Angry Letter to the Nigerian Youth

By Bayo Adeyinka

My dear Nigerian Youth,

I am very angry and that is why I am addressing you. You are the source of my anger and I want to vent my spleen- maybe not at you directly- but at the arrogance of your ignorance. Of all nations of the world, you are to be most pitied. Do you still wonder what you have done?

You don’t have an Ivy League education but with the little below-standard education you got, all you could do with it is to write a petition against someone with the benefit of an Ivy League education. You can’t even run your personal economy as you’re almost always and perpetually broke yet you arrogate to yourself superior knowledge about the nation’s economy.

You sit in front of a computer and rant all day through social media but with every click, you make money- not for yourself- but for Mark Zuckerberg. With every megabyte of data you spend complaining and maligning, you make stupendous bucks for Etisalat, Glo and Airtel.

Over the next two years, the number of Nigerian millionaires will jump by 47% but most likely you will not be among because you are too busy whining and complaining. And yet about 60% of Nigeria’s 170m population are below 35 years. Oh, what a waste!

By the way, Mark Zuckerberg was 19 when he started facebook. Africa’s youngest billionaire, Ashish Thakkar, is 31. He escaped from the Rwandan genocide and relocated to Uganda where he started an IT business. Collin Thornton, who made his millions by fixing bad computers and setting up Dial-a-Nerd, is 35. Adam Horowitz, an 18-year-old entrepreneur, started 30 websites in 3 years before he became successful.

The only thing you have ever started is an online petition. Have you heard of Jason Njoku? He’s 33 and the founder of Iroko TV. He received $8m investment into his company just a few years ago. What he does? Sharing the same Nollywood films that you spend hours to watch online. He didn’t just hang around waiting for Buhari to make something happen or blaming Jonathan for not making anything happen.

Kamal Budhabhatti was deported from Kenya but while on the flight, he thought of the opportunities in Kenya. He found his way back after 6 months and today his company is valued at $30m. He’s 36. Have you heard of Chinedu Echeruo? Apple just paid $1b for his app. He’s a Nigerian like you and all he did was attempt to fix a problem.

But for you, the only thing you attempt to fix are your nails- and your hairdo! Chinedu moved to New York in 1995 and found it difficult to navigate the city with ease so he developed HopStop to fix the problem. Stop listing all the problems- we know them already but what are you doing about them?

Awolowo was 37, Akintola was 36, Ahmadu Bello was 36, Tafawa Balewa was 34, Okotie-Eboh was 27 and Enahoro was 27 at the time of independence of Nigeria. In 1966, the first coup was led by Kaduna Nzeogwu (29) and stopped by Murtala Mohammed (28), TY Danjuma (28), IBB (25), Sanni Abacha (23) and Shehu Yaradua (23). It brought in Yakubu Gowon as Head of State at 32 and Obasanjo at 29. You are in your 40s and you still sag your trousers.

Of course you know Linda Ikeji. You’ve spent hundreds of hours on her blog laughing and commenting while she smiles her way to the bank. She’s just built a house for her father in the village- just by you clicking on her gossip and sharing. Your day is not complete without a stop by at her blog. She was as broke as you are but she turned a hobby into a business. Are you that void of understanding?

You think the politicians have any regard for you? That is why I referred to the arrogance of your ignorance at the beginning of this diatribe. You have a false estimation of yourself. You have an over bloated ego. You are only as good as an election ticket- pure and simple.

You are only good to used and discarded like a used ballot paper. Who keeps a used ballot paper anyway? That is why they only remember you every four years. You are like a menstrual pad that is only useful during the menstrual period. Are you hurt? Okay, let me help you. Have you heard of Prof Olusola Adeyeye before?

He is a Senator of the Federal Republic at the moment. But before he became a senator, he was popular on facebook. Even more popular than so many latter day facebookivists. I was one of his many followers. He put up posts after posts and pander to populist thinking. Then he was elected and one of the first things he did was to deactivate his facebook account. Yes, you read me right. Deactivate. How many times do you still see El-Rufai’s tweets? No longer regular? That is how it will dwindle until he disappears totally. I’m not limiting it to the aforementioned alone and this is not about any party. They are all the same.

Yet you falsely believe your future is in the hands of one politician. You will grow grey hair with that belief. And by the time you wise up, you’re on your way to the grave- not with a life expectancy of less than 60 years in this clime. Can you see you have wasted your time? And possibly your life? See, people have been complaining since independence. And they will still complain in 4 years. Will you be among them?

I agree with my friend who said Nigerian youth need mental detoxification. And maybe I should add that you need a brain transplant. Let me give you another example. I’ve watched you try to pull some people down when you don’t like their face- or their comments. You report them to facebook. And they get pulled down. Momentarily. Just momentarily.

Do you know why? Facebook knows those people draw traffic. Their posts get huge numbers of comments. And with every comment and click, someone is making money. Will you allow your best customers to leave? That is why though facebook pulled down Adeyinka Grandson’s page, he was given a facebook fan page in return. Yes, a fan page. You need to get a job and you need to get a life. There is life away from facebook or social media.

If you’re not making money from social media and you sleep on it, you’re merely existing- you’re not living. I have seen some of you take selfies and pose in all manner of ways as you paste your photos on social media. Are you a photographer or are you selling something that we don’t know? You’re unemployed because you’re unemployable. You don’t have skills. Sorry, the major skill you have is that of pointing out the problems and debating about them. That’s a no brainer! You can’t even diagnose the problems properly.

You think Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala is your problem? You are a self-inflicted problem. You are afflicted with yourself and by yourself. If you’re looking for the reason why you are the way you are- look no further than your mirror. Instead of occupying Nigeria, you should occupy your brain. The only witch chasing you from your village is you. It’s time to stop bewitching yourself.

Stop whining about lack of electricity or fuel. Do something about it. Every adversity has a seed of opportunity embedded in it. Create something. Invent something. Start something. Read up a book. Write a book. Take advantage of the present situation. Nigeria is a huge market. Nigeria is a virgin market. Waiting for you. Unleash yourself. Release your passion. Follow your potential. Invent your way to prosperity. Stop waiting for government- government only needs you when they need your taxes. Don’t depend on welfare. People who depend on welfare don’t fare well.

You think you lack capital? No, the problem is not lack of capital but lack of ideas. Just today, two men stepped into my wife’s office selling the new portraits of Buhari and Osinbajo. That’s someone grabbing an opportunity and seizing the moment. I have a friend who started out by offering after-school lessons to kids on her street- now she has a school.

I know a lady who was indigent and self-sponsored on campus. Each night, she soaked beans and made ‘moin-moin’ in the morning for sale on campus. I bought out of the moin moin as well as some other students and that was how she paid her way through University. Not prostitution. Have you heard of Ayodeji Megbope? She started her business with the last N1,000 she had on her by making moin moin. She is the CEO of No Leftovers.

I have shared the story of ‘Akara Ayo’ and invited him to talk to us before. He left his banking job to start a business frying Akara (bean cake) in Ibadan. And added some innovation to it.

Start a snail farm. You can start it with less than N100,000. I started it with nothing- I just picked up snails in my compound and raised them. In a couple of months, I had raised close to a thousand. You have a car and you are complaining you don’t have a job? Convert it for car hire. Take it to the airports and see how people will hire it for the day. Liase with good hotels and place it at their disposal. I met a young man in Calabar who charges N1,500 per hour for the use of his car. There is something in your hand that can give you the future you want. The best moment to start is now.

For God’s sake, just do something!

NB: This is just an article to stir up and challenge people and it’s intention is not derogatory in any form.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/angry-letter-to-the-nigerian-youth/#sthash.w2ZLuvRV.dpuf

What a sophiscated write up.Youths instead of working to better their lives are contented with staying idle and throwing jabs at the government for not feeding them

If this doesn't make fp for the youths to see, I will think of deactivating my account.

cc Lalasticlala

for Gods sake just do something!! - what we need

if ur a youth and u just scroll down to the bottom to comment, then u have a real problem

feran14:
for Gods sake just do something!! - what we need
if ur a youth and u just scroll down to the bottom to comment, then u have a real problem

make I register this one everybody de say good write up good write up. I go read am... but I won't come back.

Jesus this thing long oooooooooooooooo

ok

In all is sophistication and dispensation of truth , it avoids the primary topic, the defence of justice and morality

The gentleman made aspersions , and concluded the petition was instigated out of hate and or jealousy which is beyond the truth.

An objection does not require loathing, if the assignee of the petition believe that Onkjo Iwaela with all her Ivy League advantage is not deserving of an honorary award they have the right and means to be heard and contest such , Yale also reserves the right to grant/reject their request.

A great African flaw which has been allowed to grow to Goliath proportions is the notion that success requires wealth acquisition.

The gentleman spends such a great deal of time praising enterprising individuals but never spoke in favour of social justice, such individuals think a wealthy man is beyond reproach or reprimand even when his acquisition is at the expense of society.

Okonjo Iwaela is a government official whose duties are handsomely rewarded from the coffers of the Nigerian treasury, her employees have every right to question her actions and where an external body has granted an undeserved award can lobby against.

This above, is the gospel truth. Yet, will they listen?

No better words.

Once an average Nigerian youth finds someone to blame, he puts his brain to sleep.

They hardly reason beyond their noses falling for every media story and propaganda and never sit back to ask how or why

They've called GEJ clueless today, they will call Buhari senile tomorrow.... Yet they cannot simply analyze what the problems are much more proffering solutions.

Ask them why there is fuel scarcity... They tell you current FG has failed
Ask them why they have no job ..... They tell you FG has failed
Ask why their states can't pay salaries..... They tell you FG has failed
Ask them why we import refined products... They tell you FG has failed
Ask them what the solution is.... They tell you Sai Baba
Ask them what Sai Baba should do.... They tell you he has all the solutions

Laziness of mind is the bane of a Nigerian youth unfortunately

Which youths biko


Are you referring to the Same youths that just voted in a 73year old man as president? They make sure to keep voting Same people that have ruled Nigeria before and stay online 24/7 defending them with their last blood ; insulting any other youth that doesn't support recycling the old men.

Just visit any social media n find them shouting Sai baba, Sai obj, Sai jagagban, Sai Atiku etc

Youths that are ready vote their ancestors because of 5K monthly allowee promise

Op pls save your energy. Nigerian youths are not ready.

😂😂😂

Crying for the youth of Nigeria of which, (un)fortunately, I am one.

You think the politicians have any regard for you? That is why I referred to the arrogance of your ignorance at the beginning of this diatribe. You have a false estimation of yourself.

You have an over bloated ego. You are only as good as an election ticket- pure and simple.

You are only good to used and discarded like a used ballot paper. Who keeps a used ballot paper anyway?

That is why they only remember you every four years. You are like a menstrual pad that is only useful during the menstrual period.

You sit in front of a computer and rant all day through social media but with every click, you make money- not for yourself. With every megabyte of data you spend complaining and maligning, you make stupendous bucks for MTN,Etisalat, Glo and Airtel.

I dedicate this part to all online/offline jobless pdp & apc miserable ranters & gullible faithfuls!

Do something!

They are coming for you oh

Please address this rant properly. Not all Nigerian youths are what you've described. Thank you.

spongeisback:
Please address this rant properly. Not all Nigerian youths are what you've described. Thank you.

It only applies to all the youths that fits into that description.

spongeisback:
Please address this rant properly. Not all Nigerian youths are what you've described. Thank you.

Majority of the youths are aptly described in the article. Do something; that's the message.

A vast majority of Nigerian youths are mentally unproductive. This is a primary result of a flawed educational system.

Goooooood!!!! Never had such moment of thought for a long time. Best post Av read on nairaland dis year

Good writing skills!

Informative article... Points out to many available opportunities

A Perfect writeup for d moment.It describes 75% of d youths perfectly.We all should amend nd make our ways ryt.

download "hero," by trayvon https://my.notjustok.com/track/download/id/20071 good hiphop you'll like it.

There are also youths out there who are making positive things happen but truth be told there is a huge number you have no idea the direction they are heading.

this writer is God sent


if una like make una change and if una like make una no change


na una go still hear am

******WHATEVER YOU CALL YOURSELF,DO NOT BLAME THE YOUTH....YOU ARE PLAYING WITH FIRE***************

******FOR ZUCKERBERG,THORNTON ETC TO HAVE BLOOMED INTO WHO THERE WERE,THEY HAD A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT,...CHILDREN DONT HAVE FOOD TO EAT YOU WANT THEIR PARENTS TO SIT AT HOME TRYING TO INVENT COMPUTERS.....THUGS HAVE OIL LICENSES AND HOLD THE WHOLE COUNTRY TO RANSOM!!!!...AND YOU BLAME THE YOUTHS....ADEBAYO OR WHATEVER YOU CALL YOURSELF....YOU BETTER CHECK YOURSELF....NIGERIAN YOUTH HAVE A REPUTATION WORLDWIDE TO BE HARDWORKING AND INDUSTRIOUS........YOU CANT COMPARE THE FARM OF A MAN WHO HAS A TRACTOR TO ONE WITHOUT ARMS!!!

*********NIGERIANS ARE NOT FOOLS ANYMORE*****************

********WHEN YOU GIVE OIL WELL TO TY DANJUMA AND HE MAKES 500 MILLION DOLLARS MONTHLY....500 MILLION THAT BELONGS TO ALL OF US*************

********ALL THE PEOPLE YOU MENTIONED,TAFAWA BALEWA,AWOLOWO,SARDAUNA,AKINTOLA...THESE WERE HONORABLE MEN...YOU THINK BY ADDING A FEW THIEVES TO THE LIST YOU CAN HOODWINK US....NICE TRY...THOSE WERE THE DAYS WE HAD LEADERS WITH NATIONAL INTERESTS AT HEART!!!***********

********THEN YOU COME ONLINE AND CALL US LAZY.....LAZY FOR SAYING THE TRUTH NIGERIAN LEADERS ARE PSYCHOPATHIC THIEVES...I HAVE SAID IT AGAIN......GO AND WRITE ANOTHER ARTICLE WE ARE GOING TO KEEP SAYING IT TILL THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH IN NIGERIA.........THANK GOD FOR SOCIAL MEDIA!!!!***********

**********THEY HAVE REALIZED THAT WE ARE NOW FIGHTING BACK ON SOCIAL MEDIA.........AND THEY KNOW MANY LEADERS HAVE BEEN REMOVED WITH SOCIAL MEDIA....NOW THEY WANT TO SHUT THE YOUTHS UP......HAHAH....NICE TRY**************


********HOW DID NIGERIA GET HERE ??***************

********THE CORRUPT LEADERS MORTGAGED THE YOUTHS FUTURE BORROWED ALL THIS MONEY AT A HIGHER EXCHANGE RATE NOW NAIRA HAS FALLEN WE PROBABLY OWE TWICE THAT AMOUNT IF YOU FACTOR IN THE NEW EXCHANGE RATE AND INTEREST ACCRUED***********

********ESSENTIALLY THESE PEOPLE HAVE SOLD NIGERIA BACK TO SLAVERY,COS WHATEVER MONEY NIGERIA MAKES NIGERIA WILL HAVE TO HAND IT OVER********

********FUEL SCARCITY,JOB SCARCITY,SECURITY SCARCITY,EDUCATION SCARCITY,HEALTH SCARCITY**********

********LETS FACE IT OUR LEADERS HAVE FAILED US*********

********THERE ARE COUNTRIES THAT DONT HAVE,THEIR ARE COUNTRIES THAT HAVE AND HAVE BEEN LOOTED *******

*******WE NEED TO STAND UP AND MOBILIZE...PDP OR APC NIGERIANS DONT GIVE A DAMN ANYMORE*******

********JONATHAN,OKONJI AND DIEZANI HAVE WRECKED THIS COUNTRY FURTHER************

********WHEN WE MADE BILLIONS IN OIL SALES WE DID NOT SAVE FOR HARD TIMES.....THESE PEOPLE STOLE NIGERIA BLIND AND INVESTED OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY,NOW THAT RAINY DAYS ARE HERE,THEY CAN GO BACK TO THEIR INVESTMENTS BUT THE COMMON MAN LIKE ME AND YOU WILL SUFFER THE HARDSHIPS******

*******ENOUGH IS ENOUGH***********

SEE THE PICTURE OF THE MEN THAT RUINED NIGERIA BELOW.
AS LEADERS YOU GUYS SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAILED STATE,EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!!!!!!
YOU GUYS HAVE FAILED US AS A COUNTRY,BY CONTINUING TO ALLOW CORRUPTION,INSECURITY FESTER UNABATED.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE DIE OF UNDESERVED HARDSHIPS WHILE YOUR BILLIONS IN SWISS ACCOUNTS ARE ACCRUING INTERESTS....YOU HAVE BUILT HUMONGOUS MANSIONS WITH MONEY YOU STOLE FROM PEOPLE YOU WERE ENTRUSTED TO SERVE.

YOU ARE RUNNING THE WHOLE NATION LIKE A CIRCUS ACT......YOU MIGHT FOOL A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT NOT ALL.

ON BEHALF OF ALL NIGERIANS YOUTHS SHAME ON ALL OF YOU.
WE REGRET HAVING HAD YOU AS LEADERS EVER.
ALL OF YOU.
MAY KARMA SERVE YOU SIMILAR PORTIONS YOU SERVED NIGERIANS.

ONLY MEN WITH LOVE FOR THEIR NATION SHOULD BE ENTRUSTED WITH GUARDIANSHIP,NOT PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELVES.....

ok

In summary, just do something good today to help yourself and future.

The writer is possibly as guilty as the people he accuses.