The position of Youths in the socio-political life of Nigeria has been recognized by various Governments.In the words of Dr Tor Ujah, the former commissioner of Information and Social Development in Benue State, "the youths are the pillars and leaders of this Nation."
To groom the youths for their potential role as leaders of tomorrow various Governments have instituted programmes solely for their benefits.
In 1976, the military Government then introduced the Universal Primary Education aimed essentially at giving the youths the necessary Educational background to enable them the future.
The Civilian Administration in the second Republic followed in the same vein by introducing the Cumulatative and qualitative education. Like the Universal Primary Education, this programme was aimed at giving the youths the basic ingredients they require as potential leaders of tomorrow.
Besides Educational programmes,other programmes aimed at moulding the character of youths have been launched. These include the Ethical Movement ,War against indiscipline and the National Orientation Agency. These programmes are pointers to the importance Government attaches to youths as an integral part of the society.
The pertinent question is has the youths been reciprocal of the Government gesture? The answer is NO.
While Government recognises the importance of youths in the society, the youth themselves have failed over years to appreciate their worth as Newel of society. The youths have demonstrated a brazen attitude towards Government's programmes and projects.Rather than have faith in the leaders and a cultivated hope for the future, they have demonstrated a dogged sense of despair. This is clearly reflected in their lifestyles in their various schools and campuses. The youths would prefer to enjoy prematurely like the elders. They indulge in organising social events and travelling randomly instead of concentrating on their studies. But when expelled for one reason or the other, the blame is usually on Government. Look at the level of destruction of FIDEL polytechnic, Gboko.
We are blaming the failure of the PDP government in the past 16 years. The youths contributed significantly to the fall of PDP.
Due to their insouciant disposition, most were easily used as thugs and emetic of war by the opposition parties. The violent demonstration which erupted in Government secondary school, Gboko in 1983 at the heat of political campaigns remains indelible as to how disgruntled youths can be used. The immediate caused of the riot might be educational, but the level of its escalation remains political. And on our various campuses in the universities, the thoughts, attitudes, and actions of our youths leave one in doubt as leaders of tomorrow. They clearly demonstrate that they have no sense of history.
Nigeria is currently in a recession, and economic measures have been employed to contain it.Rather than understand that this is a natural phase in a state bent on developing, the youths prefer to blame the leaders.America, Russia, and Great Britain are now developed nations because their citizens at a particular time suffers, some even shed their blood for their dear country.
Nigeria is a country of emense potentials, but for true development to take place the citizens must be prepared to sacrifice some rights and privileges. Rather blame our leaders, the youths as Vanguards of the society should take on the mantle of educating the masses on government programs. The youths especially must realised that no government is out to punish its citizens deliberately.
To groom the youths for their potential role as leaders of tomorrow various Governments have instituted programmes solely for their benefits.
In 1976, the military Government then introduced the Universal Primary Education aimed essentially at giving the youths the necessary Educational background to enable them the future.
The Civilian Administration in the second Republic followed in the same vein by introducing the Cumulatative and qualitative education. Like the Universal Primary Education, this programme was aimed at giving the youths the basic ingredients they require as potential leaders of tomorrow.
Besides Educational programmes,other programmes aimed at moulding the character of youths have been launched. These include the Ethical Movement ,War against indiscipline and the National Orientation Agency. These programmes are pointers to the importance Government attaches to youths as an integral part of the society.
The pertinent question is has the youths been reciprocal of the Government gesture? The answer is NO.
While Government recognises the importance of youths in the society, the youth themselves have failed over years to appreciate their worth as Newel of society. The youths have demonstrated a brazen attitude towards Government's programmes and projects.Rather than have faith in the leaders and a cultivated hope for the future, they have demonstrated a dogged sense of despair. This is clearly reflected in their lifestyles in their various schools and campuses. The youths would prefer to enjoy prematurely like the elders. They indulge in organising social events and travelling randomly instead of concentrating on their studies. But when expelled for one reason or the other, the blame is usually on Government. Look at the level of destruction of FIDEL polytechnic, Gboko.
We are blaming the failure of the PDP government in the past 16 years. The youths contributed significantly to the fall of PDP.
Due to their insouciant disposition, most were easily used as thugs and emetic of war by the opposition parties. The violent demonstration which erupted in Government secondary school, Gboko in 1983 at the heat of political campaigns remains indelible as to how disgruntled youths can be used. The immediate caused of the riot might be educational, but the level of its escalation remains political. And on our various campuses in the universities, the thoughts, attitudes, and actions of our youths leave one in doubt as leaders of tomorrow. They clearly demonstrate that they have no sense of history.
Nigeria is currently in a recession, and economic measures have been employed to contain it.Rather than understand that this is a natural phase in a state bent on developing, the youths prefer to blame the leaders.America, Russia, and Great Britain are now developed nations because their citizens at a particular time suffers, some even shed their blood for their dear country.
Nigeria is a country of emense potentials, but for true development to take place the citizens must be prepared to sacrifice some rights and privileges. Rather blame our leaders, the youths as Vanguards of the society should take on the mantle of educating the masses on government programs. The youths especially must realised that no government is out to punish its citizens deliberately.
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