The 12th of August every year marks the UN International Youth Day. A day set out to celebrate youths all over the world. Youths are individuals between the ages of 18-35 i.e. those born between the year 1983 and the year 2000. 2018 marks the inclusion of people born in the new millennium. The period of being a youth is a time of learning from everyone, everything and anywhere. A youth can be likened to a sponge that soaks up as much moisture as possible. A period of discovery, adventure and ambition.
The theme for this year’s international Youth Day celebration is “SAFE PLACES FOR YOUTH”. When I learned of the theme, it enthralled and greatly appealed to me. Why won’t it? After all, I’m a Nigerian youth. Is anywhere truly safe for me? Is there a place I can freely express myself and ideas with my fellow young people; and our voices be heard? Is there a place for young people to contribute to the policy formulations, growth, and future of this nation?
I live in a country where government policies and institutions marginalise and suppress its young people; keeping them from reaching their true potentials. Where government security services are mostly notable for harassing, exploiting and killing young men and women. The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have not been reprimanded by the government at any time; nor sanitizing reforms made in this regard. In fact, to SARS operatives, being a young man in Nigeria is a prodigious offence which could get you severely brutalized, jailed or even killed. Notwithstanding, Mr. Transmission; the IGP, defiantly commended SARS operatives – saying they are doing a great job, despite the countless glaring complaints and reports of SARS operatives extorting innocent and brutalising innocent young men, and committing other criminal offences. Why doesn’t our voice and blood matter? Where is our safe space?
SARS are a menace; and constitute more of a threat to the safety of people than the “criminals” themselves. Hundreds and thousands of young people over the months have gone on social media to cry out. The hashtag #ENDSARS went viral, as we learnt more about their brute and animalistic actions. The future leaders of this nation are being criminally marginalised and murdered, unabatedly. Where is our safe space?
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In recent times, there has been an uproar for the discontinuance of the Nigerian Youth Corp Service (NYSC) which was initiated by then Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, in 1973. The service was aimed at uniting Nigeria after the Civil War. But the scheme has grossly underachieved its purposes over the years and has been bastardised – reduced to a cesspool-conduit for corruption, scandals, and death-traps.
In recent years, the rise in mortality of members of the Youth Corp has been alarming. The cause of death has been commonly associated to the poor state of the camps where Corp members stay; electoral violence, motor accidents from bad roads, and police extra-judicial killings. In many states, the living conditions are appalling – even my dog cannot stay in those places. These conditions are also synonymous with our educational institutions i.e. public schools and tertiary institutions alike, which are notorious for their terrible living and learning conditions.
The young people need a mental, economic, and political emancipation. We must begin to take charge of our own future. The gerontocrats should not build us a distorted future in which they don’t belong; nor would inherit. We need a safe space!
Some months ago, the Not Too Young to Rule (NTYTR) Bill was finally assented by our “youthful” President Muhammadu Buhari. He also remarked at the same event that no young person should run against him in the forthcoming 2019 general elections. Can’t say I was surprised. There’s absolutely no plan, whatsoever, to allow young people “wear long trousers” in Nigeria’s political space. We’ve been designated to remain perpetually “on a swing”.
The bill reduces the minimum age for Candidates for Key elective positions by 5 years. Sadly, this change has not been reflected in the constitution. And we know the constitution is supreme over all other laws in the land as seen in Section 1 of our unworkable military-unitarist constitution of 1999. Consequently, the bill is basically a charade? A sign of false hope for the youths in Nigeria, a mirage. Spraying perfumes on and fancy dressing a corpse – rotting within.
Even the cost of election in Nigeria is outrageous, nomination forms cost 10 million for the position of President. How many young people can afford that? So we have to result to sponsorship and “godfatherism” to just buy the form. Campaign travels expenses? Covering the cost of campaign promotional and ads? Creating national grassroot sensitization programs? Organising townhall meetings across states? We need a safe space!
With all struggles we face, WE NEED A SAFE SPACE! This cannot be overemphasised. We need to find a space where we can express our concerns and interests as young people without fear of intimidation or marginalisation; and ensuring that our voices and needs are heard and met. I must, however, commend many youth fellowships and youth centred religious gatherings. They have helped so many people feel safe and have given them the right conditions to express themselves.
Growing up I loved politics and history. But not many 12-year olds are interested in the election between Barack Obama and John McCain. Consequently, this resulted to discussions with way older than I was: my teachers and elders around me. They failed to see issues like I did. They failed to understand that educational qualifications and charisma are not enough to make a leader. I struggled finding a safe space to express my views and opinions. I found safe spaces for religious and moral issues but that wasn’t enough for me , I longed for more.
On 18th February 2018, I found my safe space. A space where I found myself with like-minds. A space of intellectuals and visionaries, passionately working to develop each other and the society. Young men with a vast range of knowledge, qualities and ambitions. These young men shared so many similar ideas with me on politics, national policies, law, economic reforms, restructuring, philosophy, and life, in general. I am grateful for this safe space and I appreciate everyone in it. It has propelled me greatly to improve myself in many areas. This safe space was built on the South African philosophy of “Ubuntu”; I am, because we are.
This was how great movements began. The USA civil rights movement in 1960s originated from safe spaces created by young black men in the south part of Nigeria. The fight for independence in Nigeria started in clubs and lounges in Yaba, Lagos and grew into the first political party in 1922. Thirty-eight years later we gained independence.
Several decades the safe space in Yaba has taken another form. Yaba can be described as the Silicon Valley of Nigeria. It is home of the brightest and most innovative youths in the information technology world. These activities are powered by young people and has attracted a lot of international awareness. Notable individuals like Mark Zuckerberg and French President Emmanuel Macron have visited the technology hub in Yaba with more enthusiasm than our fancy government houses.
Now is the time for the youths in Nigeria to come together and create our more spaces. Do not hide behind social media, use it as an instrument of change and development. Don’t let the label of “lazy” by a prehistoric president determine who you are or what you will become.
Safe spaces are the key to progress in every society. We, the conscious young people, must, therefore, play active roles in creating these safe spaces for empowerment of the next generation of leaders, where the government has failed. The internet is the greatest tool we have. We should utilise it to about the positive changes we desire to see in society and mankind.
Contact: mrbamisope@gmail.com
