BLACK COCKTALE

By Emerald

Where are they? Those we call the future leaders. Are they those who lie around in the slums dreaming of a bright future, not knowing what the next day holds in store for them? Or those on whom a huge part of the nation’s money is spent on but end up with no patriotism to their country? Every generation has been considered the future leader at one point in time and it has always been the same story: “Work hard for you are the leaders of tomorrow”. Then this generation passes the same story and greater problems to the next, making it seem like there is indeed hope in the already damaged future. 

When our predecessors have not been able to solve critical problems while they were leaders, what gives them the hope that we can? Because for one, we never created these problems and the failure of our role models is a deadening factor on its own. 

We agree we are the future leaders but what has the country given to build us. The educational institutions are there to build the nation but without building its subjects how would they achieve their aims? Leaders are the knowledgeable ones; those who can stand on their feet anywhere anytime, bringing and motivating others to do the same. An educated mind is a learned mind and even Plato concluded after he created the ideal society that the philosophers should be kings; the lovers of wisdom should be the rulers. 

Every human has a potential but the problem lies in tapping it. While great potentials rot away in those who do not have the opportunity or resources to utilize it, some others do not see their homeland as worthy of its impact. The average Nigerian youth accumulates knowledge basically for survival and not for the good it could bring to the country.  

With high hopes and high expectation, we as the future must not fail. But what will be the fate of those to come when all we see is the country not getting better. The worst orientation Nigerian youths have is not wanting to be teachers. Teaching is the greatest of profession but the most worthless in value in our country. Teachers are role models and role models are leaders. If no one wants to be a teacher who will create the leaders? 

Who then would be our future leaders?