Role of youth in nation building/development: The saying goes that “youths are not only leaders of tomorrow, but partners of today” Maybe its time to start planting in them for tomorrow’s harvest. During this past US election, The Republicans underestimated the role of youth in politics, something the Democrats used to their advantage. The government and society at large have equal responsibility to provide the youth with an environment that is conducive to bringing about a mature and responsible youth population for the coming generation to lead a better life. As nation builders, let us focus on brain drain of the thousands of graduates leaving the country for greener pastures. This issue of migration has a negative impact on our nation. Nations are build out of human intellect, migration of our many graduates has a serious implication on us. This means that a nation cannot be built without the recognition and the collective efforts of such graduates. Particularly, my suggestions: - be serious with your academic studies to be a better person tomorrow - stop praising people with no genuine source of income - do not encourage examination malpractices and cheating, expose perpetrators. - ensure you register and vote in the 2011 Elections and collaborate and mobilize other youths to vote - use social media (Facebook, Twitter and other forums) and technology to encourage other youths to engage in the election process. Barriers/Problems faced by the youths: - High youth unemployment - Lack of youth support by the government in the community - Lack of fund to help the youths for school fees and social life How to overcome the numerous problems in Nigeria: - the youths must not sell their voting right for a bowl of soup or monetary gain - the youths must not allow themselves to be used as thugs - explore entrepreneurship as a way to develop yourself - avoid secret societies and cultism in the university and our community - protect your vote using simple technology at local polling station e.g. mobile phone and digital camera - use social media to expose corrupt politicians with photo evidence - engage in local and peaceful vigilant youth groups to help the election process e.g. election monitoring and evidence gathering locally Fact: The present Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron just turned 40, while Ed Milliband, the leader of the British opposition is about the same age. Nigerians youths should therefore sit up and speak up. Prof. Wole Soyinka is ageing; Gani Fawehinmi is late; and Femi Falana, Bamidele Aturu, Festus Keyamo, Olisa Agbakoba and a few others, need more youths to join them in leading Nigeria to the path of true nationalism, honour and development. It is a shame that Ghana has left Nigeria behind while Nigerian youths are indulging themselves in campus cult and cultism, examination malpractices and prostitution rather than indulging in deep reflections and correct political praxis and positive student union activism. The Nigerian student union, which ought to be a strong and active voice in the fight against corruption, has become comatose and complacent. Where are the likes of the past student union movements of late Banji Adegboro, Segun Okeowo, Chris Abashi, Labaran Maku and Arogundade? Where lies the bite of the present crop of Nigerian student leaders in particular and the youths in general? Where lies their sting? It is an unfortunate development! Very, very unfortunate. At this critical point in our nation’s history, where blinding corruption, decadence and impunity are the order of the day, the student union is in a state of coma and moribund. I cannot really comprehend it! Try and grab this stage in our history to express yourselves without fear or favour otherwise, yours too will be a wasted generation. Nigeria needs an active and a vibrant youth movement now than ever before. The future will not forgive them if they keep shying away from this utmost responsibility. A key challenge, therefore, is the way we manage our affairs. The question for Nigerian youth is how to realize the principles outlined in the constitutions and thereby promote a stable multi-ethnic nation. Ehiedu Iweriebor (1990) identified six criteria for measuring the progress of the nation building process. These are: leadership, transportation and communication networks, economic development, national education, pedagogical nationalism, and civil society. Though his study outlines the successes and failures of the various Nigerian governments, it fails to explain why a particular type of government might fail or succeed in promoting nation building. As stated in Article 14 of the 1979 Constitution: “The composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such manner as to reflect the Federal Character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or a few ethnic or other sectional groups in the government or in any of its agencies.” Furthermore, “the composition of the government of a state, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognize the diversity of the peoples within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the peoples of the federation.” A democratic approach is the best path to nation building in a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria. As we have seen in the Nigerian experience with nation building, it is difficult to pursue a non-democratic means of reform without aggravating internal unrest and international censure. Sadly, the lack of a democratic mandate, poor institutional design, and bad leadership has all made it nearly impossible for successive Nigerian governments to pursue a democratic approach. Many Nigerians are not satisfied with the 1999 Constitution because it failed to address the structural imbalance of the federation (Abu Bakarr, 2004). Even of more concern is the lack of accountability, the massive corruption scandals of successive governments, the poor state of the economy, and the fraud that characterized both the 2003 and 2007 elections. “If we continue to have these same levels of corruption and the economy is mismanaged, then the sustainability of democracy will be reduced. The country’s survival will be endangered.” (Suberu, 1999) Even though the emerging domestic and international political environment has minimized the possibility of a return to military rule, there is a real danger of democratic decay in Nigeria. As we have seen over the past decades, democratic decay is a recipe for chaos and military intervention. All in all, I will posit, successful nation building is no mean task. The problem with our pseudo-leaders is that they have never taken nation-building, management of resources and people, leadership, seriously. In fact they do not know what it means to be leaders. They are essentially ignorant though educated (even this is questionable) Nation-building and the associated developmental issues require men and women of deep vision; sincerity of purpose; selflessness; genuine love for their country and their people; hardworking; of conscience, integrity, credibility, trustworthiness, honesty, reliable and able; people who do not think of stealing or embezzling; people who do not misuse the authority and power conferred on them, by God or Man; people who do not think that getting to positions of authority is a “do-or-die” affair; people who understand the meaning of nation building, leadership, good governance, rule of law, political emancipation, equality, human and civic rights, civility, freedom of speech, rule of law, diversity and religious tolerance,; people who will shun and will not tolerate tribalism, corruption and nepotism. These are the people who can build nations. To my people, how are we building this nation? It is time for all Nigerians to collectively do their part in being nation builders and stop being nation destroyers.
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 09:20:36 +0000
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