God Almighty Has blessed the youth of every time phenomenal talents and exceptional courage but at the same time they are extremely vulnerable and susceptible. Hence if their talent is not nurtured correctly, the havoc and the problem they can cause is worse than that of the adults will put together. It is believed that the youngster never move by himself if he advances in good then he takes a nation with him, and if he plunges in evil an entire nation drowns with him. If the society will value the talent and the skills of this young man the horizon he will explore, the heights he will climb and the values he will add it will take decades and generations to achieve this. And hence the salient feature of a young man is courage because nothing is too daunting for him, naturally he likes things that challenges him.
But unfortunately the challenge the youth of today are faced are myriad of societal problems that are chanting and echoing whispers to the youth to abuse their talents. These challenges have significant effects on how these young people will eventually turn out as they reach adulthood.
Nigerian youth of today had been widely outclassed. Unlike previous generations; they are not considered as adult or children, hence are not too young to be pampered and not old enough to carry responsibilities on their shoulders. This has created a number of controversies in dealing with them. In this paper we will examine who are the youth, ex-rayed the most serious problems facing the Nigerian youth today and consider some solutions to help correct their course before it is too late.
Who are the youth?
Youth as it is said, is the most difficult part in the stages of life of an individual and each and every adult has passed.
In Nigeria a youth are described as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria aged between 18 to 35 years.
What are the root causes?
• Communication gap- The gap between the youth and the seniors/elders is wider now. They always believed they are old enough for taking decisions on matters arising on their personal or social issues while the latter just refuse to hand over this responsibility to them.
• Pressures- They are also faced with various pressures at this phase ranging from peer to media pressure. These come in form of dares, threats or competition into doing what one would avoid or what they heard or saw in the media.
• Illiteracy- Today many young people cannot afford to go to school. This makes them remain illiterate and shameless which further forced them in to child labour when they want to enjoy life like the rest of their age group. This has led a number of them into losing their life or limbs by doing jobs which are meant for adults.
• Growing up too past- Gone is the time when kids enjoyed being kids. At the earliest age today children are partaking in adult activities. Sex is now very popular as it is portrayed as a subject matter in our media. The movies, music, TV, internet and almost everywhere a kid turn he or she is bombarded with sexual suggestions of which back in the days one has to grow old enough in order to understand them.
Where are the Youth of this Time?
Nigerian youth today have shifted away from the right path, they are not congregating in lecture theatres, schools, mosques or churches but rather in show theatres, clubs, bars and other joints where social vices are taking place. This makes the future oblique.
Top issues facing Nigerian Youth today
Drug/Alcohol Abuse: In cinematic history there was a time where virtually every actor/actress was portrayed on a screen with a cigarette in hand. This was implied as cool by many, as a result everyone was doing it including children. With increasing awareness on the dangers of smoking these “cool” images reduced. But unfortunately, the same cannot be said about drugs and alcohol because they are staples in every media today. Simply one can say now drinking and using drugs is shown as being cool especially in our home shows.
The numbers are increasing right from our secondary schools. They are moving in an intoxicated daze amplifying immature behaviour. This led to poor grades in schools, low attendance, anti-social behaviour and violent as the list goes on
Violence in schools: Education is the foundation for which a child will be able to go forth out in to the world and build a life. But unfortunately schools have now turned from places of learning in to war zones. This has gone beyond minor bullying but rather to serious violence. Students are being murdered, stabbed, shots, and fought everyday in schools. This occurs as a result of cultism, rivalry or competitions.
Education Disparity: Education is an important tool for making individual an important member of the society. It provides the child with the opportunities to become successful in his life. In today’s Nigeria some people have it better than others. This issue is beyond just one school is better than another. Today average Nigerian cannot youth afford to go to school and those able to are faced with many challenges like dropouts, improper education that can prepare them to compete in a job market with their peers who have access to better paid schools. The financial status makes the poor average Nigerian to attend school lacking in many necessities and resources required for a good quality of education, while only the rich ones can attend highly equipped schools.
Socio-Political Issues: Nigerian youth have failed in the future leadership, they are backward in country’s politics as they are employed and used as political thugs. There is very little sense of belonging among the youth especially as parties opposed. This has resulted from them not being properly educated and guided.
Unemployment: This is described as a disease whose cure is still unknown. The high rate of unemployment occurs as a result of shifting economy, incompetency and lack of entrepreneur skills.
Depression: Stop any youth and let him pour his heart, the fears that are hunting him are sufficient to warrant depression. They are griped in the fear of future and life after graduation. In an effort to divert and distract their fear they indulge in to drug addiction especially the ecstatic ones which further aggravates the condition. Study has also linked depression and suicide, which we have started seeing now in our country.
What is the way forward?
In order to navigate the way forward, to get the attention of the youth back the following recommendations are made:
1. Education: The 9 basics should be made free and compulsory in every state. Children should be forced to go to school at this level, any child caught on the streets hawking during school time should be apprehended and his parents should be called on just like what is now being practiced in Lagos State.
2. Values and Morals: These should be install in children at schools and homes. Teaching of values and morals should be included in early school curriculum. The child should be able to learn how to live as acceptable member of the society based on the conformity with country’s rules and regulations.
3. Training: At every stage of education they should be trained in skill acquisition that will provide them some trades and occupation making them to develop themselves and become self-reliant.
4. Counselling: These services should not be only provided in schools but rather in the community also. The seniors should be able to counsel and admonish the youth in the community, they should not keep quite or fold their arms in what they are doing, rather they should guide them and serve as role model to them.

May God enstrength all of us with the spirit of dogged determination with aboundance of provisions in fulfilment of our Purpose of Creation.Amin

ticon4life:
May God enstrength all of us with the spirit of dogged determination with aboundance of provisions in fulfilment of our Purpose of Creation.Amin

Amin brother