International Youth Day: Nigerian Youths must Speak up – Chibuike Echem

In 1965, the United Nations General Assembly began making a concerted effort to impact the youth. They endorsed the Declaration on the Promotion among Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect and Understanding between Peoples. They began devoting time and resources to empowering the youth by recognizing emerging leaders and providing them with resources to meet the world’s needs.

August 12, is a very important date in the global calendar. It is a day that the global community sets aside to celebrate the International Youth Day. The important purpose of this annual celebration going by information from the United Nation is to, among other things, raise voices against any injustice or discrimination happening in the world with the youth. Again, going by available records, International Youth Day was recognised by the UN when they passed a resolution towards creating it in 1999 at the UN General Assembly.

Essentially, there was a need for this day because a very large amount of youth in the world are struggling with issues related to physical or mental health, education and employment and these issues need to be addressed. When the government or society does not focus on the proper development of the youth, they tend to become rebellious and opt for choices which are neither good for their development nor for their country.

As the global community uses workshops, concerts, conferences, cultural events, seminars and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organisations to celebrate the day, while recognising the contributions of young people and volunteers who are working towards the betterment of society and are raising important issues that need more attention of the society, there are painful signs that the situation in Nigeria shows that instead of celebrating, the average Nigerian youth is currently in a state of frustration.

In Nigeria the frustration of these young victims was not only fuelled by the gap between the promises made in the past by the government without fulfilment but predicated on the ills that flow from bad leadership, which daily manifests in the ‘tradition’ of leading without recourse to transparency and accountability. And as a consequence, ‘stifles development, siphons all scarce resources that could improve infrastructure, bolster education systems and strengthen public health and stack the deck against the masses.

Youth unemployment is potentially dangerous as it sends a signal to all segments of Nigerian society. Here in Nigeria, the rate of youth unemployment is high, even during the period of economic normalcy and this remains the real cause of insecurity in Nigeria.

From the above, it is obvious that ‘we are in a dire state of strait because unemployment has diverse implications. Security-wise, the large unemployed youth population is a threat to the security of the few that are employed. Any transformation agenda that does not have job creation at the centre of its programme will take us nowhere.

From unemployment challenges to the poor education sector, it is accurately documented that many Nigerian children are out of school not because they are not willing to be educated but because the cost of education is beyond the reach of their parents. The public schools are short of teachers with dilapidated buildings. Private schools on the other hand where the environment is conducive to learning is cost-intensive and out of reach of so many students and their parents.

In like manner, the Academic Staff Union Of Universities has been on strike since February 14, 2022. The group embarked on such industrial action to protest the government’s inability to implement their demands on salaries and allowances of lecturers, and improved funding for universities. The implication is that for the past six months and counting, these youths have been idling away at home and the Federal Government has not considered the damage such failures impose on this future strength of the nation that their generation will provide the next leaders.

looking at the above painful situations, and considering the fact that Nigeria races to the 2023 general election, the question(s) may be asked: How far can the youth go in a nation where tribal loyalty is stronger than our common sense of nationhood? Can the youth effectively guard their courage? How far can the youths go as change agents in a country, where excruciating poverty and starvation continue to drive more people into the ranks of beggars, whose desperate struggle for bread renders them insensible to all feelings of decency and self-respect?

While the answer(s) to these questions is being awaited, the truth must be told to the effect that to make this year’s world youth day rewarding as well as change this trend, and achieve the objective of engaging youth in formal political mechanisms, increase the fairness of political processes by reducing democratic deficits, contributes to better and more sustainable policies, which have symbolic importance that can further contribute to restoring trust in public institutions, especially among youth, there are inescapable actions that the youths must take, there are steps/action plans that Nigerian youths must execute.

Separate from constructively and sustainably engaging the Federal Government, It will not in any way be described as out of place if the youths harness their population advantage and their demographic dividends to form a formidable opposition that holds the government accountable or better still seek political offices come 2023 general election.

It is important that Nigerian youths continue to speak up against violations of human rights, suppression of free speech and freedom of the press. Youths must not initiate, encourage or spread false, mischievous or divisive information capable, or with outright intent, of misleading the populace and disrupting societal harmony and peace. Within the ambience of the law, they must speak up with facts against any wrongdoing or oppression by the government or fellow citizens capable of endangering sustainable democracy and the effective delivery of good governance.

On December 17, 1999, the UN General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, and International Youth Day was born. It was first celebrated on August 12, 2000, and ever since the day has been used to educate society. Mobilize the youth in politics and manage resources to address global problems.

This year’s celebration is centered on the theme “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages.”

In line with the annual celebration of International Youth Day, I wish to celebrates with Nigerian youths inspiring Students expresses our heartfelt greetings.