Youths Should Reject the Cliché of Being the “Leaders of Tomorrow” -By Umar Farouk

Since begining of democratic government, Nigeria is suffering from a deficit of ideas that are reflective of the dynamics of growth and development because we continue to place it’s progress in the hands of burned out, old and recycled policy makers. However, there is no doubt that the elders have failed to put in place effective programmes for the country. 

Any serious country should devote a lot of energy and resources to building the youth to be productive. Any country that refuses to develop its youth will endanger its future. When the leadership potentials of young people are not developed, the seeds of failure are being sown. We cannot really talk about democracy and development without the participation of citizens including young people.

Youth constitutes the backbone and the future of any nation. The progress and future development of any nation depends to a large extent on the youth. This is why most nations have concrete development programmes for their youth. But, in Nigeria they have been neglected and relegated to the background, All facets of life including family, schools, religious organisations and government have neglected youth developments. 

The place and importance of the youths in society cannot be overemphasized. This was adequately captured in Nigeria Youth Policy which stated that: ” youths are of great asset to a nation. Not only are they legitimately regarded as the future leaders, they are potentially and actually the greatest investment for a country’s development.

Those who share this perception of progress have laboured and settled on the choice of incorporating Young Minds where intellect dwells, where instinct is their abode, where wisdom is their bedrock, a youths with an extremely functional creative instinct whose iron cast commitment to the service of his country is not in doubt.

Government has a great role to play in youth development. It is not enough to formulate a youths policy and do virtually nothing about its systematic implementation at all levels of government. If the country I yearn to see an emancipation from the shackles of political subjugation that has been our lot for donkey years. I believe so much in balance in governance. I have faith in the strength of youth, our power and vigor.

Like the TV documentary, the youths are the protectors of Nigeria’s posterity. If we are wiser, this time we shall decease from becoming the destroyer of our future.

The youths on their part also have failed themselves more often because the politicians know how to exploit them, especially during the elections where the demands of Nigerians are high and unfortunately selfish. The young minds, known for optimism and creativity has been conditioned by the deficiencies of their needs into frivolity, about as high as 65% of our youths are nonchalant about the redemption of this country.

I have watched tapes of pre-election and post-election violence with stunning interest, battling at understanding what the youths I view on-screen seem to be angry about? Is it really the marginalization of their candidates or the hunger in their stomach? Because most of these youths don’t look like they know what they are fighting for. Only what they can recall is that they want their man. Of course they will want the man who has been feeding them and providing them with enough items that will ensure they grow from human beings into wild wolves. They only fight because they’ve been asked to fight, as the only way to assessing some vane promise. These promises most often are denied right before them as soon as they execute the assignment given them.

What is the youth worst fear? The fear of survival I guess! Our destiny lies more in our decision to be free than be bond to the chain of fear. We cannot continue to cry foul while in implicit in the exclusion that prevails in the state and country.

I know some youths have resolved to do the right thing, as their own quota towards sustaining democracy. There is the need for a greater of the youth population to stick to their inner voice.

Because the disaster in this is the retrogression in just about every sphere of our engagements as a country that we see, from failing infrastructures to non-existent utilities, poverty of ideas and effete policies.

The time to stand up for something is Now, actions more than words is our identity, if it is to happen, it is up to us. We must not be afraid to take the right chances as opportunity thrusts it on our path.

Until then the fragile nature of our youths would be sustained and is expected to remain that way.

Best wishes and God bless us all.

Umar is a columnist and academia write from Jigawa. He can reaches via 07032843368, daddyjahun@yahoo.com