As we commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, we, the youth of Lagos, must go beyond celebrations and fireworks to embrace a deeper call; the call to liberate our mindset.
Independence is not just about freedom from colonial rule; it is about freedom from mental bondage, economic dependence, and the recycling of wrong values.
True independence begins in the mind. Our generation must not remain trapped in the belief that progress comes only through government jobs or political handouts. We must embrace creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development as the real pathways to growth. This is how we can truly contribute to nation building.
Independence also teaches us responsibility in leadership and followership. Youth must learn to be good followers of leaders with vision rather than practicing divisive politics. Not everyone can be the voice at the same time. We must respect leadership when it is rooted in service so that our collective demands and progressive agitations are taken seriously.
Some youths in leadership today have shown commendable excellence, accommodating their peers and raising the bar. These are acts worthy of emulation by others lagging behind. Independence reminds us that leadership is a sacred trust, not a personal empire. We must serve meritoriously, uphold integrity, and never abuse positions entrusted to us.
No youth leader should cling to office endlessly or manipulate constitutions for personal gratification. Power is not permanent. A true democrat builds institutions, not dynasties, and every youth in leadership must always have a career, skill, or second office to fall back on after service. That is the value our independence teaches us.
We must also confront the growing menace of substance abuse and cultism. These cancers have eaten deep into the fabric of our society, fueled by government negligence, porous borders, and weak enforcement. Instead of pumping money into celebrity ambassadorships and cosmetic campaigns, resources should be directed at cutting supply from the source. The menace spares no one. It affects both the poor and the elite, fueling insecurity, violence, and social vices.
While we celebrate the success of Nigerian youth in entertainment and tourism, we must reject the glorification of drugs, immorality, and destructive lifestyles. Our true culture is dignity, resilience, and creativity, and this must be what we promote.
Finally, independence means nothing if our classrooms continue to collapse. The decline in secondary education, the disconnection between policies and local realities, and the manipulation of young people as political tools rather than nation builders are betrayals of independence. If our schools fail, our nation fails.
My call today is simple. Let Nigerian youths rise above dependency. Let us build values of service, discipline, and integrity. Let us reject drugs, cultism, and shortcuts. And let us defend our education and our future.
Nigeria will only be truly independent when her youths are mentally liberated, morally disciplined, and economically empowered.
Happy 65th Independence Anniversary!
In service of Lagos Youth,
Engr. Adigun Ibrahim Olalekan, MNSE
Chairman,
NYCN Lagos State
