Nigerian youth and social concern

The recent turn of events in Nigeria has largely exposed the composition, interest and uniqueness of the Nigerian youths. While some of these activities spurred the exhibition of incredible instant creativity, others have revealed the high disinterest of the Nigerian youth populace in germane issues that are critical to their now and future.

On the account of the supposed hilarious disposition and responses of the Lagos NSCDC boss while on an interview on Channels Television, the Nigerian social media space has over the weeks witnessed the buzz of “my oga at the top”. Needless to highlight the chains of reactions being witnessed in the real world where video games, T-shirts, home movies, wristwatches are all out on the credit of “my oga at the top”. This stream of spontaneous creative reaction from the youths is quite impressive, at least for sparking a huge sense of humour and relaxation in the ever-heated Nigeria polity.

While the social media space was agog with this trend, there came the news of the presidential pardon granted to some Nigerians who, according to the recommendations of the National Council of State, deserve the pardon – a development which has continued to amaze every right-thinking Nigerian and lovers of Nigeria. However, the focus of this engagement is not to analyse the presidential pardon but to situate the Nigerian youth in all these unfolding events.

In high expectation, I looked out for a swift shift from the hilarious and unproductive trend of “my oga at the top” to productive engagement of the government, especially by the youths, on the presidential support on corruption, the rising rate of insecurity in the country, massive unemployment in the face of government job creation claims, dwindling economic fortune, amongst other crucial issues to the existence and survival of the Nigerian youth. But disappointingly, the Nigerian youths saw no reason in engaging the powers that be.

It is unfortunate that Nigerian youths have found a comfortable corner in the feel-good society such that they cannot think and act through on critical socio-economic affairs that directly or indirectly affect them both now and in the future. They prefer to run their mouth on Facebook, Twitter, 2go, BBM on frivolous and unproductive matters, rather than understand state policies, programmes and actions and engage the process even through the social media platform for nationalistic gains.

As a socially-conscious Nigerian youth, I have come to realise how much I have paid and perhaps am still paying for the mindless looting of public treasury by ex- and serving public officials, high-level of corruption which has resulted in socio-economic disaster, infrastructural deficit culminating in unnecessary loss of lives and property, lack of basic social amenities, denial of a good today and the hope of a hopeless tomorrow. This is the unfortunate reality of our

Nigerian society.

I often wonder why for so long Nigerian youths have not come to realise that the smallest of decisions made in Aso Rock or their immediate community will have a large impact on their pattern of existence and even that of generations to come; that we, the almost 70 percent of the nation’s population, are always the worst hit in the event of any unfavourable policy, yet we refuse to speak up when necessary; that the stolen public funds are meant to better our lives and those of our children; that the misappropriated money will impede our national development; that world over social transformations are driven by the youth, yet we are left out in planning and policies; and that we hold the solution to this country’s numerous challenges.

Realisation brings about clarity of thought and direction. Until the Nigerian youth realises that he bears the solution to the many challenges confronting this country, I am afraid we will continually revolve in this cycle of misdemeanour. A revolution of mind is key in changing our nation. You cannot change the world until you change yourself. Values are a missing ingredient in this dispensation. We need young people of virtue and values, morality and competence, vision and excellence.

Dear Nigerian youth, we cannot attain any national success except we get off the feel-good society and face the reality that our dear nation is sinking deeper, irredeemably, into an abyss in the hands of the men of today, and perhaps yesterday, who are presenting us with a future packed with hopelessness, emptiness, shame and disgrace. You and I have a significant role to play.

Be interested in social issues because they affect all and sundry. Engage policies, programmes and actions. Join productive movements and discussions online and offline. Appreciate, promote and possess values and virtues. Be a patriotic citizen with the hope that our collective progressive efforts will produce a new, greater and better NIGERIA.

TAYO ELEGBEDE

Elegbede is JET development journalist, Commonwealth correspondent and mediapreneur