By Fisayo Fakayode (FISFAK)
National President, Social Development and Revive Hope Foundation

In recent times, we must sincerely ask ourselves a fundamental question: Are we truly practicing democracy?

What type of Nigeria do we all envisage and crave for?

Nigeria is blessed with the highest population of youths in Africa. These youths should be the embodiment of truth and remain active agents of change; a change that will resonate with their present and secure their future.

We also have a significant number of elderly citizens whose wealth of experience can still be harnessed for various productive purposes to add value to our economy. Sadly, instead of being engaged productively, many have been turned into tools in the hands of cruel rulers whose belief and political ideology is to destroy the economy and deliberately impoverish the majority, so that the people can be easily controlled.

A few months ago, at a time when Nigerians were facing serious and biting hardship, the First Lady was reported to have encouraged Nigerian youths to go into frying Akara. For me, this is a misplacement of priorities. People in government should serve as the think-tank of the society. They should be designing sustainable programs and policies that will lift the majority out of poverty and empower them to build our country.

It is a known principle that when the people are strong, the society becomes strong. A strong society does not prevail because a few individuals are strong.

At this point in our national journey, Nigeria should be ripe enough to embrace three core values: truth, love, and unity. These values will increase our collective strength as a people who truly desire liberation.

Nigeria can never be better than the quality of thoughts that emanate from our hearts. On our streets, we can count millions of Nigerians who are not well-informed politically, and this remains a major challenge to our development.

Nigerians need to wake up and do the needful. We must elect a President who understands the economy, a leader with a wealth of experience, and above all, a leader who has genuine feelings for humanity. Those who do not feel your pain can never solve your problems.

It is when we have leaders who genuinely think about the problems of the people that God Almighty will grant the wisdom to solve those problems. As a nation, we must begin to think outside the box and collectively embrace development.

Fisayo Fakayode is the National President of Social Development and Revive Hope Foundation.