JENNIE IFEATU

A country, community or organisation without youths is one without a future. Youths in this context refer to those whose minds, talents and creativity bring a fountain of life to everyone and everything they come in contact with.  When you do this, you have truly defeated age. The human body can be young for a short for a period of time while the spirit can be young forever.  According to the United Nations, 226 million youth aged 15-24 lived in Africa in 2015 representing nearly 20% of Africa’s population, making up one- fifth of the world’s youth population. If one includes all people aged below 35, this number increases to a staggering three-quarter of Africa’s population.  It is important to note that people who often fall prey to the learn but don't remove the 'L' are often young people. The good book saw this coming and admonished, " Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduc...

One of the group of people I detested coming in contact with as an undergraduate in the university were motivational speakers. I actually came up with a quote that some of my old friends from university still remind me of,  "Motivational speakers are folks who speak words that can charge three laptops, five phones and two power banks then the whole power fizzles away in a minute." My mindset had been wired that my inspiration should come from these motivational speakers. In my first and second year, I would attend any event I got an invite just to get inspired. However, when I got to my third year, I knew I was basically wasting my time. So I resorted to resentment for motivational speakers. With time, I found a way of tapping my inspiration from the sports world. So, I would watch tennis, football, boxing, wrestling and basketball. At the time, it was the 'real deal' for me. The truth I found later was that these guys were just like the gods in Ola Rotimi...

So lately I was discussing with a friend. In the midst of the discussion, he wiped open his phone screen and asked: "How much do you think he is worth?" Referring to someone who passed as influential to him. I cast my glance at him, "Nothing!" I said calmly. "You are a joker. You mean you don't know who he is?" He asked again. I breathed a sigh of relief with my mind made up that a response from me would never see the light of the day. There is something I secretly call the "Underground Theory." The world and its people are so fast that if you are not cautious, you might be knocked down by the fast and trampling go-lucky people. As opposed to how any other person perceives it, my value system for your success lies in your history. I like to believe I 'm weird or perhaps old-fashioned but this is one part about you that thrills me. I am a firm optimist, therefore the future has no choice than to be better than...