IGBOERIKA FRANCIS

A nation which has invested in the youths has boosted its hope.

Just as success is measured against results not efforts, the progress of a nation is based on the quality of its youth. Unlike the general believe of an average Nigerian, youth has no age. It comes but once in a lifetime. It is the best time to be rich, and the best time to be poor. Luella F. Phean said, ‘Youth is not a time of life, it is a state of mind. You are as old as your doubt, your fear, and your despair. The way to keep your faith young is to keep your self-confidence young and keep your hope young.

THE BITTER TRUTH

Nigeria, regarded as the giant of Africa has lost its prestige and its dominance is threatened. Over the years, we have experienced dwindling progress economically, and in development. No advancement in the health sector, no improvement in education, no change in policies and politicians. We have recycled the same generation of leaders for years and raised hopes for a better tomorrow. Sustainability and dynamism are the predominant issues endangering the Nigerian specie.

Notwithstanding the level of disarray, or breach in a sustainable development plan and hope for a better tomorrow, the future of our country is in the hands of the youths of today. Realization of the nature and potential of youths in Nigeria will go a long way to eradicate all the menace leading us as a nation towards a downward slide.

The youth however have not realized this, majority of them still have no long term plan for themselves and are still lackadaisical about going about relevant activities which could result in self- development, which in turn will reflect on the general populace.

Other issues relating to the Nigerian youth are, dependency and lack of sense of responsibility. The youth tend to depend on the older generation for almost all their need. The common Nigerian culture expects the older generation guides the younger and yields more wisdom in all cases.

THE WAY OUT

Developed countries have shown that the youth yields qualities which include a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, and predominance of courage over timidity of appetite for adventure of the life of ease. It is time for the Nigerian youth to stand up to challenges and live up to expectations. The sense of responsibility should encourage the Nigerian youth. To participate in politics and actively contribute to the development of the county. The time has come for youths to see themselves as having to play major role to make Nigeria compete at the world stage with other developing nations thereby putting the country on the world map.

igboerika francis