The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has called for the replacement of the Big Brother Naija show with better show that will boost the strength of Nigerians youths.
Ooni Ogunwusi, made the call when he played host to scores of Nigerian youths from all parts of the country under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in Ile-Ife, in his palace on, Wednesday.
Among other things, the Ooni criticised the prominent Big Brother Naija reality show, which he said had been misrepresenting the goodness and integrity of the Nigerian youths.
The monarch described the youths as the country’s untapped immeasurable wealth and resources.
The royal father, who stressed the need for participation of more youths in leadership, lamented that the youths have misplaced their priorities and must redress it as a matter of urgent public importance.
“Nigerian youths are found of accusing and abusing our leaders, stop abusing them contribute your own quota. Let’s wear our thinking caps and begin to act like the real future leaders that we are.
“In the last general election, the total number of vote cast was around 27 million while over 170 million people voted during the 2019 Big Brother Naija reality show.
“This is a practical reality of who Nigerian youths are and where our priorities lie as Nigerians.
“The funny side in all of these is that we still go to bed, have a good sleep and wake up with the hope to meet a Nigeria we didn’t create. Nigerians Youths! Nigerians Youths!! Nigerians Youths!!!
“Unfortunately, every time I talk about this kind of attitude, everyone just laugh and move on. What kind of nation are we building?
“When people say this country, or what kind of country is this, they are indirectly saying these people – it is the people that make a country; so what kind of Nigerian youths are we?” Ooni asked.
Speaking further, the monarch offered a suggestion for a reality show, which will project the country’s values, cultures and traditions.
He urged leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria to work out plans on the show, which will be called, “The Big Nigeria Reality Show”.
“The proposed show will be structured in a way that young professionals, talented individuals and others across several field of endeavour will be showcased and helped to reach their peak.
“This would help the participants and also help viewers to have access to people that can be seen as role models,” Ooni added.
Earlier in his address, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, who was represented by Dr. Mariam Abdullahi, a Director in the Ministry, explained that the youths have major roles to play in the country’s development.
According to him, the digital literacy and skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, employability and leadership initiative of the Ministry are ongoing and all geared towards the development of our youths.
“As government, we will keep ensuring that we equip our youths towards prosperity,” the minister assured.
Representing Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Yemi Lawal, explained that the youths have a lot to learn from the elders towards reaching their goals.
“As much as we youths are important, let us be humble enough to learn from our elders because they were once like us. Humility, persistence and patience is the key and we must be upright in our dealings,” he said.
