As we commemorate International Youths Day, it leaves me wondering where we all got it wrong at the same time pondering what the future holds for us. The ideal age range of youth is becoming confusing with different schools of thought. Some feel it is between 18 to 40 years old, another is 18 to 35 years old, yet some others 18 to 29 years old. Whatever be the case, my definition of a youth is someone who has the ability, resources, knowledge, and time to still make life count.
The average youth is faced with many responsibilities covering their parents, themselves, and their nations. Growing up under the watchful eyes of their parents and guardians, some youths have fallen into the trap of distractions from fulfilling their God-given destinies. Thirsty for validation, clout chasing, and misplaced priorities coupled with lack of focus, some youths have drifted from purpose and are being used as tools for destruction. This can be traced to the misuse of social media, which if used well can be a powerful force.
Unemployment taking the front seat, many youths are idle doing nothing with their lives. As they say, an idle man is the devil’s workshop. These youths have succumbed to self-destructive activities- theft, drug abuse, and what have you. President Mohammed Buhari may have been right to have said that we have a bunch of lazy Nigerian youths. Instead of going out to ‘hustle’ or learn new employability skills, many youths prefer to cut corners to make it. They forget that hard work and diligence are the required ingredients for success. Instead, they are devoting more time scheming through social media to be entertained while away their precious time. They forget the best time to be active is in the prime of youthfulness. They would rather find comfort in complaining or adopt the ‘sit-down’ look approach rather than be the solution providers. If the richest man in Africa, Alike Dangote is still very much in the business of making more profits, who are the Nigerian youths to stay back and watch how things go.
This goes without saying that the economy is not helping matters. The Twitter ban has adversely affected some youth-led businesses. Inflation and insecurity are other sides of the coin the youths have to contend with. A day hardly goes by without a news report of kidnapping, insurgency attacks, and other vices. Those that are mostly involved are the youths and they attack well-meaning youths.
As the rate of corruption has heightened, the business environment remains stifled. It is heartbreaking to hear of Nigerian youths who are supposed to be ambassadors tarnishing the image of the country. One of such cases is those of them involved in internet fraud. Invictus Obi who was once a celebrated achiever turned out to be a ‘yahoo yahoo’ genius boy. Hushpuppi joins him in this hideous crime blacklisting the country’s name, spoiling its chance of reclaiming its dignified position on the world map.
Before now, the incessant ASUU strikes have disrupted the educational system. This is one institution that any serious government should highly invest in but the reverse is the case. How do we expect poorly paid teachers teaching in messy infrastructure to give the best? The outcome is pathetic as expected. It is now a situation of half-baked graduates. It is even more embarrassing for the so-called graduate to be unable to clearly express themselves, but this is just one of the many cases.
Now that resident doctors are still on strike that has added more to the country’s health crises. The majority of the doctors run private businesses to make ends meet neglecting their major business. It is only in Nigeria that a graduate of medicine would settle for a customer care job. It is easy to analyse the problems and woes of the Nigerian youth. Notwithstanding the ball remains in the court of the youth, and how they manage their time and make life count is an individual responsibility. The earlier they stay relevant and useful, the better they are before becoming frail and weary from old age.
Written by Patricia Uyeh