Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, addressed Nigerian youth on Thursday, urging them not to let their anger towards the older generation lead the country into chaos. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the four-day International Conference of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative in Abuja, Gana acknowledged the frustrations of young people while encouraging them to forge their own paths for the future.
Gana recognized that while the older generation has made efforts in governance and nation-building, “it was obvious their efforts were not good enough,” highlighting the need for youth to address the nation’s challenges. He expressed his belief that the younger generation must take the lead in correcting societal issues, stating, “We, the older generation, have failed. But we tried our best.”
The former minister expressed concern about the potential for unrest, noting that older Nigerians live in fear that “the youth may one day burn down the country if they are not properly guided.” He emphasized the crucial role of the Church in promoting messages of hope and tolerance, which he believes have been instrumental in keeping the country together.
“There is no doubt that we love the Nigerian youth. The only thing we are afraid of is that they may destroy the whole place in anger,” he remarked. Instead of resorting to violence, Gana urged young people to “find a new path for us to move forward.” He stressed that anger and destruction are not the answers, stating, “The real issue is not to use your energy in getting angry, abusing people, and destroying things.”
Gana encouraged the youth to seek constructive solutions, declaring, “The solution is to find the light, which is the solution to the problem and you will become the leader.” He advised them to refrain from excessive criticism of the government and to focus instead on productive actions. “Don’t abuse the government or spend time getting angry. We have done our best,” he added.
He concluded with a call for a shift in mindset, urging young people to engage in thoughtful reflection rather than venting on social media. “We need a fundamental change of orientation because ideas are powerful,” Gana asserted, emphasizing the importance of creative thinking in addressing the nation’s challenges.
