24/06/2023
*NIGERIA MARTIAL ART, SPORTS AND THE YOUTHS, THE TIME IS NOW*
I look forward and backwards in history, in a dire attempt to decipher what is the cause of change in psyche and mindset of a people, and this epistle decides to flow of it's own accord out of my busy pen. I might be right or wrong, but one thing is for sure, more energy and vigour to achieve lies with the youths, and also the expectation to perform better than the teachers and the past, but how they apply present day knowledge, experiences and technological innovations is what determines the roadway forward or backwards.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was 56 years in 1960 when he became Governor General of Nigeria and later ceremonial President in 1963.
Sir Tafawa Balewa became first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria in 1963 at the age of 51 years.
Gen. Aguyi-Ironsi was 42 years when he became Head of State in 1966.
Gen. Yakubu Gowon was 31 years when he became Head of State in 1966.
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu became President of the Republic of Biafra in 1967 at the age of 34 years.
Pat Utomi, now Professor, became Chief Operating Officer of Volkswagen Nigeria in 1983 at age 27 years.
Sir Ahmadu Bello masterminded the Nothern Nigeria from Independence in 1960 and became its first and only Premier in 1954 at age 44 years.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, founder of the Yoruba nationalist group "Egbe Omo Oduduwa" became Premier of Western Nigeria in 1952 at age 43 years.
The list goes on. All youths at the time. All filled with vigour to move forward and take control. All willing to sacrifice and to serve and lead. They may have been right or wrong with decisions made at those times. What mattered was that they came forward and tried their best at their prime. They did not wait or beg for it. They stepped out and stepped forward.
Where are our youths today? I call on them to stand up, step out, step forward and use their energy and intellect to tap into experience of the past leaders, take control of nationalist driving forces from those who may no longer have the zeal or energy to move anything forward. It is not by quareling or complaining, but by a systematically and collectively focused push at putting their brains to work to make things right.
Greed, corruption, rigging, tribalism and religion are part of every history worldwide. No one hands over control that easy. Even Queen Elizabeth stayed alive too long by Charles reckoning. The son wanted to ascend the throne, but mama queen was not ready to quit until death do them part. Power is sweet, but youths must learn fast and step forward earger and ready to show the old school what is new Brain, and not talk and youthful exuberance or insult.
In the same vein, I call on the Martial art youths. The elders started as pioneers when they were in their early twenties. No experience, no guide. Some went straight from athletes to instructors, coaches, referees and board members. It was more martial arts and less sports. It was passion and sacrifice. Yet they did great things, travelled far and wide, produce good black belters, champions, stars referees, and made their marks both within and outside these shores.
Now time has passed and things are changing fast and it is time for the youths to step forward, tap intellect, tap experience and use their energy and modern technology to move things in Nigeria forward. Every father and mother prays to see their offspring progress and surpass their achievemens.
Enough grumbling, insults and complaints at slightest provocations. Elders will never agree their times have passed. They will always act like stubborn fathers who think the young ones are recalcitrant. After all the President of Nigeria is a young elder. So also many people in the helm of affairs of Federations and sports worldwide.
It's action and doings that speak loud. The youths can do it. Let them stand up and start seeking out and taking roles and responsibilities. No one will stop them or hand it over to them. But fresh and young minds are needed. Martial arts, sports and Nigeria need them to stand up and do something good, make things happen. We can't leave it for somebody else.
This we beg of them. Yes, we truly do.
The time is now!!
*Dr. Ferguson Oluigbo, FIMC*
_Old school teacher with a new school vision_
