YOUTHS OF TODAY

LEADERS BY CIRCUMSTANCE
An Open Letter to All Africans of the 21st Century

Written By
Verkijika Divine Nyuyki
(Shey Ductu)

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION......................................................4
CHAPTER II: THE TIME IS NOW.................................................5
CHAPTER III: THE WAY FORWARD.............................................8
CHAPTER IV: YOUTH OF TODAY: LEADERS OF TODAY.............10
CHAPTER V: A WORD TO THE WISE........................................12
ABOUT THE AUTHOR..............................................................13

Dedicated To All African Youth

(c) 2015, Ductu Foundation

All Rights Reserved

The content of this book solely represents the ideas of the author and is not considered as legal
advice of any kind. This book is in the public domain, and maybe copied or transmitted in its
entirety or quoted for brief excerpts in magazines and articles, acknowledging the authorship of
the writer.

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
Too often, youth communities remain underserved because they are not
always properly represented. In Africa the situation is amplified by
poverty, inadequate access to proper upbringing, training, information,
support and resources to enable them cope with the ever increasing
challenges of life.
Many children go to school without knowing what they are supposed to
do, and leave school without any idea of what type of jobs or careers
they should follow. Graduates end up jobless and unemployable, while
quite a sizeable number end up on streets struggling from hand to
mouth without fulfillment, nor significant progress.
In addition, they have little understanding of themselves or their socioeconomic and political environment. Unemployment rates are high and
national developmental goals are hardly attained because young people
who make up more than 70% of the population are handicapped.
The Task we have at hand is foremost amongst the needs and concerns
of our people. Youth empowerment is more than just a good concept; it
is the avenue through which Africa can revive itself in this modern era.
This letter/booklet is more than just an address on issues affecting our
community or issues affecting young people, but contains a set of
powerful ideas for every young African to always reflect on and
positive values, and lessons for personal development

CHAPTER II: THE TIME IS NOW

It is time for us to practically cast out our fears and approach our future
with wisdom, and diligence, for the challenges we face today are up to
us to defeat or to surrender. The numerous opportunities we have are up
to us to seize or to forgo.
Today we are not only Africans but citizens of the world, united by
universal love. Many young people all over the world are making a
change in their lives and in their communities, and we too in Africa can
do same. Let us not hesitate to connect with them, to share these
experiences which are mutually beneficial, so as to bring about the
changes we seek.
It is not a pride to be dependent on family or friends. And the
government alone cannot provide for all its citizens, so it is up to us as
youth to take our lives and destinies into our hands, by actively
participating in the affairs of our nations, developing and applying our
knowledge and skills, for our welfare and that of our communities and
also to enjoy the freedoms and rights of citizenship.
If we have to resolve our generational issues, then it is us the youth who
must adjust, because we lead by the lives we live, and not by the
political or bureaucratic positions we dont have. Let us learn to address
our situations through dialogue and mutual understanding, with
maturity and diplomacy, for violence and rebellion shall not solve our
problems. What we need is evolution.
We have to try and keep on trying; else, let us stop complaining over
things which we havent tried to change. We have a goal, and only

perseverance, patience and tolerance shall make it manifest. As long as

there is hope, faith and works, we have nothing to fear.
Let us keep aside all prejudice, and approach life with a free and open
mind, yet cautiously preserving our greatest interest at heart,
customizing global science, arts, spirituality, morality and technologies
to suit our local contexts, as well as expressing our cultures,
philosophies, and realities to the world, enlightening them to erase their
regular misconceptions of who we as a people and Africa as a continent
are.
Let us learn to value our lives, and to maintain both a healthy body and
spirit by avoiding substance abuse and reckless behavior. We should
enthusiastically seek for knowledge and wisdom; and tirelessly work
hard to improve our living conditions.
Truly I understand that life for us is not yet at its best shape as we battle
on the daily grind with unemployment, underemployment, absence of
valuable guidance, poverty, unreliable educational and health facilities,
high costs of living, little or no access to finance, and all other sorts of
problems, however, let our anguish not blind us from the numerous
provisions that are already at our disposal.
If the government cannot employ us, then we need to employ ourselves.
If our parents cannot assist us, then we need to assist ourselves.
Sometimes even amongst us the youth, due to our differences, in
education, background, and realities, it is difficult for our peers to
understand and to share or support our vision, yet let us not give up on
life and set into laziness, for the future is bright for he who toils.
As we join our elders in power and decision making positions, let us set
an example for the leaders of tomorrow, living and promoting the
values which we so much cherish. As well as improving our present
situations to socially acceptable standards.
For the sake of our own evolution and for the development of our
continent, let us avoid approaching politics with the same naivety of

yesterday. Our political opponents should not be our enemies, but

partners in the development of our economies and to the betterment of
our individual and collective lives. We may not think, speak or act alike,
but we are one people, united by nature and our common love for our
motherland Africa.
It is not only the big choices like changing of leaders or amending
constitutions that shall bring about the changes we seek, but most
importantly little daily things that affect our lives more, such as the kind
of water we drink, our state of health, education, environment and
moral fiber especially at individual, family and community levels.
No-one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather
both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. - Kofi
Annan. We need to awaken the genius in us and as the innovators that
we are, introduce a new social value system that shall prove our
maturity and win the trust of our people.
We have seen the economy of Nigeria, the democracy of Ghana, and the
role of South Africa in consolidating our African heritage. These are
few examples of the numerous positive changes that continue occur in
our continent, indicating that the best is yet to come.
Let us do everything possible to live in harmony with ourselves, our
families, and all those whom we come in contact with. And let our
fundamental principles be landmarks that point the way to justice, peace
and love, for we the youth are the leaders of today, not by decree nor by
ballot, but by the exemplary lives we chose to live.

CHAPTER III: THE WAY FORWARD

Africa is still new and young towards the concept of Independence,
Democracy and Education. Fifty Years ago, Education guaranteed
employment, because then only few Africans were educated. Today
literacy rates are hitting the heights and we are happy, but that also
means that the Job market is becoming competitive. So it takes more
than just learning chemistry, technology or business management to
earn a job or start a business.
Our fathers thought that independence and democracy equaled freedom
and development, but as we can tell for the past Fifty years, allot of
course has changed but not as they hoped for; not because democracy
and independence are not good in themselves but because good laws
and systems are only as good as the people who put them into practice.
For Africa to take the new face that all of us dream about, Liberty and
Development cannot be well-ensured without a properly
knowledgeable, skillful, hardworking, effective, efficient and
consciously ethical populace, capable of ecological and sustainable
growth both at the material, emotional and mental levels.
We have the political, economic, technological and educational systems
in place. What we now need is human capital that meets the needs of
the times. And this human capital is more than just education. We need
a new generation of up-to-date, intelligent, hardworking and competent
persons, with upright values, clear-thinking and practical skills that can
help them take their various initiatives to the next level.

This is the age of Personal development. The age where each individual
has to be attentive to his personality, behavior and choices, each
individual has to be conscious of his own advancement and strive to
become his best to achieve success and advancement in a way that will
not jeopardize or destroy his environment.
Our countries have got their independence, now individuals need to be
independent too, else no practical change can occur, for
A good country is a country with good people,
A rich country is a Country with rich people
A happy country is a Country with happy people
Our governments can only do what they can do; the big task is upon us.
Each man has to be responsible for his advancement and ensure good
environment that can permit him to thrive. What I mean here is that, we
have to become the discipline masters of our lives. No principal is
going to run around with canes to beat students to study well. If you
dont study well, you fail and it is on you, not on your school.
This also applies to families and institutions. Each institution is
responsible for its survival; however it is worth reminding that the
government is responsible for a good ecosystem. Same as schools and
parents are responsible for their children.
In fact, one proverb summarizes this call You can take a horse to the
stream, but you cant force it to drink water. We have been led to the
stream through independence and democracy now is time for us to
drink the water by ourselves. Its not going to be an easy task, but as
soon as we get used to, we will enjoy the rewards.

CHAPTER IV: YOUTH OF TODAY: LEADERS

OF TODAY
No man ever made it in life, lying on his back. No country ever
succeeded without successful citizens. Let us take initiatives, let us
work hard, and let us toil, for ourselves first and for our communities.
But let us not forget civil social responsibility and our responsibility
towards protecting our environment, because if our habitat dies, we too
shall die along. By environment I dont only mean the earth and trees,
but also our political, economic, and sociocultural situations.
This is the first time in history when the youth are more informed and
equipped than the elderly, due to our understanding of how technology
and media works. Now even without high costs of travelling, one can sit
in Cameroon and receive competent education from America, through
the use of technology. By watching TV, YouTube and other forms of
media distribution networks we are able to understand the cultures of
other people and happenings around the world at a relatively cheaper
and easier means.
We are able to connect instantly and communicate live through mobile
phones, internet and social networks. The internet has made it easy for
us to carryout research on almost any topic, and even to advertise and
sell our products, services and initiatives. Computers have made it
faster and easier to process documents. Machines have simplified most
of the tasks that we do and chances of better productivity and

effectiveness have now been doubled. Etc. And we as youth have the
opportunity to be up-to-date in this era.
Of course security concerns will arise as they always do; but even in
offline life, thieves and rogues still exist. The reason our African leaders
have been slow towards adapting to technology and other globalization
tools is because they have not been schooled in them and their fear is
not that of technology but of their incompetence in that domain, which
could lead to drastic results for them and consequently for us. However
now is the time for us to partner with them, to remove the insecurities
by educating them and because they trust us, we can take initiatives and
responsibilities in that line.
It goes far more than that; As I see it, the young adult generation in
Africa has finally become the Elite group in most rural and semi urban
settings. Our Elders certainly have more material and financial capital
than we do, but because of our mental and physical capital which has
become the currency of this information age, we are more than ever
called upon to take leadership roles in our communities, To bring about
innovative initiatives and to partner with the owners of capital to ensure
the benefit of both partners and of the communities.
It is our responsibility as Elites, to orient and educate our people, to be
able to make them understand the current state of affairs in the world,
and to ensure the proper allocation of capital and resources towards
sectors that will ensure maximum attainment for our communities while
not jeopardizing our environment.
We have become leaders by circumstance, and it is our responsibility to
advocate for laws, policies and initiatives that promote the proper
upbringing of young people and that propose better conditions for
young people to grow and thrive in the economy. As well as sensitize
and call to action of both youth and stake holders on issues affecting

young people (such as Health) and issues affecting our communities

(such as environmental sustainability) that need the active participation
of both youth and stake holders.

CHAPTER V: A WORD TO THE WISE

Being young or old is no longer a question of age but that of culture and
ideology, and as such brings fort more than ever before challenges
which we need to surpass at the level of tolerance and respect.
Youth and Elders are two parts of the same coin, together we make an
ecosystem. One cannot do without the other, so it is in our best interest
not to completely discard the conditions and needs of each other, but to
find the bridging point for us to harmoniously cooperate for both
individual and collective development.
The currency of this modern era is information. So readers are leaders.
Times are always changing and whoever fails to change with them goes
into extinction, hence it is always necessary to upgrade and update our
knowledge, skills and competencies in order to remain relevant in the
market and to thrive.
It is always crowded at the bottom, so theres enough space at the top
for whoever meets the requirements. Whoever wants to thrive in this
modern era must irrespective of his industry, thrive to be among the best
of the bests. Being the best of him-self and offering the best for his
audience and clients. The greatest gift you can give to the world is your
own personal development.
We make choices and our choices determine who we become, so we are
more than ever responsible for everything that happens to us, and

whoever accepts this responsibility and becomes proactive, will have

his share in the pie of life.
The world is full of opportunities disguised as challenges and is ever
ready to reward accordingly whoever brings fort solutions to advance
its evolution

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born on 15/12/1991 in Kumbo, NW Region, of Cameroon, Verkijika
Divine Nyuyki Popularly Known as Shey Ductu is young Cameroonian
Artist, Entrepreneur and Social Activist. He Went to Nursery and
Primary School at Government Primary School Tobin, Attended
Secondary at REPACCOL Nkar, High School at St Augustines College
Nso and Studied Computer Science at University of Yaound I.
He is CEO of Wirani Ventures, a multimedia, technology and
entertainment company based in Bamenda and Founder/President of
Ductu Foundation, an NGO with headquarters in Kumbo and mission to
provide innovative solutions to Challenges faced by young people in
Cameroon.