GPAA Chief Gola Boyoi urges youth to prioritize public service over personal gain

2026-03-03 - 14:38

PIBOR, GPAA (Eye Radio) – The Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), Chief Gola Boyoi Gola, has challenged young South Sudanese leaders to shift their focus from personal wealth to community service. In an exclusive interview, Colonel Gola criticized the trend of young people entering politics solely for financial gain. He argued that true leadership requires a period of preparation and a commitment to the public good. “Today, some young people are very ambitious for personal gains; they are not focusing on the public. What sets some of us apart, however, is that this is the start of my political journey. I recognize that if I make mistakes, I fail not just personally but in my mission.” Chief Gola. The Chief Administrator noted that his current priority is delivering results rather than seeking personal benefits. He urged the youth to use small community associations to sharpen their skills before stepping into high-level governance. “Leadership is fundamentally about preparation,” he said. “If you seize the opportunities available now through small associations and community involvement, you can equip yourself. When the chance to lead comes, you will then deliver to the best of your ability.” Turning to the history of the nation, Colonel Gola reminded the youth that the liberation struggle was won by an older generation that fought for more than twenty years. He stated that it is “unreasonable” to expect those elders to continue enduring hardships to develop the country today. “Our elders fought tirelessly for this nation; after over twenty years of struggle, it is unreasonable to expect them to endure hardship again to foster progress. The responsibility now falls on us to build and develop.” The Colonel also addressed internal friction among the youth, warning against attempts to undermine peers who have successfully attained leadership roles. He called for a “collective effort” to stabilize and develop South Sudan. “Let us not undermine ourselves and preserve our strength,” Gola urged. “Some young people are attempting to bring down those who have already climbed the ladder. I urge them to come together in unity, for we are their representatives.” He concluded by emphasizing that for the country to move forward, the new generation must remain “prepared, united, and respectful of our elders and leaders.”