Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the African continent to pay attention to the needs of young people.
Speaking on Wednesday, Obasanjo warned of a coming revolution if leaders don’t align with the needs of the youth.
“It’s the beginning and If no adequate attention is paid to the needs of the youth in Africa the autumn will turn to winter and it will be very ugly for all of us,” he said on Citizen TV.
Obasanjo was reacting to the recent protests by Kenyan youth over the anti-Finance Bill, 2024 protests.
He said the continent is full of unemployed youths who see nothing but hopelessness.
The former Nigerian President said the only thing you are likely to get from the youth in such circumstances is anger.
Obasanjo added that most youths are also angered by the opulence of the leaders despite the hard economic times Africa faces.
“All of Africa, we are all sitting on the keg of gunpowder because of the youth, and there is virtually no excuse in Africa why the youth are not angry,” he said.
Obasanjo, however, said that this is a good time for Kenyans to come together and rebuild trust and goodwill.
“I believe this is the time for us in Kenya to rebuild confidence, trust, and knowledge of our situation and to develop goodwill so that we can do what needs to be done.”
Kenyan youths rejected the Finance Bill, 2024 and took to the streets terming it ‘punitive’.
The protests saw President William Ruto reject the Bill after it was sent to his desk for enactment.
He wrote back to the National Assembly recommending the deletion of all clauses in it.
From the protests, several youths lost their lives in the process.
Authorities place the number at 25, with about 400 others sustaining injuries across the country including 43 police officers.
Human rights organisations, however, place the number of deaths at over 40 youths.
