INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
13th August, 2024
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To start with, the 12th day of August of every year is said aside as International Youth Day by the United Nations in order to discuss their plights and way forward.
In my observation, Nigeria is sitting on a "Keg of gunpowder" in view of its large population of youth who in my thought have a "bleak future" due to the fact that they are not being prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. The necessary knowledge and skills which our youth needs to survive in the 21st century and beyond are not being provided . One needs ICT knowledge and skills to survive in the 21st century and beyond.
It baffles me to note that at a time when our youth needs the 21st century knowledge and skills; such as: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain technology, Cloud Computing technology, Cybersecurity skills, Data Science technology, Internet of Things (IoT) technology, Quantum Computing technology, Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technology, and Web Development technology etc., for their future survival and development. It is sad to note that most of our politicians are hypocritically talking about youth leadership as if it is what we really need. In my thought, what our youth needs are knowledge and skills for the 21st century and beyond.
Nigeria by its history has always been governed by the relatively young people. If there are categories of ages to blame for its leadership failure then the relatively young people should take the lion share. I am a believer of the combination of both the young and the old in leadership position, but not on the basis of one's age per se, but on the basis of one's patriotism, vision, commitment, capacity, competence, and integrity etc. The society will surely benefit from the youthful exuberance of a competent young leader just as it will benefit from the experience and maturity of a competent experienced leader.
A young leader needs the "experience" and the "maturity" of an "aged" leader while an "aged" leader needs the youthful "exuberance "of a young leader . The mixture of the two classes is the best way to go. It will enable the "old" to "mentor" and "tutor "the youth while the youthful energy of the youth will add value to governance . It is a fact that with the exception of Presidents Obasanjo and Buhari in their second comings as leaders and President Tinubu all our presidents past held the leadership position of our dear country at an age below 60 years.
Sir Abubakar T. Balewa became Prime minister at the age of 49 (1912-1957); Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ceremonial President at 51(1904-1963); Gen. Ironsi at 42(1924-1966); Gen. Gawon at 32 (1934-1966); Gen. Murtala at 37(1938-1975); Gen. Obasanjo at 38 (1937-1976); President Shagari at 54 (1925-1979); Gen. Buhari at 41(1942-1983); Gen. Babangida at 44 (1941-1985); Chief Ernest Shonekan at 55 (1936-1993); Gen. Abacha at 49 (1943-1994); Gen. Abubakar at 56 (1942-1998); President Obasanjo at 62 (1937-1999); President Yar'adua at 56 (1951-2007); President Jonathan at 53 (1957-2010); President Buhari at 73 (1942-2015) and President Tinubu at 71 (1952-2023).
In my view , the quest for credible leadership should go beyond just one's age alone , but it should be about one's capacity, competence, patriotism, integrity, vision and commitment nation building. It is apt to state that unless something urgent is done the future of our dear country is hanging in the "balance". If truth be told one will nothing, but say that our youth population which is the largest in the country when compare with the aging population are abandoned . The bulk of our over two- hundred million population are youth which little or attention is being given to them.
However, it is appropriate to state that there is no universally accepted definition of "youth". The United Nations defines youth as persons between the ages of 15 to 24. The African Youth Charter on its part, defines youth as persons between the ages 15 to 35. In most of the sub-Saharan Africa, the term "youth" is associated with young men from 15 to 30 or from 15 to 35 years of age.
In Nigerian context the nearest definition of youth is perhaps the National Youth Service Corps' definition. The Corps considers only 30 years and below for mobilization to National youth Service. This by implication is the definition of youth in Nigeria.
In my thought, for us to get its right we must as a family, community , and governments at all levels give extra care to our youth population. We should and or must prepare our youth for the challenges of 21st century and beyond.
May God bless Nigeria!