Rwanda’s youth should reciprocate the President’s gesture

The World over, the notion that the youth are the “leaders of tomorrow” is widely held and respected. It is a statement that brims with hope and vision. It gives a sense of continuity. Indeed, it is always refreshing to hear that statement being uttered, especially by outstanding leaders.The problem, however, is that it usually stops at that. But like we all know, the youth of Rwanda will not just spring out of nowhere and become leaders overnight. That is where President Paul Kagame comes in to lay the gauntlet before the students. Addressing thousands of youth representatives who thronged the Amahoro Stadium for a question-and-answer session with the President. On Friday, Kagame challenged the youth to identify and take up leadership roles early, as opposed to waiting for “the future.” The over 2,000 youth representatives were drawn from 32 institutions of higher learning across the country. Dubbed ‘Meet the President’, the event was held under the theme, “A Legacy of Self Reliance”. For the youth to take their proper role in leadership, it must start early, you don’t wait for tomorrow, you start as early as possible, the President tipped the youth. On a continent where politics and leadership are viewed largely as the domain for ‘old’ men, and the youth as incapable of steering national debates, the President’s gesture deserves applause. Now is the time for the students to demonstrate to the nation that it was not just about getting up close and personal with the President. They must reciprocate his gesture with solid action, beginning now.