A Wake-Up Call to Cross River State Youths in Their 40s: It’s Time to Grow Up and Take Charge

Max Etta. 

To the vibrant youths of Cross River State and indeed Nigeria who are now in their 40s, it’s time to face reality. You are no longer "youths" in the real sense of the word. You have crossed into a new phase of life. You are now adults. In fact, you are gradually stepping into the shoes of elders. The time for childish excuses is over. The time for deep reflection and serious action has come.

Let’s be honest with ourselves. The average life expectancy in Nigeria as of March 2025 stands at just 54.6 years. That’s far below the global average of 73.3 years. This alarming statistic is a wake-up call in itself. We are dealing with a broken healthcare system and widespread preventable diseases  from malaria, typhoid, high blood pressure, kidney failure, HIV/AIDS, and more. Many of our peers have died not because their time was up, but because the system failed them.

So, my brothers and sisters, how long do you think you still have on this earth? What have you achieved so far? What legacy are you building?

Many of us are still unmarried, and some are marrying on credit, going into debt just to fulfil societal expectations. Many still live in their parents’ homes or in rented apartments with no solid plan for the future. This is not the dream we were sold as children. But we must stop blaming everyone else. It’s time to take destiny into your own hands.

 Open Your Eyes: Stop Following Politicians Blindly;

Election after election, our people are deceived with sweet lies and empty promises. The same politicians who come to you with rice, wrappers, and fake smiles return to their air-conditioned lives in Abuja, Calabar, and overseas. They travel abroad for medical care while our clinics lack basic drugs. Their children school in London, Canada, and America — while ours struggle with strikes, insecurity, and poor facilities.

They drive on good roads in Europe while you guys swim through potholes. Yet, you shout APC today, PDP tomorrow, Labour Party next week, and ADC the next. My people, how long will we continue like this?

2027: Vote with Your Head, Not Your Heart.

As we approach the 2027 general elections, I appeal to you: don’t vote based on tribe, religion, pity, or party loyalty. Vote with your conscience. Vote for competence. Vote for vision. Vote for character. Nigeria and Cross River State are in desperate need of political intervention and reform. We need leaders who will fix roads, hospitals, schools, and jobs, not looters, who pocket the nation’s wealth while we suffer.

Let’s stop allowing a few individuals in power to loot our commonwealth while the masses are reduced to beggars. They throw peanuts at you during campaigns just to keep you small. They don’t want you to grow. They want you to remain dependent on them. Break free. Wake up.

Everyone is Important in Their Own Kingdom

There’s a powerful song in Bokyi that goes:

> "Ehh oga, ehh oga, awooo oga, metor/mbaaghe oga…" 

Its meaning? You may be in Abuja, Lagos, or Calabar, and they call you "Oga" there. But I am in Ogep Osokom or any part of Bokyi, and here too, they call me "Oga." Everyone is important in their own land. Let no one look down on you. Know your worth and build from where you are.

 

  

  Maxwell Etta: Write from Ireland 🇮🇪