Youth can be referred to as the time of life when one is young. In much of sub-Saharan Africa, the term “youth” is associated with young men from 15 to 30 or 35 years of age. Nigerian youth includes all members of the Federal Republic of Nigeria aged 18–35. Anybody less than 40 years of age can be regarded as a youth.
Youth leadership is the practice of teens exercising authority over themselves or others. Youth leadership has been elaborated upon as a theory of youth development in which young people gain skills and knowledge necessary to lead civic engagement, education reform and community organizing activities.
Youths are the building blocks of any society and often referred to as the leaders of tomorrow. So their mindsets and roles should be channeled in the right direction towards the development of any society. It’s good to be young, needed and useful!
Nothing is going to happen in our nation until Nigerian youths arise and lead the change for development. God can do nothing except through you. If you want to see real progress and development in Nigeria, change your ‘sit down look’ attitude, think outside the box, become restless and escape from your redundant position, search for knowledge and develop your country.
The older generation has failed the younger generation for too long. Now, it’s time for Nigerian youths to take the lead and cause a positive change by active participation in the policy making and leadership of our country. It is not profession but participation by the youths that will attract development and secure the future of Nigeria. The youths control the majority of votes cast during elections, they end up controlling nothing after politicians win elections. Macron’s emergence as president-elect of France is a challenge to Nigerian youths and a wake-up call to the role of youth in global politics. The Nigerian youth should not only cast vote during election, but be voted for into leadership position.
Are you ready to see how Nigeria can take great strides in development and be regarded as a developed and not developing nation? Then ask yourself, am I ready to take the responsibility of developing my country by my contribution? Don’t think you are insignificant to the growth of this country. Nigeria cannot develop until we collectively add our quota to see her develop to become the real giant of Africa. Every Nigerian, especially the youth has a role to play in securing the future of this country. Stop asking questions and look for answers! Stop blaming your ancestors for the decadence in the society and start rebuilding the broken down walls. Be the solution to Nigeria!
‘A close look at the history of Nigeria shows how much the youths have featured prominently in political leadership and governance. But in recent times, the story is not exactly the same. Shehu Shagari became a Federal Legislator at the age of 30 and a Minister at the age of 35. M.T. Mbu became a Minister at the age of 25 and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom at the age of 26. Richard Akinjide became Minister of Education at the age of 32. Maitama Sule became Oil Minister at the age of 29. Audu Ogbeh was a Minister at the age of 35. He is still serving today as a minister. And the list goes on.’
A report on BusinessDayonline.com states “Nigeria is failing to prepare about 70 per cent of its population who are below 30 years of age for jobs and skills of the future, due largely to obsolete education curricula. Africa’s most populous nation ranked 25 out 26 countries on the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) human capital optimisation index for Africa, coming in only before Chad, a country that has been destabilized by civil unrest since 2008.” Education is the cornerstone of any country’s future. Education here should be more than, just knowing facts and receiving recognition for being able to attain such; but, it should be holistic in nature, teaching more than just knowing data, and nurturing potentials in the leaders of tomorrow.
‘No doubt Nigeria is seating on a gun powder ready for explosion, if the reality of frustration and hopelessness among the vast majority of Nigerian youths are anything to go by. Therefore, it is important, for policy makers, parents and political leaders, to understand and appreciate that, youth are the future of this country; therefore, their mindsets and creativity should be a major concern to the nation.’ They should be gainfully employed, and made to contribute to the overall growth of this nation by giving them political positions. The strength of a nation lies in the potential of its youths.
What is the way forward for the youths?
Be educated or acquire a skill; get actively involved in politics; become usefully employed no matter how paltry the job is; say no to prostitution; stop kidnapping and armed robbery, mentor other youths to become responsible and be a change agent. It is time to force your way to relevance. It is time to take responsibility for the future because the future will not be inherited- it will be earned. Work hard for the interest of your nation, and have a national purpose of positive change.
You are the leaders of tomorrow. Start acting as one now!
EXCERPTS:
- “Nigeria 2009 National Youth Policy”
- http://saharareporters.com/article/nigeria-youth-and-national-development
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_leadership
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- Excerpts from a Tweet-Chat on Nigerian Youth in Politics and Governance Hosted by @Raisers_Network (#RaisersConnect)
- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/angry-letter-to-nigerian-youth-the-future-is-here-with-us/
