The Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has challenged Nigerian youths to be critical in their thinking about the country they want to live in.
He also charged them to work hard to attain the Nigeria of their dreams and seize the moment to shape the future of the country.
Obi spoke on Friday at an international youth conference in Enugu with the theme; ‘Seizing the moment to shape the future.”
He said his message to the youths is that they should take back their country and stop toying their future.
Obi said it is now time for truth and justice to prevail in the country but noted that the stake was high.
The presidential hopeful stated, “We are not unmindful of the odds stacked high against those who wish to take on the system; indeed, the attacks coming at us from all angles prove that we are up against well-entrenched interests.
“That notwithstanding, we are encouraged, especially by the passion and commitment that our young people are bringing to our ranks and by their determination to take back their country and build for themselves the kind of nation they desire.
“The evils that have plagued our country cannot and will not continue forever. Those who are plundering our treasuries will not be able to do so for much longer,” he said.
Quoting the great American social crusader Martin Luther Jr, Obi said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. The time for justice has come. Let all those who love truth and justice arise and build their nation. It all depends on YOU!.”
He challenged the youths, noting that, “Are you tired of being tired of this country? Then, it’s time to act. Let’s make the Office of the enlightened Citizen the highest office in the land. It’s time to take back your country”
“Singapore of Lee Kuan Yew; China of Mao Zedong and Wen Jiabao; United States of George Washington; Israel of David Ben Gurion and Turkey of Kamal Ataturk.
“The current state of Africa is in direct proportion to the character of leadership we have had post-independence. Most of the independence leaders were freedom fighters, and failure in leadership led to seemingly endless decades of lost opportunities.
“The fate of Africa depends on Nigeria. And the fate of Nigeria depends on good leaders. Good leaders can only come out of a system of strong and capable followers, holding to account those they elect to govern them,” he added.
The LP flag bearer lamented the fact that Nigeria is the giant of Africa, “But we are on our knees, bogged down by numerous problems. Each time we attempt to stand up, it seems something is holding us down. Meanwhile, we are all aware of the problems and the issues confronting us; bad leaders, insecurity, corruption and mismanagement of the economy.
“Incompetent people hold positions at different levels of government. There is abject poverty in the midst of plenty, ethno-religious crises. It is time to stop that nonsensical cycle. We have to press the RESET button. We must restart Nigeria and begin to build the country of our dreams. We stand now at an opportune time to press that RESET button. We must do so by rejecting those who have failed us so woefully in the past. We will choose a New Nigeria,” he added.
