Taking a good look at today’s Nigeria is more than enough to launch one into a state of depression. Life appears to be so unpredictable that there isn’t much we can be sure of. Doubt and uncertainly seem to have become very much a part of life.
As a result of the desire for security and happiness, most people work very hard to acquire the things they believe would make them happy and secure-usually money and material possessions. The average youth has a dream tomorrow. A dream that could be realized by any conscientious, coveigeos and determined person. A dream in which a good education would admit him into a life of independence. A life in which the young adult has a good job to account for, a roof above his head, three square meals on his table a day, access to basic amenities, luxuries for confort, extra for savings and probably a family to care for rewards for his sweat and labours. The problem with this dream remains in the fact that time would have to be reset to three or four decades ago.
The possessions people crave to acquire could be wiped out instantly by an earthquake, hurricane, an accident, a violent crime, serious illness, unemployment, homelessness, to mention a few with nuclear wars, ecological disaster and economic chaos looming large on the horizon, today’s youths have grown up under the threat of having no future at all. These and other impending disasters are instilling fear that humans have joined the league of endangered species.
In the meantime, a lot of resources, time inclusive has been spent in prolonging life, combating illness and disability, all in an effort to improve living conditions. Many of the ideas such as sensible eating and drinking habits, physical exercise, proper hygiene have been quite beneficial. But we need more than just simple guidelines for handling the broad rang of concern affecting our existence. The first step to solving any problem lies in identifying the problems. The obstacles threatening the future of youths include:
1. OVER POPULATION
Nearly three billion people are expected to be added to the world during the first half of this century – slightly fewer than the 3.5 billion added during the last half of the 20th century. Whereas the growth gin 1950 to 2000 occurred in both industrial and developing countries, the growth in the next fifty years is expected to be almost enterly in the developing ones.
In Nigerian town and cities, population doubtes in almost every three or four, overstretching the fiscal, technical and managerial capacity of the nation. The rural folks
are deserting the country side for the cities, many having been lured by the bright lights or driven from the country side by political and economic turmoil and ecological breakdown. There appears to be no slowdown in sight. A report by world watch institute estimates that by 2015, Lagos may be home to nearly 25 million people, rising in rank from the world’s thirteenth largest city to the third largest.
The strain in the urban areas resulting from overpopulation is causing public facilities to wear out faster than they are being replaced. Basic amenities such as water and electricity supply are limited and inadequate. The roads and bridges are becoming more difficult to remain.
2. HOMELESSNESS
Access to decent shelter has worsened despite the government’s promise of housing for all by the turn of the last millennium. For instance, out the 121000 housing stock slated to be constructed between 1994 and 1998, only about 1014 (less than 1%) were completed in Lagos.
Statistics show that 85% of urban population live in single room apartments, while occupants per room range between 8 and 12. Millions of people live in sub-standard and sub-human environments with ram shackle huts and match box houses for dwellings. Their less fortunate counter parts make do with improvised dwellings in uncompleted buildings or more commonly beneath bridges.
3. DISEASE
Health problems are more common than ever as broken down sewerage systems and vermin-infested garbage heaps dot dwelling places, providing the perfect breeding sites for germs and micro organisms. For instance, malaria has continued to be a major evil, killing 300,000 Nigerian children yearly and disrupting productivity. In Africa alone, it is estimated that one child dies from complications of malaria every 30 seconds. In addition, malaria is a primary cause of miscarriage, stillbirth and low birth weight and is responsible for 11% of all maternal mortality.
A research survey showed that awareness of insect treated nets (ITNs) among Nigerians increased significantly from 7% to 60% in 2000. But recent household survey showed that the high increase in awareness does not match actual usage by vulnerable Nigerians.
4. POVERTY
Recent World Bank findings indicate that half of the people in the world live on less than US$ 2 a day. Another one-fifth live on less than US$ 1 a day. Seventy percent of Nigerians fall in the second category. 29% of children are underweight while 97% of people to be born in the next 25 years would be born into poverty in the developing world.
Most Nigerians cannot afford two square meals a day. Those that can feed themselves three times regularly are considered rich. There is no question of clothing and decent shelter among many of them. While some live in relative comfort, millions live as squatters, setting up shacks wherever they can. Many eke out a living in whatever way they can savaging in dumps, havling heavy loads or collecting recyclables in push carts.
The basic amenities are difficulties to come by. Electricity keeps dweindling yearly. Some localities may be without electricity for more than 3 days a week. The other alternative-generators-cast quite a lot of money and the average person cannot afford it. Water supply is highly unpredictable. House hold taps are basically for decorative purposes.
Public hospitals are few and devoid of many facilities. Hospital bills and drugs are expensive and not within the reach of the average person. The private hospitals are not with these problems but they are closed to average Nigerians.
Education which is supposed to be a top is a bighurdle. It is expensive and yet some learning centres are in bad shape since they are being stretched beyond limits. Some actually consider education a time-wasting venture since the frequent strike actions by the educators prolong one’s yearly in school.
In the struggle for survival, poverty and other related problems have eroded family ties so that children have been forced to tend for themselves. It is not an uncommon sight to see kids walking around with trays of good on their heads or doing menial work at the local markets. Those in dire need adorn the streets inform of beggars. The growing number of street children is heart rending evidence of the deep poverty that exists in the cities of the developing world.
5. UNEMPLOYMENT
A report by researchers from World Bank and the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research revealed that in May 2000, the Federal Civil Service Commission expected a total of 100,000 applications for only 3301 available positions. In other words, there were 30 University graduates for every single vacancy in the commission.
The situation is actually worse than the figures indicate since graduates from the 16 state universities were not taken into account. The higher institutions are churning out graduates faster than they can be absorbed in the labour market. And unemployment figures continue to soar high.
A good university education is no more a guarantee to a fulfilling and satisfying well paid white collar job. Job-hunting is so chronic that it is becoming hader than schooling. There is too much nepotism and favoritism that the available jobs are mostly for “the boys”. Unless there is somebody in the top ranks to secure you job, you might remain in the unemployment league for years.
6. ECONOMIC CHAOS
The root of economic backwardness, stagnation and declines is the poor performance of the agricultural sector, which ideally should have been the predominant sector. The domestic policies with regard to agriculture had often constituted a disincentive for farmers. This is partly responsible for the high rate of rural-urban migration. This shortage of rural labour force is rapidly increasing the population of urban dwellers who have to be fed by the rural folks.
The so much dependence on a single export commodity-crude oil, has made the Nigerian economy vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices. Whenever global prices fall, the economy is thrown out of gear. It become more and more difficult for the government to meet its obligations.
In the wake of petro-dollas, Nigerians suddenly developed an appetite for imported goods. The dependency on agriculture was neglected and virtually destroyed. Food became a net import and it became generally forgotten that about 3 decades ago, Nigeria was the world’s most important producer of palm kernel and palm oil, the second most important producer of cocoa; the fifth rubber exporter and a major exporter of cotton, hides and skirs, timber, tin, columbite.
The massive depletion of foreign exchange caused Nigeria to go a-borrowing and till date, a huge debt trap still hangs on her neck.
7. ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND POLLUTION
The tropical jungles are gradually being turned into concrete jungles where plants and animals are replaced by high rise building and infrastructures. Rampant bush burning is threatening the growth of trees and wildlife species and reducing the ecological diversity. Gravel mining and inadequate or obstructed drainages are aggravating the problem of flooding and erosion.
Refuse heaps generated by residents, some as high as ten feet characterize the major cities, blocking motorways and making passages along alleys and pawerments difficult coloured, hot and heavy metal-laden effluents from textile, tannery and paint industries are being discharged directly into open drains and water channels, constituting direct dangers to water users. In one local community located rear the Kaduna river, the inhabitants developed scaly-like skin as a result of bathing with the effluence – contaminated water.
Gaseous emissions and particulates from industries are resulting in severe respiratory and cardiac consequences. The physical spread of these gares often occlude sunlight for hars in several parts of Lagos. For instance visibility reduction to les than 20m has almost become a permanent toature of the Oko baba mid-section of the third mainland bridge in Lagos where saw milleass burn way and other wood shawings.
The implication of the stration is becoming worrisome. Health experts have warned of impending out break of epidemic. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has also warned against the degradation of the environment which has contributed in no small measure to the exacerbation of low agricultural productivity, rural poverty, proliferation of diseases associated with extreme temperatures and poor environmental conditions.
8. HUMAN RIGHTS INFRINGEMENT
From time immemorial, the mate child has always been given preference over the female child in Africa. Tradition has it that the proliferation of a family’s generations is dependent on the male child. As a result of this deep-rooted tradition, women are generally given a back seat in the society. The low percentage of women in politics is an example of gender inequality.
In spite of the Universal Human Rights treaty and section 10 of the Federal Constitution requiring that Nigeria remain a secular country, the adoption of Sharia (Muslim law) in some northern parts of the country is posing problems as non-muslim residents are not comfortable with it. Some of the practical effects of Sharia are that it:
- prohibits alcohol consumption
- allows flogging, limb amputation and beheading as punishment for certain crimes
- requires boys and girls to be educated separately
- requires separate public transportation for men and women
These are threats to certain rights of any individual such as right to life, right to freedom of movement e.t.c.
9. CIVIL UNREST
Conflict is as old as mankind. In any human society, there is band to be some torm of dispute at one time or the other ranging from mere backyard squabbles into international wars.
Our pages of history are saturated with the blood of innocent victims. Even in our so-called enlightened 21st century where scientific and technological advancements are geared towards improving the quality of life, racial and tribal conflicts have made youths a prime target for slaughter. It seems that the youths have to pay for the mistakes and ambitions of their elders.
The adoption of Sharia resulted in a religious tracas in Kaduna, Nigeria in 2000. Mosques, Churches, Commercial establishments and private properties were forced to flee from Kaduna. The tracas did not just end there. It spread to other towns and death tolls rose rapidly.
In the Niger Delta region, community clashes the order of the day. As a result, development in that region is nothing to write home about.
10. VIOLENCE AND CRIME
In places where unemployment rates high, armed robbery, prostitution, fraud, extortion e.t.c are bound to flourish. The world of crime has become a booming industry in which many have chosen to invest in to escape poverty.
Street children who were left to tend for themselves often fall into the hands of miscreants. Much against their wish, they are forced to engage in anti-social behaviour. And a few years later, the same persons begin to attack members of the society a form of kickback for the ills they suffered in their childhood. For instance there is the risk of harassment from touts commonly known as “area boys” who parade the street of Lagos.
In my own view, I believe the solution to these obstacles lies in:
A POPULATION CONTROL
Countries with teeming population can reduce their family size quickly. The success recorded by Thailand and Iran can be achieved anywhere. With the average number of children per woman now less than two, Thailand’s annual population growth rate has been reduced from 3% to 0.8% per year while Iran has cut its population growth in half from 1987 to 1994.
Family planning, reproductive health and contraception are topics that people are not usually comfortable talking about. The first step would generally involve promoting such discussions. Radio and television broadcasts could be utilized in providing the necessary information. Population studies should be included in school curriculum so that even children would get to understood the consequences of prolonged exponential population growth. Religious leaders could be mobilized to convince couples to have smaller families.
Family planning services should be made available and at affordable prices. This alongside other initiatives could be combined to reduce the number of children per woman.
B. HOUSING PROJECTS
The houses erected by the Nigerian government in the last few years are currently up for sale. The problem lies in the fact that the cost runs in millions and is far above the reach of the average citizen. The government could enter into agreement with the prospective buyer sucgh that payment is made in instalments.
Sky-scraper apartments could be erected and let at affordable prices. This will ensure more housing units on the limited space available. Private investors could be invited to partake in housing projects.
Cooperative and thrift societies could assist and enable their members eract their own houses. Funding could be sought from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and corporate bodies.
C IMPROVING HEALTH STANDARDS
Eliminating breeding sites of diseases –causing organism and maintaining a high standard of sanitation rates. Preventive measures are generally cheaper than corrective measures. Recommendations for better health should be taken more seriously.
D. ERADICATING POVERTY
To enable the poor and more vulnerable sections of the society to achieve sustainable livelihoods, individuals, families and communities should be economically empowered through well coordinated and comprehensive poverty-alleviation programmes and policies.
The tools of biotechnology will boost food production needed to support the expanding population. For instance in Indian, a bacterial gene injected into cotton seeds produced a good resistance against boll worms – a major concern for cotton farmers. The same success achieved in India could be extended to other crops. Mechanized farming and irrigation will lend more land to agriculture all year round. When there is an abundance of food, market forces will come into play. Food prices fall and becomes within the reach of everybody.
Poverty-stricken area should be developed through provision of appropriate infrastructure and support system to facilitate project implementation at grass root level. Alternatives to hydro-power generation such as solar panels and bio-gas-generated power could be employed in the rural communities. Bore-holes and reservoirs could serve water needs. Putting the education sector in proper shape, making basic education free or granting repayable student bans would goa long way in making education available to all.
E. JOB CREATION
All persons must be provided with the opportunity to earn a sustainable sector of the economy will promote small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and enable them acquire economic self-sufficiency.
National development plans and budgets on investment in human capital focusing on the rural areas would open them up for employment. For instance, establishing hospitals, banks, power stations e.t.c in the rural areas would create more employment.
Nepotism and favoritism have to be eliminated so that the right persons can get into right places.
F. ECONOMIC REBIRTH
Economic diversification is a necessity that most meet up with the challenges of the 21st century. To build on economy that is self-sufficient and economically competitive internationally, massive investment in agriculture as the source of raw materials for industries, food for the teeming population and source of employment must be embarked upon.
The private sector has a lot to contribute to any economy. For instance in the last few years, SME, in Poland have contributed to 780 74% of the total working population. Making the country one of the fastest growing economies in eastern Europe. In South Korea, SME, have been the major vehicle through which foreign technology is transferred. In spite of the long years of economic and political isolation due to apartried in South Africa, the SMEs are quite vibrant with participants distributed in a wide range of sectors.
In borrowing a leaf from other rations, there is need for sustained government support for the SMEs to facilitate their entrenchment in these economies where their existence is still doubtful and wobbly. Various plans and policies should be adopted to create an enabling environment which is a pre requisite for industrial competitiveness against the backdrop of globalization.
G. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION
Several local NGOs such as the Nigerian Conservation Funds to support environmental projects in Nigeria in the last 15 years.
Tree-planting campaigns need to be taken more seriously than ever logging slash-and-burn farming and other practices destroying the forests should be restricted.
Stabilizing gully and costal erosion sites would minimize and eventually prevent the incidence of erosion.
Non-biodegradable wastes could be recycled while biodegradable ones could be used in biogas generation. Numerous land fill sites exist where the rest of the waste could go.
A hundred percent compliance with international and national regulations, standards and guidelines on wastes, the Kyoto protocol would ensure that biodiversity is maintained.
H. RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Equal rights and privileges must be given sexes in all aspects of life. It is quite useless if the agreement to “abide by the highest human rights standards” ends with a signature on paper. The agreement must be brought to grand. And provision must be made for every citizen to seek redress whenever his basic rights have been denied.
I. DIALOGUE
Dialogue has been and will continue to be the way out in matters relating to conflict. If our leaders can have their differences ironed out in round-table conferences, then our temptations to meet on battle fields would be eliminated.
J COMBATING CRIME
Assigning responsibilities to idle hands can curb crime, if not wipe it out completely.
Vocational centers will create an avenue for redirecting the minds of youths and empowering trem to acquire economic self-sufficiency. Inculcating compulsory community service in school programs will go a long way in building the spirit of selfless service and will provide the much needed opportunity for youths to channel their energies towards positive contributions to their environment. It will also enkindle them in the dignity of labour.
In conclusion, all hopes are not yet lost. The dreams and potentials of any youth can still be realized. We’re got what it takes and all that is left is for the relevant authorities and persons concerned to play their parts with commitment.
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