NewStats: 3,265,468 , 8,186,807 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 05:48 AM 321y63

In a nation grappling with protests and uncertainty, the voices of its youth are growing louder, demanding change and action from those in power.

As the world marked International Youth Day last week, calls for reform have intensified, and the spotlight is on Nigeria’s young people to shape the country’s future. Sunday Vanguard sat down with a respected voice of wisdom, Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, to gain insight into the role of young people in driving change and the responsibilities of leaders to empower them.

With decades of experience and a deep understanding of the complexities of the nation, Onaiyekan briefly shares his thoughts on the potential of Nigeria’s youth and the way forward.

Amidst growing unrest, can Nigeria’s young people be the catalyst for change?

I congratulate the efforts of young people, who are working towards peace and development in the country. I encourage them to continue pursuing peace using their religious values.

What’s holding Nigeria’s leaders back from harnessing the energy and creativity of the country’s youth?

Young people want to participate and contribute to the peace and development of the nation, but they have not been given adequate attention, space, or encouragement by those in control.

Is the government’s call for patience from young people a recipe for disaster?

Young people cannot and should not be patient. They should show their eagerness to bring about change and improve the country. They have always been at the forefront of change throughout history.

What’s the way forward for Nigeria’s leadership to effectively engage with its young population?

Leaders should be aware of the natural desire of young people to achieve their destiny. They should create an environment for young people to work and succeed, and listen to their concerns.

Can Nigeria’s economy be salvaged, and what role can young people play?

We must create wealth by creating an environment for young people to work with their hands and minds. The government should listen to young people and understand how they want to be helped. We need sincerity, not lies.

Are government programs for young people mere tokenism or a genuine attempt to address their concerns?

Many young people say they have never seen these programmes. We need sincerity and avenues for young people to succeed, not just token efforts like distributing 50,000 naira.

Will the government’s response to protests, such as CNG buses, quell the growing unrest?
I am not sure that initiatives like CNG buses will address the concerns raised. We need to harness our resources, like gas, to create energy and opportunities for young people.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/08/protests-young-people-cannot-and-should-not-be-patient-archbishop-onaiyekan/

iwaeda:
In a nation grappling with protests and uncertainty, the voices of its youth are growing louder, demanding change and action from those in power.

Interestingly enough they claimed the youths are the future Leader, yet not regards for them

bnsie:
Interestingly enough they claimed the youths are the future Leader, yet not regards for them

The biggest problem of Nigeria is lack of unity. Politicians benefit when they keep the country divided using their paid agents. Afterwards, they turn around to preach for unity to pretend as if they are trying to unite the country. The day this country becomes united on one front, politicians will be the biggest casualties.

Man of God, you are correct, just protest in your region.

Thanks.

This is the greatest Sunday sermon of our time. Fight, fight and fight

Even the topmost church leaders are ing the revolution

No politicians will wait for October 1 protests at this point

This one cannot be cowed by FG and APC

And he's not even IPOB.

I thought it's only IPOB are fighting the fg

Dialogue rather than protests would bring solution

Fact

Young people cannot and should not be patient. They should show their eagerness to bring about change and improve the country.

Nlfpmod, youth are being maligned.

It's the omoluabi's turn, please I want to make it clear once more......if you are not okay with Asiwaju's reign, pack your things and go back to ipobidients in the Igbo land...... there's no room for any protests or bouthing of any sort.
Yorubas are good in governance and they will rule all of you and your papa for 8 years.
None of you voted for us, so deal with it.

Catholic Bishops no dey look government face, them dey always talk wetin dey their mind since their daily bread does not depend on d scope called "pay your TITHE or your life will be tight."

every Catholic priest has a mandatory car, a house, usually with people to help him cook n clean, n a salary. Most of the things the contribute for offering is theirs. If you bring whole turkey for thanksgiving, na father go likely chop am..not everything is sent to HQ except for collections which explicitly say it's for this or that cos they themselves are part of the HQ.

When you provide for the basic needs of a person, it allows them say their mind since criticizing your bad behavior does not affect their next meal...something a lot of churches need to learn.

Really bruh

Shey Suru ki se baba iwa mo ni?

Oga, Na only you go do the next protest

The protest is as useless as the P in physiological

Over to you agbado miscreants

Come and tag him Ipob.

Young ones, arise!

Do not wait for leaders to do the right thing. Challenge them to do it. It is your right.

There are more than 1,455 elected officials, appointed ones are even twice or thrice that number.

Your refuse is not evacuated, hold your local government responsible. Your streets are dirty, gather and go to the council. You have no drinking water, hold the leaders closest to you responsible. You are taxed excessively by local touts, hold your local government responsible.

The heat you put on the president, share the heat on everyone.

Conquer the fear that holds you back! You have no reason to suffer while the leaders live in affluence.

Since last year, allocations to states increased. Ask your governors what they are doing with your funds. The practice of governors purchasing big SUVs for traditional rulers must stop. Any traditional ruler should be able to purchase a car for himself or his community can do it. If the community is poor, there is nothing wrong in riding a horse or donkey or trekking.

The practice of using state funds to pay for Hajj or Ramadan feeding must be resisted. How come no one is talking about feeding the poor after Ramadan?

Challenge your state governors to publish monthly expenditures and tie it to allocation and IGR. Do not be taken for granted. Those leaders are there because you voted them. If they won't honour you, vote them out.

And please, start organizing as local government autonomy has been granted. Converge and one another. You can elect your leaders from your ranks and develop your states and communities.

When you win, forget about tomorrow and your political future. Use your present position to develop your area.

That is your legacy. That is your future.

iwaeda:


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/08/protests-young-people-cannot-and-should-not-be-patient-archbishop-onaiyekan/

Everyone knows this is a government of lies, by greedy, demonic old people with one foot in each of their graves already...

That's why they borrow billions of dollars against twenty years in the future, and share it amongst themselves and their own children

Succinctly put by Onaikan, create conducive environment and see the youth blossom, anything less than this will create room for security problems and social unrest.

One of the major problems of this government is their constant need to turn everything to politics.
Anybody who critizes a policy is a political opponent. They continue employing jobless youths on social media platforms to continue singing their praises, instead of addressing issues

Now the cock has come to roost. Hunger continues biting.

Let's see if they'll call Onaiyekan an IPOB member because he said the truth.

Cardinal is IPOB

We are in a bottomless pit of corruption in all sector in this country only reforms and reviews of all sector and constitution can save us or.........😢

The next one will not be easily tamed

All these clerics from that side go just dey stylishly stir up violence

If the whole thing start now,u no fit front am

He should rest abeg

It is better to Jaw-jaw than to War-War.

No real progress can be achieved where the mind is not at Peace.

PDP Bishop we don hear you.

SoNature:


The biggest problem of Nigeria is lack of unity. Politicians benefit when they keep the country divided using their paid agents. Afterwards, they turn around to preach for unity to pretend as if they are trying to unite the country. The day this country becomes united on one front, politicians will be the biggest casualties.

True talk

CyrusVI:


All these clerics from that side go just dey stylishly stir up violence

If the whole thing start now,u no fit front am

He should rest abeg

which side is he from and what did he say that is not true?

Sannisege:
PDP Bishop we don hear you.

how is he "PDP Bishop"?

Personally, I know a few number of Tinubu ers that are seriously suffering still, they will tell you his policy is the best...

Until we are all ready to fight back, those heartless politicians will continue ridding us