Youth and Leadership. The Ogoni Example

This study poses the question: how did the people of the eastern Niger Delta prepare their youth for leadership? It then presents a detailed study of the Yaa cultural tradition of the Ogoni from pre-colonial to present times; their history and politics; and considers the perspective of youth leadership and training. The study illustrates how the Yaa cultural tradition determined social class structures, discouraged anti-social behaviour, and inculcated attitudes of generosity and diligence, and knowledge of the arts in those growing up in the tradition. The author goes on to show how the teaching of this tradition affected youth organisations, particularly MOSOP, one of the most effective modern youth movements in the Niger Delta region today; and suggests that some of the lessons might be integrated into national education policies. The author is Senior Lecturer in Political History at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.