The saying that youths are the future of tomorrow has become a popular saying in Nigeria’s socio-political parlance.
That saying which, ordinarily, is meant to lend credence to the place of youths in the social, political, and economic affairs of the country, seems to have become mere political usage that never comes to reality.
In this special report, correspondent, Daniel Ezeigwe, takes a look at the future of the Nigerian youth, sixty years after independence.
The Nigerian youth seem to be at the receiving end of so many leadership failings that have become customary year after year, hence, their yearly migration abroad, in search of greener pastures, that have been denied them in a country where the light continues to dim on their future.
President Muhammadu Buhari had assented the not too young to run bill on May 31st, 2018, ending the age-long discrepancies in the age eligibility for contesting for political offices and giving the youth chance to be a major participant in political processes . But some political critics still argue that it is not enough to bring down the age eligibility when the country’s political environment is perennially hijacked by old players, shutting out youths from the mainstream politics .
Discussing the issue, the Anambra State President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, observed that the political elites have contained to manipulate the future of the Nigerian youth, calling on youths to organize a peaceful revolution that seeks to stamp their voice and authority on national decisions.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, ACTDA, Venerable Amaechi Okwuosa noted that though youth-related problems are not peculiar to Nigeria, all tiers of government must make inclusive efforts to address the vast challenges faced by the Nigerian youth.
The Anambra State President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Comrade Samuel Egwuatu, expressed sadness at what he described as state of the Nigerian youth, given the shortchanged nature of youth engagement in national development.
On his part, the Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Awka Community, Comrade Obi-Ochije Modilim, who observed that the present political atmosphere in Nigeria favours the youth, urged those, who want to make impact at the national stage to first of all gain the confidence and endorsement of the people at the local level.
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