(NIGERIA YOUTH DAY CELEBRATION

First day of November has been set aside to observe and celebrate National Youth Day in Nigeria. This was agreed and announced during the federal Executive Council meeting on 2nd/09/2020. While I appreciate and applaud President Muhammmadu Buhari, the minister of Youth, other stakeholders and not precluding Ambassador Sokubo Sara-igbe Sokubo the president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, in whose time history was made.

Therefore, placing issues on proper perspective, just like the World Youth Day Celebration and things it intends to achieve, the Nigeria Youth day, from my feeble knowledge seeks to complement the global celebration and further address plethora of issues which are obviously tied to the Nigerian Youth imperatives. As major perpetrators and victims of violence puppitied by selfish leaders and elites we are presented with a golden opportunity to rethought and place Nigeria on the threshold of smooth sailing to where we ought to be in terms of growth, development, peace, unity, integration and and progress.

It is expedient to note that, the phrase ' Youth are the leaders of tomorrow is from my own point of view fraudulent and an attempt that has succeeded in excluding the young people in governance and on the round table where decisions that has to do with their welfare and wellbeing are taken. While we take stock of the Nigerian Youth, you will agree with me that we have been taking off lane. Instead of holding the bull by the horns, it has for so long a time been held by its tail.

Interestingly, President Muhammmadu Buhari seeks to change the narrative, by allotting 1st day of every November for young people in Nigeria to celebrate and, while in the spirit of the euphoria identify areas we have failed ourselves and the expectations of our parents and country on us. And while our counterparts in other climes excel as a result of deliberate government policies and programs, we see this day as a step in the right direction.

It is also imperative for the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, which is Government Apex Youth Body under the leadership of Ambassador Sokubo Sara-igbe Sokubo to take opportunity of the profound Youth Day, especially before, during and after the Maiden Day Celebration to negotiate a better deal for the Nigerian Youth that will profer solutions to our lingering problems, bring about proper mentorship, provide job and wealth creation. If these are done and achieved at whatever ratio, it will no doubt reduce Youth restiveness, poverty and all forms of insecurity that has bedeviled us.

Finally, we look forward to a more robust collaboration between Government at all levels, multi national corporations, Non Governmental Organizations, willing wealthy individuals to tilt their efforts towards improving the worth and making the Nigerian Youth a better person on national basement and at global level.

BERNARD MUSA GHAT, VICE CHAIRMAN SOUTH NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA, KADUNA STATE CHAPTER.