Our children, our future

Before year 2000, Children and Youth Days were jointly celebrated, until the United Nations pronounced that the erstwhile “International Children and Youth Day” should be separated and celebrated apart on May 27 and August 12 respectively, with effect from that year.

In addition, the African Charter also declared every June 16 as the “Day of the African Child” in order to drive home the inextricable importance of the welfare and total development of the African child. In line with the above salient facts, the Child’s Right Act was subsequently signed into law by the Nigerian Government on 31st July 2003, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR).

Without doubt, there is no gain-saying the fact that both children and youth, who are commonly referred to as “future leaders” are the most-vulnerable sector of Nigeria’s vast population. As such, conscientious efforts must therefore be constantly made towards the provision of meaningful structures, policies and programmes that would effectively shape their moral, intellectual and spiritual development in order to pragmatically direct the course of the Nigerian society of the future, right from the present time.

“Children depend on us to speak for them because they are voiceless (powerless) and they suffer most, when developmental resources are mismanaged. Therefore, they need us to bring their special needs to the notice of the rulers (political leaders and technocrats).” It is very worrisome that over twenty million Nigerian children are presently classified as “less privileged” and also being out of school. This huge figure portends a great danger for the future of Nigeria, if this sordid situation is not urgently arrested. This pathetic situation became very glaring and disturbing assome indolent children and youths went on rampage in some states in Northern Nigeria, to vandalize public infrastructures and broke into some commercial storesand banks to steal, during the recent hunger protest. They were also emboldened to the extent of hijacking Armoured Personnel Carrier (APS) in Kaduna, as well as military trucks in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In Africa and across the world, names of some popular writers and musicians, who specially dedicated some of their works to “The Child” includes:“The African Child” by Camara Laye; “Ake” by Wole Soyinka; “Sons And Lovers” by D. H. Lawrence.

Some English writers’ works are “PARADISE REGAINED” by John Milton; “The Child Is Father Of The Man” by William Woodsworth. Among the musicians, we have “The Child” by King Sunny Ade; “Precious Gift” by Chief Ebenezer Obey; among others. The above listed works and many others were all part of various attempts aimed at advocating and re-awakening our society and the government from slumber, due to the gross neglect and abuse of the child.

I, therefore, make bold to say that the birth of a child is to a greater extent “accidental” due to the fact that a child does not willingly choose his or her parents, family, tribe, society or nation. Rather, we all grew up to find ourselves where we are; and where we find ourselves (individually), will/hasto a larger extent, determine/define who we are and what we eventually become in life. This therefore, goes to affirm that the quality of parental characters and care, type of family, kingship, as well as societal values, which a child lives and grow up with, coupled with the national charter/character (civic, cultural and orientational goals) among others, are key components which largely helps the mental, moral, intellectual, psychological, spiritual and social development of a child; and by extension, the society and nation as a whole.

In essence, all these factors prepare the ground for the type of roles and responsibilities a child will later assume in his or her future life. Moreover, the multiplier effects and totality of all these factors, culminates into the type and quality of life and society we all live as a people. In this light, we must all come to the realization of the fact that the welfare and capacity of a nation, depends totally on the quality of developmental experiences, as well as the type/standard of socialization imbibed by the younger generation, along with the stability and prospects of the family institution in general.

Therefore, the crucial role of the family institution as a veritable social unit of a nation, cannot be over emphasized in view of the fact that a nation is built on diverse family structures, whose members interface to pilot the affairs of the nation. In essence, a nation’s future growth largely depends on the socio-economic well-being and stability of the family institution.

As a result, a child’s immediate environment is without doubt, his/her first school, from infancy. At this stage of the child’s life, the five senses of taste, sight, touch, feel and smell automatically constitutes the his/her sensitivity. In this regard, the sensual learning process of a child can therefore, be summed up thus: “if a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn; if a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight; if a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy; if a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty; if a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient; if a child lives with encouragement, he learns to have confidence; if a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate; if a child lives with fairness, he learns justice; if a child lives with security, he learns to have faith; if a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself; if a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.”

Based on the above salient facts, the roles of youth organizations, most especially those ones that are directly impacting moral, civic education, character building, leadership training and selfless service are sine-qua-non to the attainment of sustainable success in this direction. It therefore behooves government at all levels to identify and synergize with these organizations by strengthening them towards achieving their lofty aims and objectives.

However, it is very saddening that most of these voluntary youth organizations, like the Nigerian Aid Group, Boys Scout, Boys/Girls Brigade, Man-O-War, Red Cross, Sheriff Guard, among others that were earlier helpful to youth development and character-building, have now been politicized and rendered irrelevant; thus, leaving a big vacuum in this critical sector of national development.

• Comrade Ganiyu Abdullahi (08055048925) is a concerned patriot and activist.