ALL DRESSED UP AND NOWHERE TO GO by Ugo Uyana

This piece was inspired by the agony of the Nigerian youth and their cry for justice has been echoing in my heart. Figuratively speaking been dressed up here implies the net worth(intellectual prowess cum brain and brawn) of the Nigerian youth while no where to go speaks of the mirage called ‘the Nigerian dream’.

Nigeria is the most populous black nation on earth , the largest in Africa. Africa has the youngest population in world with Nigeria amounting to a greater percentage of the pie. Its amazing to know that the population of Nigeria(approximately 170million people) is larger than the whole population of the West Africa sub region put together. 70% of the population are youths.
Nigerians are the most decorated and scholarly in Africa and have made their mark in different facets of life yet there is no impact  in our society  in terms of economic development or value system. Ironically Nigerians amount to the highest number of foreign students in secondary/high schools and Universities both in Benin Republic and Republic of Ghana just to mention the ones am sure of. Paying over two million dollars annually in tuition fees minus other sundry needs. We have down played the value and capability of the Nigerian youth for too long.
Our youths don’t need much,all they want/need is for their abilities, talents and intellectual prowess to be harnessed and for the government  to create a conducive atmosphere for them to fulfil their potentials.  The youths are dynamic, savvy, innovative, service oriented and of course super talented. In the world innovation efficiency index, Nigeria was ranked number 2 in the world basically because we are a people that do more (and even the extraordinary) with little or nothing.
I have heard some analysis on the Nigeria youth that we are a tripartite (ie we are unemployed, we are under employed and we are unemployable) for me saying we are unemployable is arguable. Yearly NYSC(National Youth Service Corp) churns out over one hundred thousand graduates in it’s Batch A, B and C orientation and service programme,yet only about 20% of them will eventually get a job placement in the ever competitive and shrinking labour market in Nigeria. The excitement of their graduation gradually wears off their hearts when reality begins to stare at them in the face. calls have emanated from several quarters that after 38years of its creation the NYSC  scheme has out lived its relevance and should be revamped,citing reasons like the scheme putting youths in harms way thereby making them vulnerable to untimely death, maiming and exploitative work schedules during their service year.
Even the War Against Poverty Initiative(WAPI) derived from the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) which is centred in eradicating poverty has not been integrated into the program.  Corp members who undergo the skill acquisition training and who at the end of the year decide to start up their business, are supposed to be given interest free loan but due to corruption Only a few NYSC members have benefited. Government at various levels have emphasised on job creation and poverty alleviation which have become  slogans used by politicians over the years to con the electorate to win elections. Rather than create jobs more Nigerians have either lost their jobs or been under payed due to the mismanagement of our resources by leaders both in the public and private sectors. From the looting spree of the political class to the frivolous rendezvous of the failed bank chiefs.
Right before our very eyes in last 13years of democracy various industries have folded up due to economic downturn. Even the new ones said to be created (using Lagos as a typical example )have been what I term ‘predatoral jobs’ duplication of duties to exploit the over burdened masses: from LASTMA, VIO, KAI and various council task force officials. This has been an avenue to rip off people. Rather than correct and do their oversight functions,they extort, harass, victimise people and enrich their pockets . Instead of life creating a conducive environment by building infrastructures and allowing equal opportunities the drama continues through over taxing the populace and yet there is nothing much to show for it.
I could go on but the crux of the matter is that the brain and the brawn of the Nigerian youth have been undermined and underutilised. We are tired of the recycling of leaders who over the years failed in their obligations to harness the strength of the youth. We are not asking for so much than these; create a conducive atmosphere which translates to templates for inspirational leadership and a society where the potentials  of our youths can be harnessed to add value economically .

By: Ugo Uyanna (ugo4krist@yahoo.com)

#CONSENSUS 2015