By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
A note of warning has been sounded that, with the way things are going in Nigeria, particularly the neglect of Youths in the scheme of things coupled with the current hardship, there are symptoms of revolt looming large in the horizon of Nigeria.
The assertion was made by a former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State during the administration of immediate past Governor, MA Abubakar SAN, Alh. Abdu Sule Katagum during the 1st Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Youths summit held in Bauchi on Tuesday.
The former Deputy Governor was quoting the late astute politician, late Dan Masanin Kano, Alh. Yusuf Maitama Sule stressing that “the symptoms of revolt were as a result of the fact that the country lacked philosophy and lack of creativity in literature among others.”
According to him, “Insecurity has taken all the polity, chaos in our politics, immorality in our society, corruption in our economy and lack of creativity in literature. Because of all these, there are symptoms of revolt looming large in the horizon,” he stated as he was quoting the late Dan Masanin Kano.
According to him, “the situation is still the same now if not even worst. It is sad that the youths who are the future leaders of tomorrow have to grow up and mature through this cells cave, dark dungeon of pity and hopelessness.”
He continued, “What do you expect of the Youths? If you grow a plant in the dark and dark place, it will not gloom but will shrivel and die.”
“I don’t blame the youth for what is happening in Nigeria right now, I blame we, the parents because we are the ones who gave birth to you, guided you but up till today, we have not been able to make Nigeria the kind of country that everyone wants to live in,” he added.
He added that, “We have not made Nigeria a place to be proud of. It is our fault. It is us, your parents, guardians, elders who have imbibed corruption and have cut corners to achieve their aims and objectives in life.”
Abdul Sule Katagum added that,”It is your parents, your guardians and elders who have bribed officials and teachers to gain advantages their children.”
According to him, “It is us who used Western education we have acquired to capture the state and acquired state assets illegally. Above all, We are the ones who have left the teachings of our religions both Islam and Christianity and have adopted the religion of greed and primitive acquisition of wealth.”
“So, the Youths of today, unfortunately we have to take this burden off our shoulders and put it on yours. First and foremost, I was not impressed when I came in this morning with the Youths, because time is of very essence in life,”he added.
According to him,”I remember when His Excellency, Mohammed Abubakar SAN was the Governor, I was his Chief of Staff, if there was an occasion for 10am, it was politically right for the Governor to wait till the hall filled up, which means the Governor will not come until hours later. I said no as Chief of Staff, if you tell the Governor to come at 10am, he will be there at the time even if there’s nobody in the hall.”
He stressed that,”That is the only way to start changing our country. We should stop this don’t worry, we give Nigerian time, what is Nigerian Time, Nigeria doesn’t have any time. And thar is the result of what we have right now. Youths, it is very important for all of you to know that the burden is on you now because you are the leaders, you have tomorrow. We have had our own times, it is up to you.”
According to him,”The Youths have grown up being close to their parents, guardians and so on. They see big houses, big cars, continous marriage of new wives and they believe that, those are what it takes to be a successful person. But they forget that it is what you put into your country that is most important. Wealth is God given. If you make wealth, there are so many ways to make wealth. If you want to be a rich person, then go into real and legitimate business.”
He stressed that,”Don’t come into Government and say that you must cut corners and make it. If you want to make money in government, you have to do some funny businesses before you make the money. So if you want to make money, you want to be wealthy in life, don’t go into government. Leave people’s wealth to government, go and make your own money somewhere else.”
“I want to say something about my boss, former Governor of Bauchi State, people tend to think that most Governors come, they just see the whole treasury and just write a cheque of N1b and say bring it to my house, it doesn’t work that way, there is no money in government. I use to remember MA Abubakar SAN used to say, there’s nothing in the treasury to steal and you can’t steal what is not there,” he enthused.
He admonished the Youths not to have the mentality of making money at all cost but to remember that they have a lot of things to do to make Nigeria great again by ensuring effective and efficient leadership.
He also told them not to be confused about wealth making but concentrate on wealth creation through legitimate means knowing that people will ask questions about the sources of sudden wealth.
“As a father, I’m accepting that we have failed in all aspects in bringing up the youth in Nigeria. So, it is up to you, but I think, what we have done and what we have shown the Youths in the country is that you people can change, how can you change, you should be very careful how you choose leaders of your dear country, don’t be fooled by the sweet coated tongues, don’t be fooled by the Talia or the rice or temporary things that are been brought, anybody who dies that, is a businessman, he’s coming to buy this power from you, you vote for him and he goes to Abuja, you will never see him again until Four years later,” he said.
Also speaking, a former Governor of the state, Mohammed Abdullahi (SAN), advised the Youths not to relegate themselves into the background by becoming the violent supporters or political thugs of politicians.
He said that they have all what it takes and the numbers to make a difference and change the world.
In his address, State Commissioner of Youths and Sports Development, Mohammed Salis, tasked Youths in the state to be more innovative and creative so as to stand out among millions of youth in the country.
He said that, “you can use smartphones to embrace digital training and stop abusing your smartphone on frivolities”.
