(By Kolapo Abidemi)
“The
Nigerian government is still using antiquated approaches that are
antithetical to the principles of sustainable development as regard the
policy affecting the youths. The National confab which comprises
recycled crops of aging politicians whose interests are not predicated
on issues affecting the Nigerian youths have further substantiated this
fact. The confab should have been youth centred, providing avenue of
expression and civic engagement“.
IF we recall the popular catch-phrase:
‘Youths are the future leaders of tomorrow ‘ made by our leaders of
yesterday who are still voraciously clinging on to the baton of power,
we wonder when exactly is the future going to arrive for the youths.
Unfortunately, this has robbed the youths of their potential, their
ability and responsibility to be the leaders of today, thus subjecting
them to a state of passivity, ineptitude and gross irresponsibility
towards promoting national growth and productivity.
The fundamental component and major
investment of society that remains underutilised and neglected are the
youths. It is the youths who are the bedrock for effective and
sustainable development. Young people are in the critical and
uninhibited process of learning and inventing, therefore if they are
given incarnate responsibility, they will accept the challenge and will
be a driving force in making a progressive impact in our economy.
In this present day and age, a typical
Nigerian youth seem to have discarded the core values and principles of
moral dignity, intellectual pursuits of excellence and the need to
integrate themselves in the collective responsibility towards national
development.
In my days as a youth corps member, I
went with zeal to make a long lasting impact in the place of my primary
assignment but I was shocked to see the youths frustrating all efforts
to welcome change and progress. Majority prefer to tread the path of
shame and dishonour by engaging themselves in inglorious vices such as
oil bunkering, pipeline vandalisation, kidnapping, political thuggery,
prostitution, etc. I was also shocked to see the youths being taught
‘Olumba Olumba ‘ in a Christian religious class. Are these the future
leaders of tomorrow?
The national youth development policy
(2001, P.1) asserts that ‘‘Youths are the foundation of a society.
Their energies, inventiveness, character and orientation define the pace
of development and security of a nation. Through their creative talents
and labour power, a nation makes giant strides in economic development
and socio-political attainment. In their dreams and hopes, a nation
founds her motivation on their energies; she builds her vitality and
purpose. And because of their dreams and aspiration, the future of a
nation is assured.’’
Conversely, with the high level of
indiscipline, religious extremism, ethnic jingoism, political shenanigan
and other vices being displayed by our youths who are considered the
future leaders of tomorrow, is the future of our great nation not at
stake?
Unemployment in Nigeria today has
become every youth nightmare. It is no longer about going to school and
graduating or learning a trade, but about how to face the reality of
graduating and joining the brigade of the unemployed youths.
The Nigerian government is still
using antiquated approaches that are antithetical to the principles of
sustainable development as regard the policy affecting the youths. The
National confab which comprises recycled crops of aging politicians
whose interests are not predicated on issues affecting the Nigerian
youths have further substantiated this fact. The confab should have been
youth centred, providing avenue of expression and civic engagement.
There seem to be a new face of emerging challenges seriously affecting
the youths and this may cause a drift to anarchy if the government
refuses to beam the searchlight on issues affecting the youths.
The government in advanced countries
has placed high priority on matters regarding the welfare of their
youths and their policy has in some way positively affected the young
people by institutionalising many youth centered organisations primarily
focused on reflecting the views and serving the needs of the young
people. They provide a space where young people can organise for action
to meet community needs and experience group processes, strengthening
youth vigilance in combating corruption through advocacy and networking.
Our youths should begin to view
themselves as the leaders of today capable of creating incremental
changes by making their ambitious ideas a reality today rather than
waiting for the future. The Nigerian youths should begin to embark on a
transformational process by creating a political paradigm shift strong
enough to sweep away our aged economic predators through unrestricted
creativity, inspirited action and ardent activism. The future begins
now!
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