Not too young to run bill; Can the younger ones actually do better?

Let me use this opportunity to analyze the Youths continuous clamor for leadership positions in Nigeria in order to make a better difference. The question is: being young as a leader has it really been of an advantage to Nigerians?

Let’s use the instances of those who have already served the Country at that younger age.

Gov. Yahaya Bello was born on 18th July 1975

He became governor of Kogi State on Jan 27th 2016 aged 40yrs

Anyim Pius Anyim was born 19th Feb. 1961

He was elected senate president in August 2000 aged 39.

Dimeji Bankole was born 14th, Nov. 1969 and elected into house of Rep in 2003 when he was just 34!!!

He later became speaker of house of Rep. in Nov 2007 at 38yrs as a bachelor.

Orji Uzor Kalu was born on 21st, April 1960 and was elected in 1999 at just 39 years as the Governor of Abia State.

Donald Duke was born 30-11-1961, also elected governor of Cross River State in 1999 at 38.

These are some of the Youths who had find themselves in leadership positions.

Do they do things differently?

What indelible mark would you say Dimeji left as speaker being a young man?

What of Orji Uzor Kalu? 

Did he serve Abia differently and better as a young man.

Our problem is not age of aspirants or candidates.

Those who plunged the country into many problems Nigerian are facing today are also Youths.

The active players in the civil war are all youths.

The actors of 1st and 2nd coup of 1966 are all young men.

One of them was Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu.

He was just 29 years then, born on 26th, Feb 1937.

The check out the beneficiaries of subsequent coups, they were also youths.

In fact within the period they carried out the coups! They were in their 20s, 30s and early 40s

One of them was Yakubu Gowon

Yakubu was born 19-10-1934, became head of state in July 1966 at youthful age of just 32!!!

He married his wife, Victoria as a sitting head of state!

What does all these tell you?

Those shouting ‘Not too young to rule’ must also remember ‘Not too young to steal’

Our problem is not age, sex, qualification, tribe or religion of leaders

It is having that determination and commitment to serve

It’s about being God fearing and possessing leadership qualities like Ahmadu Bello, Awolowo, Zik of Africa, M.I. Okpara  and others.

They were also Youths when they came on board

So, it is NOT just about their age

They were determined to serve

It is better to elect 200 year old saint than 20 year old thief

After all in many developed countries of the world, age and experience matter so much to them.

May God bless our country.