Abstract
One possible meaning of the Greek word τολμηρήηγεσία (bold leadership) among the ancient Greeks was bravery and astuteness in managing human and natural resources. In this study, it is used in the context of fearlessness and willingness of the Nigerian youth to take up governmental responsibilities in leadership positions, which is achievable either through demanding governmental appointments or contesting elections for political positions through a free and fair political election. With the use of exegesis and hermeneutics, this study on τολμηρήηγεσία refers to Paul’s instruction to Timothy regarding bold leadership in I Timothy 4:11–12. 1 Timothy 4:11–12 is contextually seen as a call on Nigerian youth to adopt as a prototype; young Timothy who the elderly Paul encouraged in his words, not to allow anyone, despise his youth. This is to the intent of challenging Nigerian youth to become more proactive in national politics and governance in order to help Nigeria register its presence in the competitive global technological and scientific arena.Contribution: The study tries to understand the age influence on Timothy and how Paul tried to deal with it. This enabled the study to be of use in addressing the challenges that Nigerian youth go through in order to have their voices heard in Nigerian politics and to also call on the youth to grow above timidity towards bold leadership.
Highlights
There has been an increasing global clamour for inclusion of youth in government and politics (Krook & Nugent 2018:60), especially in Nigeria (Ibezim 2019:119–136)
The participation in vices should be frowned upon among Nigerian youth just as Paul spoke against it to Timothy, the political leadership in Nigeria has contributed a great deal to the frustrations of the youth which in turn takes away their ἁγνείᾳ
After examining Paul’s admonition to young Timothy to be bold and courageous despite all oppositions, especially for being a youth, the study applied this to the Nigerian context with emphasis on the current Nigerian youth
Summary
There has been an increasing global clamour for inclusion of youth in government and politics (Krook & Nugent 2018:60), especially in Nigeria (Ibezim 2019:119–136). Youth participation in politics so far as Nigerian system allows, is not to exercise their franchise by electing a political leader of their choice, but to serve as political tools, human machinery, merely to be used within the period of elections and voting, 3.That the political elite who hold power in Nigeria have refused to let go, but instead have changed over time, from being military class to bourgeoisie class is not in doubt Such transformation is said to have continued to ‘suppress and undermine people over time’ (see Uwaifo n.d.:11). Whilst this study may not agree with some of the reasons for condemning the act, its main concern and objection is that there exists other forms of political disenfranchisement, including poverty, lack of political connections and nonappointment to governmental positions that Nigerian youth presently face. With a little team work, the youth in Nigeria, can take the reins of power and boldly assert themselves, not just to clinch power but to use it constructively for the benefit of the masses
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