Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, has highlighted the critical role that young people play in driving change and the responsibilities of leaders to empower them.
Cardinal Onaiyekan warned that patience might not be the best solution at a time when the nation is struggling. “Young people cannot and should not be patient. They should show their eagerness to bring about change and improve the country. They have always been at the forefront of change throughout history,” he asserted.
Onaiyekan began by acknowledging the efforts of young Nigerians who are striving for peace and development despite the challenges they face.
“I congratulate the efforts of young people, who are working towards peace and development in the country. I encourage them to continue pursuing peace using their religious values,” he said.
However, he also emphasized that the current state of affairs demands more than just patience and perseverance.
The Archbishop’s statements come at a time when the youth are increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with the status quo. Nigeria, with over 60% of its population under the age of 25, is a nation of young people.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s unemployment rate stood at 33.3% as of the last quarter of 2020, with youth unemployment even higher at 42.5%. This stark reality underscores the urgency of addressing the needs and aspirations of the country’s young population.
Cardinal Onaiyekan pointed out that young people are not being given adequate attention, space, or encouragement by those in power. “Young people want to participate and contribute to the peace and development of the nation, but they have not been given adequate attention, space, or encouragement by those in control,” he noted..
To address the growing discontent, Cardinal Onaiyekan urged Nigeria’s leaders to create an environment that allows young people to work, succeed, and realize their potential. He stressed the importance of listening to young people and understanding their needs and aspirations.
“Leaders should be aware of the natural desire of young people to achieve their destiny. They should create an environment for young people to work and succeed, and listen to their concerns,” he advised.
The Archbishop also highlighted the importance of sincerity in government programs aimed at youth development. He criticized token gestures, such as the distribution of small sums of money, which he argued do not address the underlying issues.
“Many young people say they have never seen these programmes. We need sincerity and avenues for young people to succeed, not just token efforts like distributing 50,000 naira,” he said.
Cardinal Onaiyekan believes that young people can play a pivotal role in revitalising the economy if given the right tools and opportunities. He called for the creation of an environment where young people can use their skills and creativity to generate wealth.
“We must create wealth by creating an environment for young people to work with their hands and minds. The government should listen to young people and understand how they want to be helped. We need sincerity, not lies,” he stated.
In response to the protests and the growing unrest, the government has introduced several initiatives, including the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease transportation costs.
However, Cardinal Onaiyekan expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such measures in addressing the root causes of the discontent. “I am not sure that initiatives like CNG buses will address the concerns raised. We need to harness our resources, like gas, to create energy and opportunities for young people,” he said.
