Let me start by saying that the expression ‘youth are
the leaders of tomorrow’ in my view seems out of place or not complete but
regrettably its has find its way into the outlook of vast numbers of youth,
thereby debilitating their ability to be upbeat, it should be ‘youth are the
leaders of today and tomorrow’ or better still ‘youth are leaders’ The most
populous country in Africa, Nigeria accounts for approximately one sixth of
African population (or one fifth of Sub-Saharan African population).
The
proportion of children below the age of 15 in 2010 was 42.8%, 53.8% was between
15 and 65 years of age, while 3.4% was 65 years or older . without any doubt
the average age of Nigeria is 17, consequently Nigeria is young, the Nigerian
youth are imperative to change not only in Nigeria also in Africa as a whole.
Roughly defined, youths are persons between the ages of 17 and 35 years.
Therefore, all things being equal, they are supposed to be strong as well as be
able to give and take the best that society offers. Youth are one of the
greatest assets that any nation can have and undoubtedly, the greatest
investment for a country’s development. Whether Nigeria is investing properly
in her youth is debatable but there is no gainsaying the fact that a lot of
young Nigerians had made and continues to make sacrifices for national
development. It is, therefore, not surprising that during the Trans-Atlantic
Slave Trade; those who were shipped to America and Europe to work under inhuman
conditions were basically youths. The hard infrastructure built in the US, for
example, was undertaken with slave labour.
As part of being determined and committed to
transforming Nigeria, the youths must keep the hope alive. Youths are the hope.
The future carries the hope and youths remain that future. How that future will
look like depends on how the youths start the process of transformation now.
How that future will affect youths as individuals, as family, as community, as
a nation and as humanity, depends on how the journey begins.
But to embark on
that journey, it is important that our youths understand that economic
development has always been propelled by classes and groups interested in a new
economic and social order amidst the opposition of those who desire to sustain
the status quo. Thinking outside the box! Honor be giving to those whom honor
is due to, Some Nigeria youth are leaders already, I imply even in most
obnoxious times and setting they survive. Despite the harsh investment climate
and near absent support system, the Nigerian youth have built and sustained a
flourishing entertainment industry.
The youth have repeatedly brought honors to the
country through sports noteworthy is the just concluded tournament, the under
17 football team made us proud although they didn’t bring the cup home. There
are a numerous youth-led initiatives in every part of Nigeria and the impact of
their activities on national development cannot be overemphasized, our
prestigious lasulaws boast of some brilliant young minds like damilola mumuni-
lifeline academy, tunji -black and white magazines, pastor marvis -portals
foundation and many others sagacious mind I couldn’t mention here.
In spite of the remarkable impacts made, there still
remains a minute segment of the youth population that engages in underhanded
and despicable activities. Some even think the only way they can contribute is
to do nothing but spend all their time to malign and castigate every public
office holder using social media without coming up with alternative ideas. The
question now becomes, are the youth doing enough? The answer will depend on
what one considers as “enough”. But there is one thing I’m convinced about, we
will surely do more than enough when the government strengthens the economy and
jobs are available for the teeming youth population. It’s time for expedient
action to institute transformational leadership at all levels of governance
within the polity. Let us do more to make this happen. May God bless the
Nigerian youth.