08/12/2025
A few days ago at Edwin Clark University, I gave a convocation lecture where I shared an idea I once learned from Kola Ina - the founder of Ventures Platform. I told the graduating students that there are three important qualities young people need to succeed: curiosity, empathy, and urgency.
Curiosity helps you ask questions and learn.
Empathy helps you understand and care about others.
Urgency pushes you to act quickly and make progress.
These qualities are what help any society with many young people to grow.
But when I look back home here on the Plateau, I worry. Instead of using these qualities to build their lives and communities, many of our youths are using their time and energy for Facebook fights, insults, and endless arguments. The curiosity that should lead to new skills becomes curiosity for gossip. The empathy that should heal our divisions becomes harsh comments. The urgency that should drive progress becomes urgency to reply an online insult.
Before we talk about anything else, let’s accept one truth: we have not handled our youths well on the Plateau. We have not provided enough guidance, support, or opportunities. And when young people lack direction, they pour their energy into whatever is available—even if it does not help them.
According to CityFacts, the median age in Plateau State is 17.8 years.
This means half of our population is younger than 17.8 years. Simply put: Plateau is a very young state.
But if we are truly this young and full of energy, then we must ask ourselves some honest questions:
Where are our innovations?
Why are the people contributing nothing to the progress of our state suddenly the loudest on Facebook?
Why are the real inventors, builders, and creatives. The ones who should be inspiring everyone - so quiet?
And with things going this way, what will Plateau State look like 20 years from now? Will we end up with a generation of loud but broke elders, people who spent their youth trying to “win” every argument, yet gained nothing meaningful from it?
A youthful population is a blessing only if we prepare them well. If not, the same energy that should build our state can easily be wasted or misused.
This is why I want to speak directly to our youths:
You have energy, passion, intelligence, and strength. Please stop wasting it on social media outrage, insults, and online battles that add nothing to your future. Facebook fights will not give you skills. Twitter wars will not put food on your table. Online insults will not build your life.
Use that same energy for something profound:
Learn a skill.
Volunteer somewhere.
Join a productive community.
Start a business idea.
Build relationships.
Educate yourself.
Work toward something that improves your life.
The energy you put into attacking each other online can change your entire future if you channel it the right way.
Right now, there are too many “devil’s workshops” waiting for idle hands. But there are also countless opportunities waiting for determined minds.
Our future as a state depends on what you, the youths, choose to do with your time and energy. You have what it takes to lift Plateau higher. Let’s use our strength for building, not for tearing each other down online.
Let's wake up!!!!
All of us!!!
I greet una!!! Twalle!!!
Daser David