Former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took on his
Facebook page to commend and bless Nigeria Youths to mark
Democracy Day in the country.
On his post he listed out some great achievement done by the youths,
He said “Nigeria Youths single handedly created Nollywood, the third
largest movie industry in the world, can be expected to return the favour
and make Nigeria proud.
The Post read:
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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