How the Nigerian Government Can Promote Youth Development According to the Nigeria National youth policy of 2001, a youth is defined as any young person between 18 and 35 years of age. Statistically, youths comprise more than two thirds of the entire Nigerian population (2006 National Census). The youth represent the most creative, vibrant and energetic part of the population. Bearing this in mind, the importance of making policies and taking serious steps to ensure youth development in the Nigerian society cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, the Nigerian government has only made half hearted attempts at best to help the youth attain their true potential. This is the sort of approach that has led to the present situation where the Nigerian youth is so disillusioned that he constitutes a menace to himself and others. Education is a very important aspect of youth development. How else do we expect the youths to acquire the skills needed for National development? We currently do not have enough schools to cater for the teeming population of youths who are of schooling age. Even the schools we have are very poorly run, equipped and maintained. It is no wonder, then that so many of our youths travel abroad for better quality education. The government needs to build more schools in various parts of the country and then renovate and refurbish the schools currently in existence. Also, emphasis must be laid on practical education to ensure that the youths are employable after graduation. In addition, Education should be subsidized so much that everyone including the indigent families can afford to educate their children up to the university level. Unemployment is the greatest problem plaguing the youths of this country. About 46.5 percent of Nigerian youths are unemployed. This is a national disaster that must be tackled with the greatest urgency. A study of countries like China and India will immediately point to a very effective technique with which they have tackled unemployment and boosted their economy: Empowerment of the private sector. We must realize that a strong, robust private sector is vital in employing the teeming number of youths who are currently unemployed. Credit facilities, tax incentives should be readily available to youths who demonstrate the willingness to embark on genuine business ventures. Multinational companies operating in Nigeria have to be mandated to employ Nigerians. Youths should also be encouraged to take up careers in agriculture which used to be the largest employer of labour in Nigeria before the oil boom. The area of sports is an important, though often overlooked aspect of youth development. If the right facilities and programs are put in the place, talented Nigerians will be able to reach the greatest heights in different international sporting events. This will definitely bring great pride to our country. Finally, I must emphasize the need to act on the above recommendations without delay. For it is rightly said that a stitch in time, saves nine.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 08:22:28 +0000
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