THE TASK BEFORE NIGERIAN YOUTH

THE TASK BEFORE NIGERIAN YOUTH


BY RAYMOND OISE-OGHAEDE ON JULY 23, 2014 ·

There is this widely accepted saying that ‘the youths of today will grow up to become leaders of tomorrow.’ Be that as it may, there is no gain saying the fact that the youths, who constitute the majority in the Nigerian polity, are, unequivocally, the most important human resources in the socio-political and economic development and or otherwise of the country.
The upbringing we give to them will obviously determine the ways they will steer the ship of the nation in the nearest future. However, if we critically look at the above scenario, you will agree with me that their contributions in the affairs of our great country today will determine if there would still be a country called Nigeria for them to take over its governance tomorrow. In view of the aforementioned, there is every need to give our youths the best teachings, trainings and other societal benefits to make them responsible citizens.
Today, the situation in the country is worrisome because of the rate of crimes and insecurity. This could be blamed on the fact that majority of our youths are not gainfully employed. As the saying goes, ‘an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ As a result, there is an urgent expectation from government to create jobs and put other developmental programmes in place to drastically reduce the suffering of the masses. Institutions of higher learning are producing graduates every now and then, but, with the arbitrary age limits and or work experience set as standard requirements by majority of employers of labour, coupled with scarcity of vacancies, it is obvious that a good number of our graduates will never be employed in this generation. One will then begin to wonder if it is reasonable for people to go to school, in the first place. In a situation like this, what would you expect from people in this category when they receive the news of missing billions of dollars or when it is alleged that some office holders are expending so much and engaging in other extravagant ways of life? Thus, it is very pertinent for our leaders to show more sense of responsibilities by curbing these excesses and putting concrete programmes in place to alleviate the suffering of the masses.
As it were, it is no longer news to say that the youths have engaged themselves in various crimes and societal vices, ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, ritual killings, manufacturers and traders in innocent babies, street cultism, bombing and maiming of innocent citizens, to mention but a few. In whichever ways we look at the situation, it is obvious that the youths are aggrieved and disgruntled because our leaders have let them down. However, taking to crimes and all other vices is not and can never be the solution. It is based on this premise that I want to use this medium to appeal to our youths to desist from evils because they would rather compound the situation than solving them.
Nigerian youths should truly see themselves as leaders of tomorrow because whatever we sow today is what we shall reap tomorrow. Rather than engaging in all sorts of vices, we should start thinking of what to contribute towards rejuvenating our democracy and ensuring that the benefits are felt by all and sundry. If we agree that the youths constitute majority of the country’s population then, all is well and good. It means that our destinies are in our hands. If democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people, it means, it is the government of the majority of the electorate. So, why can’t we use our numerical advantage to rights the wrongs? In view of the above, I will enjoin the youths to shun all vices and come together to decide our future. Let us start by participating positively and actively in politics. Register your membership with any political party of your choice, so that you will be eligible to nominate and be nominated for elective positions. Also, ensure that if you have attained the voting age, you should register with INEC so that you can vote and be voted for in future elections.
Unlike in the pasts, where most people vote just to make up the numbers and or because of inducements from politicians, we should all have it at the back of our minds that our votes are our power that can make or break our future; so we must use them wisely. Henceforth, voting should be based on conscience, principles and concrete developmental programmes that will assuage our sufferings. If we continue to allow ourselves to be used for violence and other electoral malpractices, then, our relevance ceases as soon as we are paid for the dirty jobs. In this situation, it will be unjustifiable if we turn back to complain of misrule by our leaders in the events after. But, if we refused to yield to the advances of corrupt minded and unpatriotic politicians and decide to take our destinies in our hands by our positive and conscientious participations then, the sky will be the limit for us in the nearest future.
Inasmuch as I will want to agree that finance/funds could pose an obstacle to participation of majority of the youths in active politics, we can as well prove it to the world that money cannot buy our conscience and resolve to take our rightful places in governance. Billions of Naira cannot thumbprint ballot papers; it is the electorate that will determine the outcome of any election. We can actually make their corruptly acquired money to be useless in their pockets if we uphold our newfound convictions. Citizens of advanced democracies in the world cast their votes for conscience and principles and that is the reason they are better-off today.
I know it is easier said than done because our leaders have made hunger and sufferings part of us so that they can easily influence us with money to do their biddings but, if we resolve to put a permanent stop to all these sufferings then, we should be prepared and able to say ‘NO’ to their manoeuvering. It is high time we shunned crimes and negative manipulations of the youths by politicians and leaders. Let us have sober reflections, and remember the pre-independence era and appraise the activities of the youths. Let us remember the like of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mallam Aminu Kano, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Alvan Ikoku, Michael Imodu and Chief S. L. Akintola to mention but a few. Looking at how these selfless Nigerians labored, day and night, to ensure that the country attained independence and how they suffered to ensure its unity and stability, you will agree with me that if they that they stuck out their necks to fight and lay the foundation of their father’s land. Therefore, there is no reasons whatsoever the youths should not come together to sustain the legacies and even ameliorates the situation. Of course, we can do it and that is what should be our mindsets, going forward.  Thus, all our efforts should be focused on how we can positively contribute our quotas to the development of the polity by desisting from crimes and embracing constructive thinking and practices.
Inasmuch as this review placed so much emphasis on the youths, it is not to say that they should isolate themselves from older politicians. We can actually join forces with those who are patriotic and show good intentions toward alleviating the suffering of the masses. However, our voices must be heard and our impacts must be felt in the day-to-day running of the affairs that will positively affect our lives and that of our dependants. What we are saying differently is that we have the numerical advantage and should be able to decide those to be voted into power on a one-man, one-vote basis.
At this juncture, it is equally important to draw the attention of the youths to the provisions in the country’s constitution, which specified that the voting age is 18 years. In view of this provision, youths below the voting age should wait for the right time. Also, even if you are 18 years and above and you have not been previously registered to participate, please wait for the next opportunity to do so during the update of voters register by INEC. Do not allow yourselves to be used for electoral malpractices in any form. Posterity will not forgive us if we partake in any way to derail our democracy.
In conclusion, I am comfortably disposed to posit that if we follow the aforementioned steps and advices, the era of hunger, sufferings, violence, insecurity and other vices in our society will gradually be rolled away.  All well meaning Nigerians should translate/transmit this message of goodwill to the people through the easiest possible means and in the languages that will be most suitably comprehended, because sadly enough, most of our youths cannot read nor even afford to buy newspapers.