THE YOUTH: NIGERIA’S FUTURE BLINKS By Chigboja Gideon

 
Self sustainability is a product of adequate strength pushed towards manoeuvring economic activities which in turn serves as source of income for survival to those involved. No food for lazy man is a philosophical concept that has stood the test of time with valid and obvious proves over time because it preaches the need to be empowered with either services rendering or buying and selling, aimed at grasping credits for the purchase of life’s needs.
The world moves on the pedestal of economic relations with profits making intention aimed at meeting up with important desires of each Nation. The future generational prospect of a country is largely dependent on the economic viability of its teeming youths irrespective of tribe, religion and social strata. The Destiny of every strong or weak Nation strongly lies in the hands of its youth who are usually referred to as leaders of tomorrow, though questionable!
The Nigerian political, social, economic and religious terrains all evolve around the engagements of both old and young minds for fortunes searching adventures. Some youths in Nigeria most times are largely referred to in some instances as instruments of nuisances across board. The future of a Nation blinks with awaiting bleeding times if its young generation can’t be trusted with little powers of Governance in all aspects.
Worthy of note are the positive trends that manifested in the early days of Nigeria with independence struggles. During the colonial era, young Nigerians led in the struggle for independence. As early as 1944, Nmandi Azikiwe, still in his 30s, founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroun (NCNC). Meanwhile, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Belawa, Almadu Bello and Samuel Akintola, amongst many others in their 20s and 30s, rose to prominence through their positive Nationalism in activism.
The present day youths in Nigeria have developed lackadaisical attitude towards Nation building because a recent research unveiled that 65% are of the view that politics is a dirty game, meant for those who own the whims and caprices of power both in cash and violence. Well, can we beat the researcher’s conclusions? You know the truth! The believe in one’s Nation by youths has been drastically reduced, though premised on the volatile atmosphere around it.
During elections in Nigeria, the most valid and valuable set of humans to political gladiators are the youths as they’ve got the young blood capable of reaching the extreme zenith of proving their supports for candidates who may have empowered them with little cash that ranges from #5000 to #10000. Sometimes, instruments for destructions and panic creation, around electoral environments are purchased and delivered to them with deceitful satisfaction. Once the elections are over, the weapons become enemies to travellers on our highways with Kidnappings and armed Robberies.
In a recent visit by the author of this piece to one of the 36 States, youths were seen giving out different kinds of receipts to marketers, travellers and bike riders with varying names, and funny enough these receipts must be collected by the targeted people, resistance will be meted with violence at an instance from the givers. Now, what’s the hope of today’s youth for tomorrow, what can the Government do, tailored towards flushing out these traits, how can the future of our dear country be guaranteed with this kind of young minds?
These questions must be answered accurately to breed up very responsible, intelligent and Nation building generation. On the other side, the get rich quick syndrome that has eaten deep into the bones and marrows of today’s youth must be tamed with seriousness as it can destroy future generations. June 10th 2020, Raymond Abbas (Hushpuppi), an Instagram celebrity was arrested by Police in United Arab Emirate and was extradited to USA on charges bordering on Business Email Compromise (BEC) which he has utilized in ripping off hard earned Millions of Dollars from unsuspecting victims.
He’s a Nigerian and has successfully encroached negatively on the international perceptions of our country’s image. How can you entrust a Nation’s Treasury into the hands of people like Hushpuppi? As published by Nairametrics.com, six (6) Nigerians were accused of internet fraud against Americans and the suspects are between 25 to 35 years of age. These are youths who should be engaging in legal economic adventures for good life but they want it quick which subsequently will land them in serious problems. Enough is enough!
To end these long narratives of issues, first, the Nigerian youth must realise that nothing good comes easy, every Glory has stories behind it, you can’t climb a tree from the top. The ones who avail themselves to politicians to be used as agents of massive destruction should know that the pea nut cash they do receive from desperate politicians can not help them in building a viable financial future.
If the fight to cling unto political powers is so desired by the Nigerian big wigs, youths should tell them to use their children on the field, the validity of their lives can not and should not be dependent on what comes from those who share weapons rather than employment letters. The youth should know that engaging in internet scams by defrauding unsuspecting public of their hard earned coins will not take them anywhere because there’s an adage that says, “many days for the thief, one day for the owner”. As seen in the public space, Hushpuppi has met his waterloo and will spend years in U.S prison.
Nigerians on the corridors, where the dexterity of political powers are exercised should have future and fortunate plans for teeming youth, rather than buying them guns and other life taking weapons for elections, give them employments, educate them, help them to realise Nation building is a duty of all and politics is not a do or die affair. With these, we can have a vibrantly prosperous young generation in time to come.