society
2027 Is Youths O’Clock: Ordinary Young Nigerians Will Build the Great Nation We Deserve.
2027 Is Youths O’Clock: Ordinary Young Nigerians Will Build the Great Nation We Deserve.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“Great nations are not built by the rich alone, but by the courage of ordinary youths who rise from humble beginnings.” That truth is not poetry; it is policy. It is the spine of every national rebirth. And it is Nigeria’s most urgent assignment as 2027 approaches. The class of 2027 must be the generation that trades CYNICISM for CIVIC MUSCLE, that takes our frustrations and forges them into reforms, that turns raw numbers into organized power. Simply put: 2027 is calling for Youths O’clock.
Across history, NATION-BUILDING is rarely a billionaire’s project; it is the hard, hopeful, everyday work of young citizens who show up (at the ballot, in town halls, in classrooms, on factory floors, in code labs, on farms, and in community boards. Nigeria has that workforce in abundance. Africa is the youngest continent on earth; in sub-Saharan Africa, 70% of people are under 30, and young Africans are projected to comprise about 42% of the world’s youth by 2030. This is not a statistic to admire; it is a mandate to act.
BUT POTENTIAL IS NOT DESTINY. If we don’t translate youthful energy into tangible power (votes, policies, enterprises, and institutions), our “DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDEND” becomes a DEMOGRAPHIC DEBT. The window is open, but it will not stay open forever. In 2023, young Nigerians proved they are not spectators. Nearly 40% of registered voters were under 35, and youth drove unprecedented mobilization both online and on the streets. The SURGE was REAL; THE LESSON is CLEAR: when youths organize, the political class pays attention; willingly or otherwise.
Of course, COURAGE WITHOUT PATHWAYS is a CUL-DE-SAC. That is why the Not Too Young To Run Act (2018) matters. It didn’t just trend; it changed the rules, lowering age limits for key offices and opening the door for independent candidacy. Reform is never a miracle; it’s the residue of relentless youth organizing, and Nigerian youths achieved it. Now, that door must be kicked fully open by a 2027 wave of competent, ethical, ground-game-ready candidates.
Yet one can’t talk about 2027 without naming the economic headwinds young people face. Jobs remain too few, wages too high, and opportunities too gated. Globally, the youth unemployment rate hovered around 13% in 2023, masking deep regional inequalities; in Nigeria, official youth unemployment ticked up in 2023 under a revised methodology that many analysts debate, reminding us why UNDEREMPLOYMENT and INFORMALITY (not just joblessness) must be central to policy. If a reform does not turn schooling into skills and skills into dignified work, it is a slogan, not a solution.
So what must young Nigerians actually do between now and February 2027?
1) OWN THE REGISTER, OWN THE RESULT. Registration is power. A movement that does not obsess over PVCs is a mood, not a force. Learn from 2023: the line for your card is the first queue to your policy outcomes. Demand transparent voter data, track logistics, cs, and volunteer as party agents and observers. Youths do not just vote; we verify.
2) RECRUIT AND RUN. Stop waiting for “GOOD PEOPLE” to appear. Recruit them or be them. The legal barriers are lower now. Build slates of youth candidates for local councils, state assemblies, and the National Assembly. Pair them with seasoned technocrats and community elders in advisory roles. Competence is not anti-youth; it’s the oxygen of youth credibility.
3) BUILD POLICY FROM THE GROUND UP. The economy is not an abstract riddle. It is transport costs, stable power, affordable data, reliable security, and access to finance. Focus your manifestos on: (a) SKILLS-TO-JOBS PIPELINES (apprenticeship, coding academies, TVET married to real employer demand), (b) AGRO-INDUSTRIAL VALUE CHAINS that turn harvests into exports, (c) MSME capital that is patient, transparent and regionalized and (d) LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE that cuts business friction—roads, markets, cold storage and mini-grids. Judges of seriousness will look for budget line, not buzzwords.
4) TURN PROTEST INTO POLICY. The world has watched youth uprisings reshape agendas from Nairobi to Lagos. But historic protests without INSTITUTIONAL FOLLOW-THROUGH risk becoming anniversaries instead of laws. Mobilize into the committees where procurement is designed, the town halls where tariffs aresett and the party primaries where tickets are traded. If policy is where the sausage is made, then 2027 must be where youths own the kitchen.
5) GUARD THE INFORMATION SPACE. Disinformation is voter suppression by other means. Youth-led fact-checking hubs, precinct-by-precinct results collation, and credible parallel vote tabulation will be decisive. Technology is not a savior, but in skillful hands it is a shield.
6) CLOSE THE REPRESENTATION GAP. Youths are not a monolith; inclusion is strength. Bring in women, rural youths, artisans, student leaders, creatives, techies, and persons with disabilities. Let your coalitions look like the country you seek to govern.
If this sounds like a moral crusade, it is. As Kofi Annan reminded the world, “No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime.” The generation that commits to that process (patiently, persistently, pragmatically) wins the future.
And if this sounds like a development strategy, it is that too. Amartya Sen defines development as the expansion of real freedoms to live, learn, work, and participate meaningfully. Youth empowerment is not window dressing; it is the engine of that expansion. Elections without expanded freedoms are ceremonies; with them, they become catalysts.
Skeptics will say, “We’ve heard this before.” Fair. Hope has been weaponized too many times in our politics. That is why 2027 must be different in METHOD, not just in MOOD. Replace personality cults with policy contracts (one-page, measurable commitments signed publicly by candidates, tracked quarterly by civic group, and published online. Replace patronage rallies with door-to-door listening, Ward Development Scorecards, and clear procurement dashboards. Replace “big man” endorsements with credible youth-elder compacts (inter-generational alliances that blend idealism and institutional memory.
Above all, replace the myth that change must be spectacular with the discipline that change must be systematic. Nations are built less by grand speeches than by thousands of small, sturdy decisions made daily by citizens who refuse to outsource their future. As Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” The work before us is not impossible; it is simply incomplete.
Let’s test this thesis with hard realities:
Demography is on the youth’s side. The youngest continent is ours; the youngest electorate in our history is alive now. If we don’t invest this advantage in 2027, it compounds against us in 2031.
The law is edging in our favor. The age barriers are lower; candidacy is more accessible. But legal keys unlock nothing without organized hands to turn them.
Economics is the battleground. Youth joblessness and underemployment corrode social trust and fuel brain drain. Sound, youth-centered economic policy (anchored in SMEs, skills, and infrastructure) is not a talking point; it’s survival.
So here is the challenge and the promise: if ordinary youths move from hashtags to handbooks, from outrage to outcomes, from “THEY” to WE, Nigeria can do in the 2027 (2031 cycle what others take decades to attempt) bend the arc of our politics toward competence, bend the arc of our economy toward inclusion and bend the arc of our society toward dignity.
The rich will fund projects; that is fine. But great nations are built by bus conductors who insist on receipts, by market women who demand bright-lit streets and fair taxes, by coders who ship local solutions, by nurses who refuse to normalize avoidable deaths, by teachers who measure learning rather than attendance, by artisans who formalize their craft, by farmers who join cooperatives, by creators who monetize culture, by athletes who anchor community pride and (above all) by voters who connect every promise to a performance review.
This is our moment. Youths O’clock is not a slogan; it is a schedule. It means registering now, organizing now, vetting candidates now, training polling agents now, drafting ward-level manifestos no, and building cross-party youth caucuses now. It means refusing to be rented crowds and choosing to be responsible stewards. It means pursuing power not as a trophy but, in the words of a wise admonition, as a loan to be repaid with service.
If we keep faith with that ethic, 2027 will not just change who sits in office; it will change what office is for. And then the old lie (that Nigeria is too complicated to fix) will finally meet its match in a new, stubborn truth: that ordinary young Nigerians, rising from humble beginnings, carried this republic on their shoulders and built something worth handing to their children.
The clock is ticking. The future is calling. 2027 is Youths O’Clock.
You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.
Abuja, Nigeria – The maiden edition of the You Against Crime – Schools Festival 2026 Grand Finale has concluded, marking a significant milestone in youth engagement and crime prevention efforts across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The event, held at the University of Abuja, brought together 78 secondary schools from the six Area Councils of Abuja, with the top six schools competing in the Grand Finale.
*Winners Emerge*
Tudunwada School, Bwari took the top spot, followed closely by The Golden Crest Royal in second place, and Government Secondary School, Kuje in third.
*CULTURE, THE CURE FOR CRIME*
The festival’s theme, “Culture, The Cure for Crime,” highlighted the importance of values, identity, mentorship, and positive engagement in preventing crime and shaping responsible citizenship among young people.
*DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKERS*
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Chairman, Amnesty International, praised the initiative, saying, “This festival is a beacon of hope for our young people, promoting values and principles that can shape a brighter future for Nigeria.”
Aisha Mohammed, Head of Enlightenment & Re-orientation, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, emphasized the importance of mentorship, stating, “Empowering young people with the right guidance and opportunities is key to preventing crime and building a stronger nation.”
*PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT*
The 2026 Grand Finale Edition was proudly sponsored by Civicx Technology Ltd Int’l, reinforcing a shared commitment to youth empowerment and crime prevention through cultural reorientation and innovation.
Tayo Folorunsho, Host & Founder, You Against Crime International, addressing the media and appealed to government agencies to support initiatives like this, targeting young minds early.
You Against Crime International is a movement advocating cultural change as a long-term solution to crime. The organization remains committed to advancing youth development, civic responsibility, and nation-building across Nigeria.
TICP Customs Launches Paperless Regime, Warns Against False Declarations
The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has launched a roadmap for the full implementation of a paperless regime at the command.
Onyeka disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, stating that the command was fully prepared for seamless digital operations ahead of the nationwide rollout scheduled for the second quarter of the year.
He described the engagement as the first in a series of consultations aimed at sensitising stakeholders on the strategies, operational framework and expectations under the new regime.
The controller commended the media for its constructive reportage since his assumption of office and sought continued collaboration to ensure the success of the initiative.
Presenting the command’s performance report, Onyeka said the Tin Can Island Command generated ₦609 billion in revenue in 2025, describing it as the highest in the history of the command.
He added that revenue collection rose from ₦116 billion recorded in January of the previous year to ₦145 billion in the corresponding period last month, representing an increase of over ₦29.9 billion.
Onyeka stated that his vision was to make the command known for trade efficiency, explaining that under the paperless regime, containers would be released without physical contact between Customs officers and clearing agents, provided declarations were accurate.
He credited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing the leadership and strategic direction driving modernisation efforts across Customs formations nationwide.
The controller urged stakeholders to avoid false declarations and engage directly with the command to resolve concerns, emphasising that transparency and dialogue were essential to achieving efficient port operations.
He assured that consignments with clear scanning results and proper documentation would be released promptly, while those flagged by the risk management system would undergo physical examination, adding that the command would continue to collaborate with other agencies to reduce cargo dwell time and enhance port efficiency.
Love on Display: Katie Price and Lee Put On a Public Show of Affection
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
British media personality Katie Price is once again at the center of tabloid and public attention after being photographed poolside with her new husband, Lee, in a display of affection that quickly circulated across entertainment platforms. The images, reportedly taken during a recent leisure outing at a private resort location in the United Kingdom, show the couple embracing and kissing beside a swimming pool, with Lee prominently displaying a tattoo tribute dedicated to Price.
The photographs, which surfaced in mid-February 2026 through British tabloid outlets, depict the couple appearing relaxed and affectionate. Lee, whose full name has been reported in sections of the UK press but who largely maintains a lower public profile compared to his wife, lifted his arm to reveal a visible tattoo said to be in honor of Price and a gesture widely interpreted as a public affirmation of their relationship.
What happened was straightforward but symbolically charged: a public display of affection between newlyweds, amplified by Price’s longstanding celebrity status. Where it happened (poolside at what sources describe as a private holiday setting) underscores the blending of personal life and public spectacle that has long defined Price’s media journey. During a recent February getaway placed it squarely within ongoing tabloid interest surrounding her latest marriage. Price, 47 and her new husband Lee, whose visible tribute tattoo became the focal point of the moment.
Celebrity culture scholars argue that public figures such as Price operate within a media ecosystem where visibility sustains relevance. “Modern celebrity is performative intimacy,” explains Professor Graeme Turner, a media and cultural studies scholar known for his work on celebrity culture. “Public displays of affection are not merely private acts; they are communicative gestures that reinforce brand identity and narrative continuity.” In Price’s case, her romantic relationships have long been interwoven with her public persona.
Price first rose to prominence in the late 1990s under the glamour model moniker “Jordan,” before transitioning into reality television, publishing and business ventures. Her personal life (including previous marriages and high-profile relationships) has frequently generated headlines in the British press. This latest marriage continues that pattern of intense scrutiny.
The tattoo tribute displayed by Lee is particularly significant in celebrity symbolism. Body art dedicated to a partner is often perceived as a declaration of permanence. Dr. Chris Rojek, emeritus professor of sociology and an authority on fame and public identity, has observed that “celebrity relationships are sustained as much through symbolic reinforcement as through private commitment. Visible tokens (rings, tattoos, coordinated appearances) function as public assurances.” In this case, the tattoo serves not merely as personal expression but as a visual narrative device in an already highly mediated relationship.
How the moment unfolded (casually but conspicuously) reflects the dynamics of contemporary celebrity coverage. Photographs were reportedly captured either by paparazzi stationed nearby or shared through controlled media access, a common practice in the British entertainment industry. Within hours, the images were republished by multiple outlets, accompanied by commentary on Price’s relationship history and ongoing legal and financial challenges, issues that have previously placed her under intense public scrutiny.
Despite recurring controversy throughout her career, Price remains a resilient media figure. Communications analyst Mark Borkowski has previously remarked in interviews that “Katie Price understands publicity better than most. Whether by design or instinct, she maintains a feedback loop with the press that keeps her culturally visible.” The poolside photographs appear to fit squarely within that established pattern of managed exposure and reactive media amplification.
Critically, there is no indication of misconduct, public disturbance or controversy tied directly to the poolside display itself. It was, by all verified accounts, a consensual and celebratory expression of affection between married adults. The wider attention it has generated speaks less to the act and more to the individuals involved; particularly Price’s enduring position within British popular culture.
For global audiences, the episode illustrates a broader truth about contemporary fame: private milestones often become public commodities. The marriage of Katie Price and Lee (and the symbolic tattoo that now marks it) has become another chapter in a life lived persistently under the camera’s gaze.
As celebrity culture continues to blur boundaries between intimacy and publicity, moments like this poolside embrace are no longer trivial snapshots. They are narrative events, reinforcing identity, commitment and brand continuity in equal measure.
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