Let the Old Nurture the Youth to Greatness in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government | By OYEDE Saheed
Whoever the powers-that-be choose as the next Chairman should demonstrate a convincing commitment…
The uproar that my reflections on the selection of the next Local Government Chairman for Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government have generated, especially from the political angle, has necessitated this follow-up article (click to read – Reflections on the Selection of the Next Local Government Chairman for Ado-Odo/Ota, Ogun State | By OYEDE Saheed)
First, let’s be clear about this: I am a youth and a youth advocate with profound omoluwabi respect for the elders. As a Prince of the soil, I have every equal right to voice my opinions about the political future of my dear Local Government, especially as a bona fide loyal APC party member.
I must acknowledge that everyone who has contributed to the discussion so far has done so within their fundamental rights. At least one thing we cannot take away from my reflections is that the write-up has brought the issue of our local government leadership back to the forefront.
In everything I penned down, I identified the PROBLEMS and proposed SOLUTIONS. This is how I was tutored at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for my Doctorate Degree.
In the first paragraph of the said article, I argued that the APEX leadership of the APC in our Local Government should prioritize competency, capacity, and someone with a profound understanding of our community and its challenges.
This first paragraph provided the SOLUTION, setting the tone for the second paragraph by identifying one of the immediate PROBLEMS of our Local Government: our poor waste management system. I then proposed the SOLUTION that the waste management issue should be immediately addressed.
Furthermore, I wrote that whoever the powers-that-be choose as the next Chairman should demonstrate a convincing commitment to tackle our poor waste management practices; the person must have capacity and courage.
READ ALSO Attention Ogun Ministry of Environment: Outbreak of disease looms in Sango-Otta as heaps of uncleared refuse litter
In paragraph three, I argued that all other appointments (e.g., Councilors, Supervisors, Special Advisers, etc.) must be scrutinized. I extended the argument further, stating that it is time for us to move away from an old people-dominated system at our local government level. Remember, I am an advocate of the youth. Many of these old individuals see local government appointments as a retirement gift, and I argued for vibrant youth.
Currently, the majority of those aspiring to be our next Local Government Chairman are youth (about 96% of them), so it is not out of place for me to lend my voice in support of my youth constituency.
For context, I was challenged to list the outgoing Local Government Appointees above fifty years old. To everyone’s shock, I provided some names, including individuals over 60 years old, and one appointee over 70. After identifying this anomaly, I proposed a SOLUTION: the very old should be cared for or managed in an alternative arrangement. While I advocate for the youth, I also advocate for the very old.
In the fourth paragraph of my write-up, I specifically advocated for a local government leadership composition that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of our local government due to its cosmopolitan nature.
One additional plea I have for our APEX Leaders of our Local Government is to emulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) in appointing youths to various positions within our Local Government.
President Tinubu has set the pace as a youth-friendly President by appointing several youths to key positions across Nigeria, dear APEX Leaders, please let it cascade to the Local Government level too.
Thank you.
Prince OYEDE Saheed, PhD writes from Ota, Ogun State.
