This is a speech sent by
Bashir Othman Tofa to a meeting organized by YOUTHPIS Kano, held on 30th
June, 2011, in collaboration with Centre for Democratic Research and Training
Centre, Mumbayya House. Headed by Dr. Habu Muhammad Fagge, Politiacl Science
Department, Bayero University , Kano
‘‘Ladies and Gentlemen,
Do not belittle what you are doing. The future
of the youth is directly proportional to the future and fortunes of any community,
any state and any country. The best that can happen is to have an educated and
healthy youth that are busy doing something useful for themselves and for the
society. Without that we are doomed in our communities, in our states and in
our country. Without an educated and verile youth, no meaningful development and,
therefore, no prosperity can be achieved. And of course, no peace.
There is no danger for any
community, state or country, bigger than an illiterate youth wallowing in
unemployment and abject poverty. The biggest enemies to any society are
poverty, diseases, illiteracy and joblessness. These four evils widely prevail in virtually all the Northern states
and a few in the south. Social anomies such as these do breed a terrible anger
that leads to violence, envy, frustration, drug addiction and other vices that
can easily unsettle any society.
The saying that, ‘the youth
are the leaders of tomorrow’ does frighten me. For, if most of our youth are
unemployed hooligans and drug addicts, so will be our leaders tomorrow. If we
allow that to happen because today’s leaders are myopic or lazy or greed, then
it is they that deliberately inflicted this tragedy upon the whole society.
It is not the sole
responsibility of Government, but also that of the society as a whole to find
workable solutions and act on them with speed and determination. The youth also
must be encouraged to individually and in groups discuss their situations and
be determined to redirect their future for a better life.
My advice is that we must
establish Ward committees of responsible residents to help root out all these
evils and establish better life, security and relationships in their wards. If
most of the wards are better, then most of the states are better. If most of
the states are better, then most of the country is better. I have written about
this idea many times, but those in a position to act remain dormant. I will continue
to call for action. The time of talking has passed a few years ago.
The youths are surely the
biggest dilemma of our today’s society and leaders. We have to deal with, and
get out of it without any further delay.
I wish you well and
successful meeting, this time at all times. I hope you will have an actionable
plan at the end of it. If you do, must follow it through.
Bashir Othman Tofa
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