AN OPEN LETTER TO NIGERIAN YOUTHS
Most Nigerian Youths haven’t discovered their place in their country. Running after politicians, chanting and going on errands are not an assured future for yourself and our country. Just as Hayakawa will always say, “It is the individual who knows how little they know about themselves who stands the most reasonable chance of finding out something about themselves before they die.”
Many youths have sacrificed their lives so cheap for those who feel the youths can be used to achieve their purpose by giving little token. We’ve been used and we’ve been dumped; now they’re calling us all again in different auspicious groups ahead of 2019 Elections. I want every youth reading this to understand our stand come 2019 Elections. Have you ever asked yourself questions like: Where are the youths in Nigeria government? What happened to those we risked our lives under harsh weather conditions just to see they emerge? Have they fulfilled their promises? Do they still acknowledge our efforts and contribution? These questions will get you thinking about what most leaders feel about you. They only run back to us when they need us to join their rally, engage in electoral malpractice and other social vices just for their ambition to be successful.
Do you know that the youths constitute over 30% of Nigeria’s total population? Why then are we marginalised? It is because most of us haven’t discovered our place in the economy. Several governments have come and passed and none has thought it wise to set aside a day in Nigeria where youths will be celebrated. I engaged several youths in conversation on 12th August, 2018 during the International Youths Day. I discovered that most of us never knew about such. This is because only few governments (local, state and federal) acknowledged this day and celebrated it. I started asking myself what’s the essence of the minister/ commisioner for youths and sports? Is he/she only interested in sports and not youths? The answer I got was “When a 60 years old man is made to head youths what do you expect”? This same thing runs even in our Churches. Most youth presidents and youth pastors in our churches today are men. Do they feel the youths are not capable? It is because we don’t know our place. Do you know that less than 20% of youths participate in electoral process? I also engaged some youths in conversation and I realised that many of us are not ready to even vote next year. We have our permanent voter cards but they just are to many of us. Most youths have the mentality that “our votes won’t count” and I replied “It is the good people that elect the bad leaders by not voting”. When we don’t vote, we give room for bad governance in our country. Obiora Okeke, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State