Jonglei Elders Believe in “No Youth Leadership” (Part I)
4 min readBy G. Naih Peter, Juba, South Sudan
March 3, 2016 (SSB) — I am pleased and touched by youth reaction to the latest move in Jonglei state’s politics to challenge, condemn and critique new governor’s cabinet without youth. This is very worrying and portray bad image about the youth of this historical state. It is for sure shows that elders or our political elites up to now still believes that youth in Jonglei have no experience hence can’t lead. They only believe that youth can only implements whatever decision made by them and can’t be questioned though regarded to serve the people of the state.
Small bonuses like the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) given to every constituency for development are things that portray how old aged government can perform; plus many other failed projects not forgetting the ever impaired security. By the way, there is now no trust in youth leadership even though you are sycophant to old-age.
I am not saying, old men can’t lead; yes they can be our leaders but blended with ever growing brains with real interest of serving the people of the state. I mean the youth who have good rational and working mentality, not dormant one whose heart & mind are cemented under a big-shaded tree just to play games.
Many educated personnel or even our political elites all know very well that through academic route no experience is taught as a course unit/subject/module hence all deserve the same chances to start and develop their experience which had been very little. Most of these current leaders back in their schools e.g Juba commercial secondary school or Khartoum University or even Alexandria University where they have mostly gone got nothing taught as experience.
However, the little experience of more than 21 years rebellion in the then Sudan should not be branded as the political experience they got, otherwise if so then let them tell us because we also have Red Army youth who are even near to them by age now.
Nevertheless, all the people have ideas but the better ideas that can be put down into better projects counts. These ideas are related to better thinking which i know youth can generate. it is these ideas that can be initiated into better projects and delivered to our indigenous citizens at grassroots & town in terms of clean water, better schools, trusted hospitals, good roads etc. which are yet to come to Jonglei state.
This state like many other states embrace service from youth in all aspects and sectors including political seats or say ministerial posts. For long only the traditional leadership has always been ran by the old-age i.e chiefs but on the contrary, there some cases that the even chiefs have been sworn into power before even 30th age and they turn up good and are being praised up to today; Majok Yuot of Anyidi Payam is a good example of such leaders being remembered till now though he is no longer a chief. So youth must not be exception in being given political posts or seats.
In term of whose share of cake has been bigger in the state’s latest government is up on governor Hon. Aguer Panyang himself but the truth is that only budget should be allocated according to population per county or even payam not leadership like this. I hope he did it borne out of good intention.
As an educated leader Aguer should have seen; yes he should have appointed at least one minister as a youth. I cannot mention any ministry but all ministries in the state can be ran by young men because at time like this that makes the difference from the old past governments.
To my fellow youth, you have all seen how things keep going in the state. Therefore, this is the high time you must all unite and get involve differ for the betterment of our people (state). However, keep reminding them via speaking and writing though they don’t read; this is in order to echo into their ears the sound of youth complains before the day of election reach.
All in all, the old saying goes that, “New broom seeps clean”, so has the governor started sweeping clean? Beware! Love at first sight sometimes turns out different but forget not that Hon. Philip Aguer is still our leader.
The author can be contacted via e-mail: naih.peter87@gmail.com
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