Yesterday, I read on various social media platforms an article by Okey Emmanuel, a public Affairs Analyst, with the aforementioned topic as the heading. It was qiute an interesting read for me, it also got me thinking towards Anambra 2021 gubernatorial elections.
I agree with Mr. Okey that transformational leadership has nothing to do with age, just as I would wish Mr. Okey, to agree with me that quality leadership is not the exclusive preserve of the old and dying politicians that have amassed our political space.
As another political cycle is about to begin in Anambra State, these old players have once more re-echoed that their desire for political power is not yet over. They have started making all manner of assertions just to justify their shameful and outdated penchant for power.
They are now talking of transformational leadership whereas they have been in power since 1960 till date, yet these promises of transformation have only been a myth. We say NO! to them this time.
Hence age has nothing to do with transformational leadership, it is time for the youths to lead the pack and transform our society for us and our children.
Mr. Okay did also said, “I have taken time to study a number of Transformational leaders and notice that most of them have their peak between 60 and 70 years especially in areas of state and national leadership. Decisions in this area of societal management are often very sensitive. That’s why youths in such positions are usually enmeshed in some errors resulting from youthful exuberance.”
He went further to name the transformational leaders he studied, surprisingly he mentioned, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the ruler of Dubai, he also mentioned Harry Lee Kuan Yew the founding prime minister of Singapore, saying they are all not youths.
Anambra 2021: Group Clamour For A Youth Governor
Let me take him and his likes down memory lane, Lee Kuan Yew became the Prime Minister of Singapore at the age of 36. He was born 16th September 1923 and became Prime Minister in 1959 (36 years).
Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid ascended leadership as a youth too (Born 1949). He was appointed as Head of Dubai Police and Public Security on 1 November 1968 at the age of 19. Appointed as Minister of Defence in December 1971 at the age of 22. He couldn’t become President because it’s a family monarchy system and he couldn’t jump his brothers. This is the man that utilized the whole if his youthful age in serving his country.
In our civil service system, one is expected to give 30-35 years of his prime (youthful age) to serve his fatherland. That’s why once you are 60 years, you retire.
Am not saying that our age-long experienced technocrats and groomers should be neglected or relegated? No! I am just saying that the useful ones amongst them can be of help while we lead. Over the years they have failed my generation. My generation won’t seat idle and fail the next.
Mr. Okey, also mentioned that some youths that have been given the opportunity to occupy public office have abused it. The popular example he cited was the sex toy scandal of the youngest Senator in Nigeria. I joined many youths in condemning his act.
However, it does not mean that those who do badly in public offices in Nigeria are youths and it does not also mean that all youths in public offices are irresponsible. Today in Nigeria, we have a septuagenarian leadership that has presided over the killing of innocent Nigerians by various insurgent groups with reckless abandon.
Everywhere in the world, the conversation is beginning to change, the youths are taking charge in some of the countries of the world like, COSTA RICA: Carlos Alvarado Quesada, 39 (born 14 January 1980), QATAR: Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, 39 (born 3 June 1980), HAITI: Fritz-William Michel, 39 (born 23 July 1980), NEW ZEALAND: Jacinda Ardern, 39 (born 26 July 1980), UKRAINE: Oleksiy Honcharuk, 35 (born 7 July 1984), FINLAND: Sanna Marin, 34 (born November 16, 1985) and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, 42 (born 21 December 1977).
His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, will go down memory lane as the most youth engaging Governor in Nigeria. That history will be capped when he hands over to a youth come March 17, 2022.
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