Is Buhari Too Old? By Mark Ademola Israel

Some years ago an 80years old Kenyan, a man, made history when he started school. He wanted to learn how to read and write at 80. This man sat in the class with children who were younger than the youngest of his great grand children. I told my uncle he was wasting his time. But that was then, I won't say such a thing today.

Some years ago a Nigerian graduated with a first class degree in law ahead of his son who was in the same class with him. He was 56years old.

Recently, an 80years old American was celebrated having earned a degree in law. He stood out during graduation.

Last month, a Zambian president died in office at age 77. He became president at 74. But Michael Sata as he was called was one of the most loved presidents Zambia ever had. He did so much in 2years than his precessor did in 4. They were age mates.

I'm not trying to teach history this Morning; we've all heard about these people. Just that some of us decided to forget. Have we ever asked ourselves why Rilwanu Lukman, now late, was always been called by successive governments to come and use his magic wand in the petroleum industry? Even though he was old? What about the highly respected Christopher Kolade?

Now, that's not to say the youth are incompetent. The chairman of National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinaku, is a young man. Yet, he's performed extra ordinarily well. We've never had a better chairman. What about the minister of agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina? These are great minds.
There're so many youths doing this country proud, but so are the old ones too. Age should not be given preference over competence. Ex president Obasanjo is 20years older than President Jonathan, yet you'll agree with me that he looks more vibrant than Mr Jonathan.

Now, the reason why I wrote this is because of a Facebook post I saw yesterday. Find it below.

"Some nigerians are funny...... how can u be happy abt d fact that an old man called Buhari won the APC primaries? What kind of development do u expect from a man who am pretty sure can't operate an android phone? A 71 years old man is definitely not the best candidate to take Nigeria to the next level."

This young man is asking Nigerians - those that are dissatisfied with the present government - to stick to it because the alternative is a 71years old man who can't use an android phone.
He did not question his competence. No, just his age and the phone he could operate.
I once watched a Prof being interviewed on Aljazeera recently. He does not even use the internet. Not even a mobile phone. Yet he was one of the best in his field.

Only recently, we heard the youngest Nobel winner, Malala Yousafzai, refer to her phone as a "distraction". We know how brilliant she is - even though some people think she has not done much to deserve a Nobel price.

On a final note, If Gandhi decides to come back to life as an 80years old and he's contesting against Jonathan, who'll you vote for?

Congratulations to Gen. Muhamoudu Buhari on his victory in the APC primaries.

- Mark Ademola Israel

#IWriteWhatILike

This post was first published on my Facebook page on 12th December, 2014.