<\/p>\n\n\n
Sometimes in 2014, our own \nNobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka attended his 80th birthday \ncelebration organised at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and during \nthe celebration, he was asked by a journalist what he felt about the \ncurrent generation of youth in Nigeria. He responded by describing the \ncurrent generation of youth as an \u2018\u2019endangered generation\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a graduate student of the same university as at that time, I was \nshocked and confused, endangered \u2018ke\u2019. Why would he say so? \nNevertheless, they say what an elder sees while sitting, a child will \nnot see even when standing. Fast forward to 2019, with current indices \nand challenges confronting youth in Nigeria, one would not be wrong to \ndescribe Soyinka as a prophet of our time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every 12th of August, has been set aside by the United Nations as a \nday to celebrate the achievements and address the struggles of youth \nacross the world. On this occasion, young people in Nigeria will join \ntheir counterparts across the world in solidarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, for majority of youth in Nigeria, there is relatively \nnothing to celebrate. Only few days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari \nreleased the list of ministerial nominees, alas, youth were not \nconsidered for these positions, despite being well equipped, well \ninformed and qualified. In fact of all forty-three nominees, women got \nonly seven nominations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a 2018 consultation, commissioned by the United Nations Secretary-General titled \u2018The Missing Peace: Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security\u2019, one key recommendation was that for any nation to experience peace and prosperity, it is very essential to address the perception of injustices and marginalisation faced by young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Nigeria, young people are confronted with several structural injustices and marginalisation, which may also be responsible for the high rate of youth restiveness, insecurity, youth participation in violent extremist acts and other criminal activities. While it is not new to label youth as engineers and perpetrators of violence, this would not have been possible if the socioeconomic and political triggers are taken care of. Nonetheless, majority of young people are overcoming the structural barriers and contributing meaningfully to national growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One significant concern of every household in Nigeria now is the rate\n and effects of (youth) unemployment. Nigeria currently boasts of an \nunemployment rate of about 27 percent, with strong indications this may \nskyrocket to 30 percent by 2020. With this statistics, it is obvious \nwhatever effort or initiative of the current administration is just \ninsignificant when compared to the unemployed population in Nigeria. A \nlot more needs to be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, the inability of youth to cater for themselves is becoming worrisome and embarrassing for a nation that prides herself as the giant of Africa and this should be a wake up call for any sensitive administration. Many youth who are above the age of 30 years still go to and rely on their retired parents for financial subsistence. The gap between the rich and the poor has become unexplainable with less than 1% of the nation\u2019s population who are political office holders enjoying the commonwealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The theme for this year\u2019s youth day \u2018Transforming Education\u2019 could not have come at a better time when Nigeria\u2019s education system is totally deformed. The kind of education received is obsolete and not relevant to human survival and sustenance. Majority of youth lack the skill and capacity to fit into 21st-century industries across the world. No wonder hundreds of youth storm Walter Carrington every day in an attempt to depart Nigeria to access better education and better life in countries where leaders are sensitive to the welfare of their citizens and residents. The state of primary and secondary schools across Nigeria are nothing to write home about. Even our university professors and lecturers, who are supposed to be proffering solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting the nation, are now renowned for \u2018catching them young\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigerian youth also lack the needed support and protection. Only \nrecently, it was brought to the notice of the world that the \nhumanitarian crisis in the northeastern part of Nigeria has hit its \ntenth anniversary. Thousands of young men and young women have been \nsacrificed on the alter of violence, yet there is no peace in sight. \nThose who are fortunate to escape the daily sacrifices of souls in Borno\n and Yobe States are elsewhere been killed, harrassed and victimised by \nthe officers of the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad and the \nDepartment of State Services. We remember the reckless killing of Kolade\n Johnson and Francis Eni in Lagos. Nigerian youth abroad are also not \nimmuned. The mere presentation of the green passport at any of the entry\n points abroad is followed with extreme security checks and \nstigmatisation. The Nigeria youth is truly endangered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As requested by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, \nwhich Nigeria co-sponsored, government must ensure the protection of \ncivilians especially youth at all times. It must end the gross \nviolations of fundamental human rights and other injustices committed \nagainst youth and humanity. Youth in Nigeria constitute over 65 percent \nof the nation\u2019s population, hence, government must increase their \nparticipation and inclusion at key decision-making institutions at \nlocal, state and national levels and in mechanism for preventing and \nresolving conflicts. Government must adopt 20 percent quota to allow \nmore youth participation in formal government structures. Our \npoliticians and political parties must let go of our youth councils and \nstudent bodies. These organisations must be allowed to represent the \ninterest of those it was established for. The political economy of \nNigeria needs to be restructured to cater for the generality of \nNigerians and not a privilege few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we commemorate 2019 International Youth Day, it is important for \nour leaders to rethink the conditions of the Nigerian youth. Countries \nthat invest in their youth experience peace and development. If \ndeliberate and concrete efforts are not made in Nigeria to harness her \nyouthful population, youth self-help and social instability is \ninevitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWritten by
\nRafiu Adeniran Lawal
\nExecutive Director
\nBuilding Blocks for Peace Foundation
\nIbadan, Oyo State.
\nlawalrafiu88@gmail.com<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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