YOUTH AS AGENTS OF CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITYProtocol:Distinguished Chairman, members of the high table, special guests of this occasion, all protocols observed.

Introduction:

I feel honored to be invited, and be here, to deliver a guest speech at this August gathering today the 2nd day of December, 2012, organised by Amorji Youth Association. My happiness is centered on two things; first as a bonafide indigene of Amorji, this is like a prophet being honored in his own land. The other is that today’s event has given me the opportunity to contribute my part to an area of enduring and continuous concern to many Nigerians, old and young, the issue of community development. I rephrased the topic to the above to make it show how important it is to build our community and the nation at large.

Discourse:

Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister said, Politicians only think of the next election; statesmen think of the next generation. The last election like other elections has come and gone. Today we are facing the consequences of the choices we made with little done to make Amorji better. I congratulate our youths who came out strongly and worked tirelessly to project the interest of Amorji. These youths are not only leaders of tomorrow, but are partners of today too. Don’t you think it’s high time we started planting in them for tomorrow’s harvest? Community development is a serious business. A nation cannot be built overnight as Rome was not built in a day. Building a community requires time and concerted effort. Barack Obama in his acceptance speech said: "The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year..." It is a continuous adventure and one generation passes away with another generation taking its place, but the task of building a nation goes on. It, therefore, behooves each generation to give the next its best by leaving the nation better than it met it. Or, of what use is it to be "a wasted generation", apologies to the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka

Who qualifies to be called a youth, what is change and what is nation/ community development? According to New Webster’s Dictionary, youth is the state or quality of being young; an early stage of development. Change is the passing from one form, phase, place or state to another while I define community development as that act of causing the growth and expansions of a body of people living near one another and in a social relationship. So we are gathered here to look at what people whose minds are still young and teachable could do to drastically to bring about better quality of life to people of Amorji and humanity at large.

Community development should be one that will contribute to stable peace needed to emphasize the democratic participation, privileges and benefits of people within the community. It demands building a society, economy, and polity that will meet the basic needs of our people, so that there won’t be poverty, inequality and unemployment; and be prepared enough to compete for economic resources and political power either at the state or at national level. This does mean not only mobilizing our youth to be part of formal institutions of democracy, but also instilling the underlying

culture which recognizes respect for the identities and needs of others both within and outside. It means development of human rights- political, civil, economic and social, and the rule of law. It also means development of healthcare systems, social amenities and jobs. Perhaps most important, it means the development of education which is the bed rock of every society. Community development does not achieve much without the contribution of civil society groups, and development of democratic state institutions that promote welfare. This is a multi-faceted process that requires every one’s contribution irrespective of his orientation, religion, profession etc.

So who is involved in community development? Past notable examples of nation builders include Otto von Bismarck (the Iron Chancellor), who united Germany; Kemal Attaturk, who defeated the Ottoman Empire and founded and united present day Turkey. Even, there are African’s like Kwame Nkrumah, Leopold Senghor, Jomo Kenyatta, Julius Nyerere, Fidel Castro, Mahatma Ghandi of India, Nelson Mandela etc . One unique thing about these people is that they staked their lives for their people and made sure they made a difference in communities where they found themselves. Let’s, at this point, pause and ask ourselves which one thing can we do to make the life of Amorji people better than we met it? Undoubtedly, the future of any community rests on the shoulders of her youth. The values they inculcate and the qualities they possess today will inevitably be brought to bear on the nation tomorrow. The knowledge, skills and principles which they have acquired over the years would be used as tools for the development or destruction of the community. They are the ones who will meet the specific human and material needs of the community. Indeed, the youths are the movers and shapers of the community. Without them, community has no future and is heading for extinction.

Amorji youths are the incubators of the change this community needs. Amorji needs the youths to champion the long-awaited change - economically, politically, socio-culturally and technologically. The organised and powerful communities in Nigeria today would not have attained that status without the indispensable role of her youths. They ensure that the education of their youths is on the front burner. Since community development is a continuous task, the youths will forever be the hope of every community and the hub of her development.

As youths, we have a vital role to play in building Amorji. We are the catalysts that will jumpstart economic greatness and propel progress. Amorji youths are spread all over the country. They are endowed with great talents, gifts and potentials, most of which are yet to be fully tapped. They are intelligent, knowledgeable and skilful in various fields.

The following are some of the things we can do to bring about development in Amorji;

1. Be serious with your education and career. Despite what it is, strive to stand out and be the best that can be. There is no alternative to sound education.

2. Stop praising people with no genuine source of income. Honor and emulate those who had reached the heights through hard work, honesty and integrity. Expose people who do shoddy businesses to law enforcement officer; you might be the next victim if you don’t.

3. Do not encourage examination malpractices and cheating, expose perpetrators.

4. Ensure you register and vote in elections and census. Collaborate and mobilize other youths to participate too. Serve in students’ union, labor and market unions. Such service prepares you for bigger service i.e. Adams Oshiomole of Edo State. By doing this we will not be cheated when ‘’

national cakes’’ are shared. A good example is Hausa people who have developed much political awareness even with low level of education and poor communication media.

5. Join social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and other forums). They offer a valuable platform for information, education, network and technological advancement. Share information and encourage other youths to get engaged.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, let me borrow the words of Benjamin Disraeli, the British statesman,” the youth of a nation are the trustees of prosperity. We must be prepared to produce the change we desire to see in this country". We must stop running away with the long-peddled notion that we are leaders of "tomorrow". Perish the thought! The future is NOW! We are indeed the leaders of today. As 2012 just started, we must never be used as tools for political thuggery, robbery and destruction. God will give us the grace to make Amorji great. Thank you!