RECYCLING LEADERSHIP, AN ANTITHETICAL APPROACH TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND NIGERIA FUTURE_BY_Godday Ojore Aghedo

ABSTRACT

This paper addresses the dangers of recycling leadership or political governance on the future of any nation and the development of the young talents and potentials. It suffices to say that it is antithetical to youth development and detrimental to the future of the nation. It is a common practice in Africa to see old people in their 70s and 80s still clinging to political powers. With particular reference to Nigeria, youth participation in the actual governance of the nation has remained less than fifteen percent (15%) since the commencement of the democratic political system in 1999.  Sadly, this cuts across all the sectors of the government. The youths are the bedrock of effective, progressive and sustainable development in any nation; and where this veracity is undermined; the country will suffer more fits of insurgency, criminality, economic downturn, health challenges, failing educational system and even infrastructural decays or demolishment.  Possible solutions to this ugly trend include redefinition of leadership, compulsory leadership trainings for political office holders, and youth mentorship systems amongst others. In several countries of the world where there is proper rotation of leadership batons, especially to people whose essential interests are predicated on youth welfare and inclusion in governance, the citizens enjoy far more stable economic, social and political systems, including educational advancement than in African nations. As a matter of fact, the future of Africa is not guaranteed, until lasting solutions are proffered to the injurious leadership formula currently obtainable in practice.

TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0   INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………1 - 2

1.1 Definition of Terms                                 

2.0          CONSEQUENCES OF LEADERSHIP RECYCLING……………………………..……………3

3.0          OTHER LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES………………………………………………………….4 - 5

3.0   Health challenges

3.1   Environmental challenges

3.2   Economic challenges

3.3   Social challenges

3.4   Political challenges

4.0   THE WAYS FORWARD………………………………………………………………………………….6 - 8

4.1   Education

4.2   Leadership Redefinition

4.3   Leadership Trainings

4.4   Youth Mentorship

       4.5  Diversification of the Economy

5.0   CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………………………………9

6.0   BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………………………………10 - 11