Dear
Governor Ajimobi,
I came
across a video of you admonishing students in your State who came to you in
frustration seeking a solution to the lingering crises in their school, which
has been shut for the past eight months.
Sir, I
am baffled by your behaviour as you castigated them for daring to speak out and
being impatient with what seems to be the slow pace of resolution to the
matter. This, Sir, is unbecoming of a Governor. Your rhetoric is most
unhelpful. Your advice that the students do their worse and threatening to deal
with them if they dared you will not address their palpable and urgent
concerns. Can you not understand why some students won’t have fear for
constituted authority?
Your
video has gone viral and everyone is now aware of the embarrassing situation in
your State. People have seen your disregard for young people and disinterest in
resolving the educational crisis in your State. Seemingly, you believe you can
be absolved of your responsibility because, in your words, “you didn’t create
the problem in the first place.” May I remind you that this is your duty Sir?
Your
sentiments mirror the sad reality of things in our country – the government’s
scant regard for accountability and good governance, and its insensitivity in
dealing with pressing and urgent matters affecting the future leaders of our
country. It also highlights our failing educational system, the political
idiocy that worsens the situation. Sadly, these students are trapped in the
middle of a crisis with no one looking out for them, not even the government
they fought so hard to elect.
You see
Sir, the problems facing youths in our country did not start today. It has
worsened with successive governments, year to year and from one corner of the
country to the other. Our country’s youths have been taken for granted for too
long, they have been exploited from all angles. They have been burdened to
believe they are “leaders of tomorrow” even though there are hardly any
opportunities provided to them to achieve their fullest potential, to achieve
their goals and to contribute to our country’s development. I believe in clear
conscience, you will admit this is such a shameful situation.
I agree
that youths in our country have a role to play in its development and I admit
that we sometimes ignore the opportunity when presented and this can be
attributed in many cases to lack of meaningful leadership. It is imperative for
leaders like yourself to understand the importance and value of education in
our society and the opportunity that open dialogue presents for solving
difficult situations like the one in Oyo. We cannot continue to ignore young
people—even if they appear boisterous. Our country’s future depends on them and
for that future to succeed, it is prudent that we invest in their education and
empowerment.
It will
be remiss of me if I fail to commend you for what you have done for your state
in other aspects. I commend you for your efforts thus far towards free
vocational training in Oyo. I encourage you to deal with the situation in your
state as a true leader of the people. I hope we get to see viral videos of
youth empowerment programs in your state and not the shameful video now going
around. I urge you to take the step and leadership in encouraging youth
involvement and participation in decision-making processes that affect their
lives and their future. Listen to the students; it would be foolhardy to do
otherwise.
My
regards to you and your family Sir,
Sincerely,
Stephen Chukwumah
Stephen Chukwumah
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