Foluke Sijuwola Falayi
I can’t remember seeing an unusual teeming population of youths, like I saw at Marriot Hotel Ikeja last weekend. They lined up to attend the International Education Fair of “Study Abroad Program”. They were thousands in numbers and it was obvious through their discussions that some of them were trying to run away from the country via one excuse or the other.
Many, having been rejected by some embassies while trying to ‘japa’ , would use any means or ways to get out of the country. The programme organised by the IEF at Marriot, Ikeja, Lagos, seems a perfect avenue to leave the country.
The youth is the hope, strength, greatness, and tomorrow of any great nation. It is so baffling that the Nigeria government is not satisfying the requirements of the youths.
Almost in all sectors of the economy, we have experts, working class persons, leaving the shores of Nigeria on a daily basis. I can attest to it that there are still countries in Africa where youths do not madly aspire to go abroad. This is because there’s nothing the youths of those nations are going to do in a foreign country, as everything is working and their atmosphere is encouraging enough. But inasmuch as some people are enduring to stay in our own country, you cannot blame anyone who seeks a greener pasture in other countries, instead of staying jobless and eating from hand to mouth.
Nigerian youths are brilliant, intelligent, industrious, hardworking and they often happen to be among the best professionals the world had ever produced. Why can’t Nigeria encourage them to stay and develop her country?
And what do the youths of Nigeria want most: the youths want a solid educational system without strike. The youths want to be empowered financially and this can be achieved when they are gainfully employed and there are more jobs.
The youths want a say and would be happy if they are part of the government. The youths want a nation where the security system is good. The youths want uninterrupted power supply, good housing system, good health system, good roads in metropolises, towns and villages among other things. These are not too difficult tasks, as God has blessed Nigeria.
It is high time the government did something, to appease and appeal to the youths by granting their requests of providing a conducive situation.
Remember, the youth is the hope and strength of this great nation.
