It quite funny that the youths of nowadays seems to mostly
into causing trouble for the people and government to work on when there seems
to be nothing to do or supporting the creation of one. I was privileged enough
to see an instagram video of about 4 years old who was asked of his future
ambition and claimed to have interest in cybercrime. I then start to reason why
such a little boy would ever imagine such absurd thing; I couldn’t picture what
such a child knows about cybercrimes.
The only thing am sure of is that family and friends support mostly
those who are able to finance the family without minding the source of income.
This does not end with family and friends alone, even the society is also
responsible.
As much as I love reading posts written by the men in power,
I despise it when it condemning the youths. Regardless of what is presently in
place right now, the youths are never to be blamed for most actions they
portray ranging from loss of norms and value to the unimaginable acts they
exhibit.
During Sociology of development class, the lecturer was
trying to make us believe that we Africans are not ready to develop. I turned
against it, by standing on the fact that even before colonalization we had our
own inventions such as street lights, lamps and so on which we might have
transformed in this present day to something a bit more sophisticated. But his
reply rendered me speechless, although we had the potential to dominate but as
a result of fear of the unknown we kept these invention tricks a secret from
others to assist in it development and failed in various means. Even till now,
some parents deprive their kids of their full potential with the aim of
protecting them. These are talents that could have being of great use to the
nation, this is a big part of our culture we need to jettison. A great scholar
once told me that having something and not sharing it, is the same as having
nothing.
When I was younger, I was told education is the key to
success, after I see people graduate I then wonder where the padlocks are kept.
The society use to be one where gurus are respected, where they become
recognized for their potential. But it no longer the same, what we now hear
parents do is to compare their kids with celebrities and moneybags. Although it
a good thing to make money but at the detriment of our life, reputation and
belief should never being seen as an option. Parents don’t care about their
wards like they should do. Once a kid graduates from school, they frustrate his
life so he can then fend for himself not minding how. I understand their pains,
but the question is, how long did it took the parents to organize themselves
after graduation that they frustrate kids months after leaving school? They
understand how difficult it is to get things done but they don’t care. No one
reaps just immediately after sowing.
The funniest of them all is the religious institutions. I
think the number of churches to be up to 1 to every 8 houses. Religion
buildings are now like recharge card sellers, which outnumbers the available
employment ventures. I once imagined all religious buildings giving out
employment, it will cater for at least 1/3 of the country unemployed citizens.
Everyone now believes much more in their Imam and pastors than God and hard
work. These institutions are mostly designed to exploit the desperate masses
and will never let the innocent rest while clamoring for spiritual deliverance
when the initiators need physical care.
The institution seems to have to watching idle over the years
while the new generation is being abused. I read of a pastor who claimed a 7
year old boy is responsible for the calamity befalling his parent; he was
droved out of the house and later died. This is because a selfish man wanted to
prey on the ignorance of some lost people.
This institution has not only deceived the old generation and also taken
advantage of the new one by making them believe solely on divine intervention
which strengthens the belief in dark magic. Failure has nothing to do with
spirituality, it just principles. I think the witches and wizard are quite busy
with recession so get over it.
It no longer news that people goes missing like pin. I then
wonder where the victims’ family members are. It a pity that our generation
seem to lack every form of support leaving a few with people to support them
financially. Thousands of parents have no idea of where their ward lives in
school and would later complain about poor grades and bad company. It a pity
that despite how busy they get, projects they execute it never enough. The
truth is that it will never be enough.
Our funny beliefs have also deepened the wound in our heart.
When malpractices occur, parents might stay mute but kids don’t. It a proof
that they believe in justice but African parents will do everything to keep them
mute also, since it not affecting them. This attitude will be nurtured and will
make them never to speak out when people do wrong. A good example is governance
in Nigeria, when money is being looted; no one speaks most especially if it not
affecting their family and business and when it backfires we all blame the new
administration.
The system is designed for the survival of the fittest;
sachet water is being deliberated on presently on increasing the cost from
10NGN to about 20 or 50 NGN. No one cares until it becomes unbearable for us
all. At least we don’t import that thanks to nature but we still have to kill
for it.
The economy and politics is now painted in corruption and
exploitation. No one cares as far as you are okay. It might not affect us now
not until those who don’t have start to steal from the little we have. Bribery
now seems to have being incorporated into the constitution that even the police
now see it as their right and are willing to kill for it. It is needed for
appointment, and even purchasing of goods you are paying for, I then wonder why
this generation seems to be confused.
The worst part is government agitating for entrepreneurship
skills among youths, the question is who will buy these things? We all have
high taste for foreign goods that locally made goods are not encouraged. Even
when am ready who will sponsor me without wanting bribe? No one is willing to
support the ones with the potential to make it big in the arena. Nigeria made
her first car during President Jonathan’s regime but no one seems to hear about
it now even the government does not patronize them.
Despite all this someone would claim to have being in my
shoes! It will take that as a capital NO. Nigeria seems to have remained the
same geographically but not socially or economically. Life as a youth in this
country, is highly tough. Being one makes one automatically a victim of
violence, abuse, ritual killings also instruments of death by a generation who
seems to know the right path but never willing to follow. We need to change our
orientation, even if the present generation has no clue which does better.
Nigeria can be greater which your support.
Author: Adenikan Solomon
