“Africa will only remain when it realizes that the future remains with the youths.”—Oby Ezekwesili

Throughout our near-50 years as a free country, all indications that Youth play a part in sustaining and safeguarding the fundamental foundations of our democratic experiment have been validated time and time again. And there’s little doubt that the concern for the future of young people is of top priority with elected officials.

In fact, if anything, history shows that the federal government has, at least, attempted to address the needs of Youth with considerably efficacy. Evidence abounds in the creation of the National Youth Policy in 1983 and its rebirth in 2001 which, amongst other things, acknowledged past governmental shortcomings and promised policies that would “[recognize] the societal problems … associated with unemployment and under-employment” confronting Nigeria’s Youth. Part of its objective, then-President Obasanjo declared, would be to “create conditions and opportunities for creativity.” It was critical that these polices be enacted promptly because “a nation can only afford to neglect the growth and development of its youth at its own peril.” 

So, why the glaring statistics suggesting a different narrative?

For instance, a society that values its youth would be more concerned if 40 million of them, between the ages of 18 and 30, were unemployed.

Full Article: http://saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4163:does-nigeria-value-its-youth&catid=81:external-contrib&Itemid=300