#NotTooYoungtoRun: Reflections Of A Rookie Activist, By Iyin Toluhi

Having witnessed the positive outcome of the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign, I will begin to prepare and build myself, knowing that in a few years, I, too, will be eligible to run. I will also raise awareness of the age reduction amendment, and support other politically aspiring youth who are now #NotTooYoungToRun.

It was a peaceful gathering outside the gate of the National Assembly on July 25, 2017, having walked from Unity Fountain, guided by the able leaders of the #NotTooYoungToRun movement. As I paced about, greeted by the hopeful conversations that filled the waiting time, I felt strongly that we are ready and able, as the youth of Nigeria, to take up leadership roles, if given the chance.

I was encouraged by the words of the representatives and senators that came forth to address us.

Among the supporters of the NotTooYoungtoRun bill was Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, who said “I know what it feels like to know that the law doesn’t work in your favour.” These words comforted in such a way that I could tell that our representatives truly desired to represent every group to the best of their ability.

In other moments, however, I felt quite discouraged. Among us in the gathering were several youth without decorum or respect for the cause. No one was forced to come out for the march, yet at 12:30pm some people were yelling out that they had work to get back to. Still, others murmured about hunger and the sun, so far as to describe their ears as being deaf when asked if they could hear what was being said. Yet, most others maintained the same passion and willingness to stay with the group as they had shown the moment they arrived.

As I passed by the many who showed no care for the issue at hand, I began to wonder, “Are we as Nigerians truly ready to have young leaders?” This silent thought within me, however, was countered by an ancient truth: “The empty barrels make the loudest noise.”

It is easier to notice the people who were discouraged at the slightest provocation, than those who patiently stood for hours, praying within them that their efforts would yield a fruitful response.

With great joy, I learnt from a mentor of mine on July 26, 2017 that the age reduction amendment was passed in the Senate, and subsequently in the House of Representatives the following day.

From a distance, passersby would have seen either the willing, the restless, the ill-mannered, or all three, and peradventure jump to the conclusion that it shows the youth must be kept aside until they are ‘mature’. However the behaviour of some people in the group cannot suffice as a yardstick to measure the ability of the youth. To do so would be like expelling 2,000 students of a school on account of two drug dealers found in their midst.

With great joy, I learnt from a mentor of mine on July 26, 2017 that the age reduction amendment was passed in the Senate, and subsequently in the House of Representatives the following day.

To some Nigerians, mostly in the category of parents of young adults and teens, this may not be good news. For some it is because they might suffer the humiliation of being led rightly by individuals of a younger generation, who would execute the beneficial plans that they had previously hoped the older generation would carry out. For some others, it would be their fear that Nigerian youths are generally misguided.

If I may ask, why do so many Nigerians (including the youth themselves) fear that Nigerian youths are misguided? Haven’t parents – who were born in the era of Nigeria’s fresh independence – put all the necessary pressure on their children to ensure they make A+ in school and study the best sounding postgraduate course, without concern whether the educational system-induced regurgitation of intellectual information was not thoroughly vomited for good?

Hasn’t it been made clear, by example, that to be in authority is to sin with impunity? Perhaps the fear is aroused by the guilt of knowing that the 1960s did not impart in the 1980s a patriotic spirit? As the proverb says, “A lion cannot give birth to a goat.”

It is common knowledge that not every 45+ year old individual in Nigeria is capable of leading a nation or constituency, simply because not every individual has prepared his or herself for leadership responsibility.

In my opinion, the traits found in many ‘leaders of tomorrow’ were learned as most among the previous generation strove to be a name and not of service to the next generation, despite enjoying the fruits of the labour of our heroes past.

Paraphrasing Senator Dino Melaye as he spoke at the #NotTooYoungToRun rally, “It is not the age that is our biggest concern but the energy of the youth.” From the age of 18, the Nigerian government believes an individual knows what traits must exist in a candidate to make them worth voting in. Hon. Tony Nwulu repeatedly said, “If they are not too young to vote, they cannot be too young to run.”

Furthermore, since the decisions made by the lawmakers directly and majorly affect youth who make up nearly 70 percent of the population, youth should be represented at the policy making table. I believe with Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, that similarly they should be allowed to be voted in, seeing as they have the capacity to judge between the expedient and the profitable.

It is common knowledge that not every 45+ year old individual in Nigeria is capable of leading a nation or constituency, simply because not every individual has prepared his or herself for leadership responsibility.

Rallying for the age reduction amendment is in no way an attempt to underestimate the role and efforts of the present leaders, whose contemporaries ruled in their 20s. In contrast, as stated by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, opportunities for youth to have a place in leadership would be an opportunity for intergenerational dialogue and the exchange of precious knowledge. It would also be an uplifting of democracy, wherein the people would be limited or given room, not based on their age but by their capacity and the content of their character.

Having witnessed the positive outcome of the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign, I will begin to prepare and build myself, knowing that in a few years, I, too, will be eligible to run. I will also raise awareness of the age reduction amendment, and support other politically aspiring youth who are now #NotTooYoungToRun.

Iyin Toluhi is a member of Girl Lead Hub Network. She is 18 years old and hopes to study and pursue a career in Electronics and Information Engineering. She is passionate about helping young ladies find their God-ordained purpose in life. Iyin tweets via @Iyindara

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