NIGERIAN YOUTHS, WHICH WAY?: THE CHALLENGES AND THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Abraham Lincoln in one of his notable quotes said" always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other".Shortly after independence,the Nigerian youth have not been given much role in the sociopolitical space in the Nigeria state.Recall that the founding fathers of this country that gave Nigeria it's template were youths in their late 20s and early 30s.Not much of those Nigerian dreams have been met by the elders in their 60s and 70s that took over power from these young and energetic Nigerians.One will be forced to ask, what happen to the Nigerian youths of today? The welfare of youths have been a topic for campaign by our elders in build up to elections and this same youths will be forgotten shortly after being elected.
I recall a certain incident in enugu state by the immediately past administration where over 170 youths were sent to songhai farms Benin republic to acquire some agric skills in a bid to empower them and thereafter train thousands of other youths to be self reliant.this youth program was sponsored by world bank but later became a charade. The idea was to build world class institutes at both Adani and heneke in enugu state but was completely abandoned and money diverted. Most of the youths involved who spent 6months of their lives for the training are yet to recover from the"kalo kalo". The then commissioner for agriculture, Dr olaedo stated and I quote "if you plant 1 hectare of ose Nsukka(Nsukka yellow pepper ),in 3months you will make #1 billion but I've not come across any market in enugu where ose Nsukka from olaedo farm is being sold. I call all that olaedoic abracadabra. Some youths in their late 30s and early 40s have done the state and nation proud. Chief John Nnia Nwodo(fmr information minister ), Frank Nweke Jr(fmr information minister ) and most recently Ozo Nwabueze Okafor (okpochengene).Ozo Okafor, when he was the L.G chairman of enugu south taught ndI enugu that a council chairman can actually do asphalt roads. He was subsequently elected the national president of ALGON were he brought in remarkable reforms and fought tirelessly for LG autonomy in Nigeria. He later contested for senate(enugu east) where these elders feared that he will floor their records if they allow him get to the senate.
In zamfara state,alhaji sani shinkafi(wambai ) who is a youth in his early 40s contested to be governor of that state and was stampeded by these elders who were intimidated by his towering profile.H.E Ayo Fayose became governor of ekiti state in his early 40s in 2003,he was impeached because he was changing the old order and his desire to build a new ekiti state.thanks to the judicially which quashed the kangaroo impeachment. these treatment towards the Nigerian youth most stop. Let's not forget that every society needs the wisdom of elders and energies of the youths. In that case, they are partners In progress. Few leaders like Gov Willie Obiano (akpokue dike ) and sir Victor Umeh OFR (Ohamadike) who understands that no meaningful development can be achieved without the youths have always prioritize the interest of youths In their dealings. Gov Obiano has 35% Youths In his present cabinet no wonder his developmental strides.

THE CHALLENGES:

Poverty is one of the notable challenges the Nigerian youth faces. They are being left at the mercy of these old politicians who employ their services every 4years as thugs and abandoned them thereafter. These leaders will always want to perpetuate themselves in power. Just like what is happening in enugu state where men and women who were federal lawmakers/commissioners when I was in JSS were recycled as commissioners and SPAs to the governor in 2015 which tells that the future will continue to be an illusion for the youths in the state.
There is no mentoring or succession plan in this part of the world and this possess a serious threat to our society.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

Nigerian youths should come together,look inward and shun vices to be able to fight this cankerworm. From statistics, youths constitutes 70% of our population and I think our size(number) should be our strength to right the wrongs we hate to see.
Some youths both in Nigeria and diaspora have given us reasons to smile even in the mist of suppression. Chuka Umunna and Helen Mukoro have made attempts to be prime minister /president of Britain and Spain respectively.Also recently, Daniel Dada Ayodele made 5.0 C.G.P.A in unilag. They are all Nigerian youths we are so proud of. You too can attain such feat.
Looking inward I mean,identifying your God-given potentials,develop it to benefit you and your immediate environment. Government are overwhelmed by the growing number of youths in the country and can't give jobs to everybody. I strongly advice that while In school,youths should try and acquire at least a skill on what is trendy in your locality,perfect on it and become your own boss on graduation. This will give the youth a sense of independence and propel you to continue to push for your dream. You Will be too busy to be hired as a thug during elections. Remember,these elders will never hire their wards/relations as thugs. Again, I stand to be corrected.No thug have been elected the president of any country,no thief /criminal have been elected a governor,no ill educated youth will be able to address the United Nations General Assembly just like little Yousfzai Malala did with ease.
Youths should form youth cells /groups in their localities where they will discuss leadership as it affects them. They should try and pick /support one of them for elective positions at any level and by so doing, youths will vote themselves into power and help solve the perennial problems confronting youths.
Finally,education should be the strongest tool to prepare any youth for leadership. One should endeavour to equip himself/herself with the basic education that will sustain you at any point in your career. The leadership of political parties national youth leaders forum and the special assistant to the president On youths and students affairs are presently In Talks to bring out ways to reposition the Nigerian youth in the Nigerian space. Also,the office of the national youth leader of APGA is working on affirmative action for youths under certain age bracket and criterias to run for political offices In our platform.
.........Nigeria will be great again.God bless us all.
Long live APGA!
Long live Nigerian youths!!
Long live the federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

Comrade Chuks nwoga
APGA national youth leader