‘Do
all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all
the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as
long as ever you can.’ JOHN WESLEY’S RULE
Introduction
Life with the youth is never dull or boring. They are a
wonderful gift to humanity and a great force to reckon with as future leaders.
They occupy a prominent place in any society. Youth are the foundation of a
society. In fact, God has chosen them
from all eternity to be an indispensable part of his divine plan. They are great agents of transformation which God uses
to transfigure His world. It is God’s plan that your life will be honorable,
full of good things, favors and blessings. So if it fails or succeed
depends on the choices and decisions you make. Deviation from God’s will
through pride, criminality, lawlessness, recklessness, carelessness, violence,
gangsterism, greed, and unforgiveness are destructive pitfalls that can make
life hellish. However one sees
it, the increasing occurrence of acts of
violence and lawlessness, including things like hostage-taking of prominent
citizens and innocent expatriate oil workers, as well as oil bunkering, arms
insurgence, and cultism among the youth portends real and grave danger to our
country. It is therefore important for us to be watchful, careful and wise
(WCW). Indeed our young
people want a century with a great sign of hope and simple justice for all.
Therefore, there is an urgent need today in this year of faith, for a mutual
recognition and joint action in the task of empowering our young people by
cultivating in them positive frame of mind, and good godly values for the
interest of tomorrow.
Who are the youth?
The Youth are a group of energetic, vibrant, active and
dynamic people. They constitute the productive labor force and are the back-bone,
bedrock and life-wire of any society. Youth means freshness and
vitality, it signifies growth and maturity, readiness to face trail and
struggle, a time of adventure and risk taking, a time of search and discovery
of self. They play a significant role in nation building, and so need to
cultivate a positive frame of mind and good leadership qualities for the
interest of the future. In the past and even today, the youth are coming under
increasing pressures and are faced with crisis
of identity, disempowerment, and indiscipline. They have been used by
disgruntled and unscrupulous people as instruments of violence, terrorism and
destruction. This growing epidemic of youth violence extends beyond our cities
into virtually every community. Not only are there more youth killers and
destroyers, but more youth and children are getting killed. We observe with
great concern that youth under the age bracket of 18 – 40 now account to fifty
percent of violence in Nigeria. Yet, a recent random survey I conducted
revealed that practically all Nigerian Youth express the desire for a stable
and secure future; for wealth and prestige and also to obtain position of
leadership, and have a chance to influence the policy of their government. This
I think is the time for social engagement of the youth in creative and
profitable ventures to enable the
recovery of lost dreams and aspirations, and also help them explore the
untapped areas of their lives.
Youth Restiveness and Crime
This has become an issue of serious concern and
challenge to all Nigerians and even the multinational companies. Youth
restiveness has become a problem that has taken its toll in the social,
economic and political development of Nigeria. There
has been an increase in the occurrence of acts of violence and lawlessness,
kidnapping and abduction. Various forms of youth restiveness that are
economically, politically, or religiously motivated have existed for a long
time. Our country is unfortunately weighed
down by ethnic bigotry, religious fanaticism, endemic corruption, political
banditry, poverty, ignorance and disease. The recent unrest, insecurity,
flashes of threats and violence around the country experienced and brought
about by inter/intra political party conflicts, socio-economic agitations,
ethno-religious crisis, organized rebellion and outright criminality is
repugnant, shameful and disturbing. Media coverage of rising crime rates among
young people often highlights such issues as street crimes- vandalism, school truancy, drug abuse, theft,
burglary, assault and rape, gangsterism and armed robbery. In fact, robberies
are committed by young people in order to finance drug habits and live
luxurious and flamboyant life styles. They are also involved in organized
crimes embracing smuggling, illegal gambling, drug trafficking,
prostitution and large scale theft. Nigeria has witness a growing incidence of
fundamentalist and ethnic violence involving educated youth since the beginning
of the 1980s. This aggressive behavioral pattern and attitude are a mirror of
what they experience in their real environment – frustration, hostility,
homelessness, unemployment and problematic circumstances.
Some
possible causes of Youth restiveness
The probable causes and sources of youth restiveness ranges
from parental neglect, the breakdown of family has left many children without
guidance and support, while others are influenced by the rash violent images in
music, films and television, bad governance, unemployment, poverty, inequality,
injustice, quest for materialism and selfishness, inadequate educational opportunities
and resources, love of money and corruption. It is sad to note that while the
living standard of our people is deteriorating rapidly, corruption is
flourishing. We must refrain from cruelty, oppression and corruption, and stand
up for truth, human dignity, freedom, justice and peace in our society. The
youth must reject the life of slavery, violence and destruction and the culture
of hatred, persecution, discrimination and marginalization. I want to believe
that the Boko Haram insurgency in the North, activities of area boys in the
South-West, MASSOB in the East, Militant groups in the Niger Delta area are all
rooted in the failure of government to deliver basic services, reduce poverty
and create employment.
Self-Actualization
Self actualization is all about empowerment. It is a constant process of becoming, discovering, learning, growing maturing, advancing and developing the youth potentials, talents and capabilities for national development. It is the discovery of one’s purpose, gift, and talent and the commitment to give them in service to humankind. Our self-estimation for self-actualization comes from our awareness of our value to our world and the significant contribution we make to life. I agree with Dr. Myles Munroe, who in his book ‘The Spirit of Leadership, Cultivating the Attitudes that Influence Human Action’ said: ‘Every human being came to this planet with a seed of greatness buried in a gift needed by the world’.[1] Our youth need to be empowered by all stakeholders through economic reforms and policies. There should be creation and training schemes for youth empowerment. Parents, teachers, religious leaders and the government have the awesome task of raising, molding and shaping the children and youth under their guidance. If they choose not to, someone or something else will. There is need to understand deeply the major cultural forces and modern trends that shape the character, values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of our youth.
Self actualization is all about empowerment. It is a constant process of becoming, discovering, learning, growing maturing, advancing and developing the youth potentials, talents and capabilities for national development. It is the discovery of one’s purpose, gift, and talent and the commitment to give them in service to humankind. Our self-estimation for self-actualization comes from our awareness of our value to our world and the significant contribution we make to life. I agree with Dr. Myles Munroe, who in his book ‘The Spirit of Leadership, Cultivating the Attitudes that Influence Human Action’ said: ‘Every human being came to this planet with a seed of greatness buried in a gift needed by the world’.[1] Our youth need to be empowered by all stakeholders through economic reforms and policies. There should be creation and training schemes for youth empowerment. Parents, teachers, religious leaders and the government have the awesome task of raising, molding and shaping the children and youth under their guidance. If they choose not to, someone or something else will. There is need to understand deeply the major cultural forces and modern trends that shape the character, values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of our youth.
Conclusion
Parenting, tutoring, mentoring is
hard work and involves many struggles. There is no doubt that our children and
youth are filled with high dreams, hopes, aspirations for the future.
But they are facing a new set of choices, questions, expectations,
pressures, fears, challenges and problems, in our society which has become
more complex, more challenging, and more competitive than ever before.
Therefore, understanding today’s youth culture can help us address their issues
with intelligence and relevance. Protecting and securing the life of the youth
for a better and brighter future is an absolute necessity. Therefore, there is the urgent need for all
stakeholders to support parents in their struggle to deal with drug and alcohol
abuse, teen sex, violence, internet dangers, self-abuse, and all other complex
issues our youth face each and every day. In the quest to discover and accept
who they are, the modern youth are looking for answers to significant life’s
questions, amidst the conflicting voices, which Parents and teachers must offer
with understanding and humility. The government should encourage the youth to
use their talents to develop business innovation rather than engage in
restiveness, militancy, rebellion and insurgency.
Rev.
Fr. Michael Adefemi Adegbola, Director, Media Service Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria
2013.
[1] Myles Munroe, The Spirit of Leadership, Cultivating
the Attitudes that Influence Human Action, WHITAKER HOUSE, USA, 2005, p.99.
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