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OSCA WOVEN WORDS COMPETITION – OLORUNSHOLA OLUWASEYI

“Imagination gives birth to things unknown but the writer’s pen turns them into shapes and gives to them living breaths.”

ALSO READ: BOWEN WOVEN WORDS COMPETITION WAS A HUGE SUCCESS

The 2018 OSCA WOVEN WORDS COMPETITION was organized by My Woven Words and it was only for undergraduates of tertiary institutions in Osun State as approved by the ministry of education, Osun state. There were Terms and Conditions for contestants.

OSCA Woven Words Competition remains the “first-of-its-kind” and “one-of-its-kind” in Osun state, Nigeria. To avoid Conflicts of Interest, we reached out to a number of unbiased scholars in a university outside Osun State to assess the submitted manuscripts and select the best contestants. All the contestant got a certificate of participation and some of the submitted manuscripts were selected for online publication.

TOPIC: The Tenacity of Nigerian Youths in National Development and Leadership Roles.

“They do not have the money to give people to support them, so they better forget winning” my Uncle once said, concerning the young candidates contesting for the presidential elections. A limiting factor we have as a nation is this unshakeable resolve that Nigeria would never break free from the shackles of God-fatherism and monopoly of power. Until we are cured of this diseased thinking, the belief that we are progressing as a nation would remain nothing but a tantalizing mirage.

Regardless of the congested nature of the Nigerianpolitical system, it is without a doubt that a number of young progress-driven youths have risen and taken up the challenge of breaking through the thick walls of the political, social and economic systems guiding the nation, by taking on leading revolutionary roles driving the nation. However, it is undeniable that amongst the vast number of purpose-driven youths are those who would rather sit back and watch the responsibility of nation’s development being shouldered by others. Nonetheless, it is absolutely erroneous to state that ‘the Nigerian youths are lazy’.

Dr. Ola Orekunrin, founder of Flying Doctors, the first air ambulance in Nigeria; Adepeju Jaiyeoba, the innovator of The mothers delivery kit: provides basic sterile supplies for expectant mothers in Nigeria; Chude Jideonwo , the co -founder of The Future Project: focuses on building leadership and entrepreneurs in Nigeria; Adebola Wiliams, the co-founder of RED: holds Africa’s largest portfolio of youth brands; Fela Durotoye , the founder of GEMSTONE nation builders Foundation: targeted at training youths towards transformational leadership and social change and many others have taken up outstanding roles as leaders in various fields, to build up the nation and positively steer us towardsdevelopment.

From the time we gained our independence as a nation, Nigeria will forever be thankful for the birth of men and women who were intentional in driving this nation on the road headed towards progress. However, this is time and age for the young minds to take on the steering wheel, and continue this journey which has for long been held back. Truth be told, a person fights hard for someone who believes in them. We have youths fighting doggedly for their Nigeria, whether Nigerians believe in their capacity or not.

Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Today, our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change.” Old dogs cannot be taught new tricks, they say. The world is evolving and so should we as a people, together with our mindsets and ideas. The tenacity of the Nigerian youths, in contributing to transformation and improvements of the systems governing Nigeria, must be maximized. The Bible says, “Wisdom is profitable to direct.” Our acceleration would be irrefutable, if we press the right pedal.