must accept that nations only
grow when elders plant trees whose shade they know they may never personally
enjoy. Leaders must think of the next generation and not just the next
election.
“While we celebrate Ukoma,
Elizabeth and Ramota, I know that there are perhaps millions in Nigeria who are
equally brilliant and only need the right enabling environment to unleash their
creative genius. They are my inspiration on this Democracy Day. They are the
reason why I believe in the continued corporate existence of this great nation
founded on justice, equity and freedom.
“Happy Democracy Day. God bless
you and your family and may God bless Nigeria. GEJ.”
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