By joshua 
MEKA ADESINA SOJE: YOUTHFUL AND USEFUL
Mr. Moses ADEDEJI
Writes from Ogori Magongo LGA Kogi State
January 06, 2026
In every generation, there is a defining question placed before young people: What will you do with the time, energy, and opportunities given to you? While many societies celebrate youth for its vibrancy and creativity, fewer emphasize responsibility, purpose, and usefulness. The concept behind Meka Adesina SOJE: Youthful and Useful addresses this gap by redefining what it truly means to be young in today’s world—not merely alive with potential, but actively engaged in meaningful contribution.
Youthfulness is often described as a season of life marked by strength, curiosity, ambition, and vision. It is a period filled with possibilities, yet also with distractions and uncertainties. Many young people are told to “wait their turn,” to postpone responsibility until adulthood fully sets in. However, the idea of being youthful and useful challenges this narrative. It asserts that usefulness is not reserved for the future; it is a present-day calling.
Meka Adesina SOJE represents a philosophy that encourages young people to see themselves as valuable assets to their families, communities, and society at large. This philosophy does not deny the learning process of youth, but it rejects idleness, complacency, and wasted potential. It emphasizes that while youth is temporary, impact can be lasting when intentional effort is applied early.
Being useful begins with mindset. A young person who sees themselves as incapable or insignificant will rarely attempt meaningful contribution. On the other hand, a youth who understands that their ideas, skills, and actions matter is more likely to take responsibility and initiative. Usefulness is rooted in self-awareness—the ability to recognize one’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas of interest—and then deliberately work toward growth.
In practical terms, usefulness can take many forms. It may be expressed through academic excellence, skill acquisition, leadership, creativity, or service. A youthful individual does not need to hold a high position or possess great wealth to be useful. Helping others, solving problems, learning diligently, and demonstrating integrity are all powerful forms of contribution. The Meka Adesina SOJE philosophy highlights that usefulness is less about status and more about value.
Another key aspect of being youthful and useful is character development. Skills without character can lead to harm rather than progress. Discipline, honesty, respect, and perseverance are foundational traits that ensure youthful energy is directed positively. In a world where shortcuts and instant gratification are often celebrated, the commitment to strong values sets truly useful youths apart. Character provides direction, stability, and trustworthiness, making long-term impact possible.
The role of mentorship and guidance cannot be overlooked in shaping useful youths. No young person thrives in isolation. Meka Adesina SOJE underscores the importance of learning from those who have walked the path before. Mentors help refine vision, correct mistakes, and offer wisdom that saves time and effort. Youths who are open to guidance position themselves for accelerated growth and sustained relevance.
Furthermore, being youthful and useful involves purposeful engagement with society. Today’s world faces complex challenges—economic uncertainty, social inequality, moral decline, and rapid technological change. Rather than being overwhelmed or indifferent, young people are called to engage thoughtfully and responsibly. Whether through innovation, advocacy, education, or service, youths have the capacity to be problem-solvers rather than passive observers.
Importantly, usefulness also requires resilience.
Youth is often accompanied by failure, rejection, and mistakes. The difference between wasted youth and useful youth lies in response. A useful young person learns from setbacks instead of being defeated by them. They understand that growth is a process and that consistency matters more than perfection. Through resilience, youthful energy matures into wisdom and strength.
The message of Youthful and Useful also speaks to time management and priorities. Time is one of the most valuable resources available to young people, yet it is often underestimated.
How time is invested—in learning, self-improvement, service, or harmful distractions—shapes the future. Meka Adesina SOJE encourages youths to be intentional with their time, recognizing that habits formed early often define later outcomes.
In addition, the concept promotes positive influence. Youths are not only individuals; they are influencers within their peer groups and communities. A useful youth sets an example through actions, choices, and attitude.
This influence can inspire others to pursue growth, responsibility, and excellence. In this way, usefulness multiplies beyond the individual and contributes to collective progress.
Ultimately, Meka Adesina SOJE: Youthful and Useful is a call to action. It challenges young people to reject the idea that youth is merely a phase to endure or enjoy without responsibility. Instead, it presents youth as a powerful season for building foundations, discovering purpose, and creating impact. It affirms that being young is not a limitation but an advantage when aligned with vision, discipline, and service.
In conclusion, the strength of any society lies largely in how its youth are shaped and engaged. When young people embrace usefulness alongside youthfulness, they become catalysts for transformation.
The philosophy represented by Meka Adesina SOJE serves as a timely reminder that the future is not only something to wait for—it is something to prepare for and actively shape, starting now. To be youthful and useful is to live intentionally, serve faithfully, and contribute meaningfully, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond one’s age.
Mr. Moses ADEDEJI
Writes from Ogori Magongo LGA Kogi State
January 06, 2026