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Nigeria@60: Nigeria is not beyond recovery says Nigerian Youth Union
A Nigerian youth Union (NYU) has said that Nigeria is not beyond recovery as the country marks 60 years of her sovereignty.
The Union also stated that the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria cannot be complete without giving an account of the roles that Nigerian youths played so far in six decades.
The President of NYU, Chinonso Obasi, made this known at a meeting with another youth forum to chat a movement of the amalgamation of a new youth organization in Abuja on Thursday.
The theme” Nigeria@60 and the Birth of Credible National Youth Platform” was aimed to
to help Nigeria rediscover herself by mobilizing, motivating, and assisting youths across the country to become more patriotic and stay conscious of their environment.
Obasi, who is also the former National President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said it would also help the youths to participate in developmental issues that would lead to the repositioning of Nigeria.
He stated that the group had recognized that youths across the country, after the 60 years have been at the receiving end of what he described as very “bad leadership” from those they have bestowed the hope to make the environment conducive for them.
According to him, ” Nigeria is not beyond recovery what is beyond recovery is the fact that those who have lost ideas are still in charge of our affairs and that is one of the reasons that has metamorphosed into the existence of NYU.
” We can see that the same crop of leaders who have been there since 60 years ago have been the persons who are still there now.
“If they are doing well, there would have been a generational shift. Having set the foundation it is now left for those who laid the blocks or those who will make the roofing or the tenants to take over the job.”
He identified a vacuum created in issues relating to youths in the country saying there was a need for proper leadership for Nigerian youths, who are between the ages 18-35.
Obasi who acknowledged the presence of other youth groups in the country as well as professional bodies stated that none of the groups advocate for the well-being of the youth but rather cater to the welfare of their members.
” We have resolved along with different youth organizations in the country and have come together to say we recognized other youth association in the country.
” We recognized youth NGOs in the country. But we have discovered that there is a leadership vacuum for the Nigerian youths. That vacuum is leadership.
” We recognized the presence of Nigerian labor Congress (NLC), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Academic Staff Union of polytechnics (ASUP), Nigeria Bar Association(NBA) as unions that are championing for the general well-being of their members but in the youth constituency we have much vacuum that no such entity is existing.”
Obasi added that the NYU would champion the general well-being of Nigeria youth, strengthen democracy, and also stand for the defense of human rights.
He said the birth of NYU was a way of appreciating Nigeria at 60 as well as a way of filling the leadership vacuum for the vibrant youths of the country.
He added that it was time for Nigeria youths to take charge of the affairs of their nation.
He, therefore, said that the new youth platform would create welfare and political inclusion of the young persons adding that it would further checkmate the incessant industrial action embarked on by members of ASUU, ASUP, and other academic bodies.
He called for proper harmonization saying such actions must henceforth be in the interest of all parties including students.
“The association’s courses they are championing must not affect others. NYU will close that end, they have no regard for youth leaders because they feel they are too cheap.
” Stomach infrastructure has been one of the bases for the leadership of few youth groups so sometimes ASUU and others consider them as not been pivotal to their leadership.
” But we will try our best to maintain our integrity that the sister union will know that this is a birth of new dawn for Nigerian youths, ” Obasi said.
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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles
Joel Ajayi
At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.
Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.
What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.
Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.
In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.
Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.
“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”
She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”
The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.
Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”
For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”
Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”
Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.
Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.
Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.
With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.
Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.
“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.
He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.
“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”
Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.
“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”
He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”
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