THE YOUTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA By: Purity Edegbe

Show me a country that is well developed, exuding and amassing so much wealth and I will point out the secret in case you have not already seen it. The secret is and always will be building the soldiers of the nation – The youths.

The potential in every youth is endless but the truth is, if it is not well developed, it may never be seen talk less help in the development of any nation. Sadly, this is the case of most nations in the world.
Nigeria, with a teeming population of over 140 million and a very high percentage of this population comprising of the youths, is blessed indeed as the youths represent the strength and valour of a nation. But where are we getting it wrong? The youths are not given the attention they need in order to discover themselves and build our beloved nation.
Youths are youthful to be useful. Useful to themselves, to their families, to the nation and even to the world at large. A critical look should be given to developed nations around us and a leaf borrowed from them regarding the resources expended in building the youths.These countries have discovered the secret. Building the youths once, leads to developing the country thrice. It’s like giving one thing and getting three things in return.
The fact is, majority of the youths in Nigeria are in dire need of assistance in discovering and even launching out as many of them have discovered their potentials and have a lot of creative and innovative ideas in solving the problems of the country but have no support whatsoever in bringing it to the table and subsequently developing the nation.
A typical example showing the great strength of the youths and how useful it can be, is the case of the ‘Endsars protest.’
It came as a shock to majority that the youths could possess such orderliness and unity in coming together in one voice to fight against one common evil for the good of all. Although it led to the destruction of some facilities due to the hijacking of the situation by some miscreants as it was supposed to be a peaceful protest, a minute should be taken to think over it. Imagine if such unity amongst youths is developed as well as their capabilities, Nigeria would certainly be unstoppable in the move towards being one of the most developed countries in the world.
They are youths who are already bringing Nigeria to the limelight in ways we probably never thought. In the Entertainment Industry, comprising of music, film, football, and even in the educational sector and various other sectors.
David Adeleke, a music icon popularly known especially amongst the youths as ‘Davido’ recently boosted Nigeria’s image in no small measure internationally by featuring in the sequel of an award winning movie overseas titled ‘Coming to America’ and there is Mikel Obi, an award winning Nigerian footballer and recently, a very young girl who excelled in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) by the name Victory Yinka Banjo and many others too numerous to mention.
By now, it has become crystal clear that the potential in the average Nigerian youth is limitless and is capable of taking Nigeria to the sky within a twinkle of an eye. This is why youth empowerment should be given the attention it needs.
It is high time we stopped focusing on the problems of Nigeria and focused on the solution – harnessing the potentials of our youths. Not neglecting them, not despising them or labelling them as not useful or outrightly rebellious or recalcitrant, but inspiring and motivating them because then, and only then, can they be veritable tools in the developing of our beloved country, Nigeria.

About the author:
Purity Edegbe is a science student in SS 3 at St.Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School Benin City who has the flair for writing and has written several poems and authored three books, one under publication.
Email:purityedegbe463@gmail.com