*International Youth Day: Our Youths; Our
Greatest Embarrassment & Impediment?*
_"There is a cult of ignorance
among our youths and there has always been even among the political class. The
strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way
through our political and cultural life, with heroe worship and uncultured
praise-singing to political office holders even to the so called leaders whose
failure are very obvious and this is no doubt nurtured by the false notion that
democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge''_
On 17 December 1999, in its
resolution 54/120 , the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the
recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth
that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. The Day which is
commemorated every year on 12th August, bringing youth issues to the attention
of the international community and celebrating the potentials of youth as
partners in today’s global society.
Just few days ago, the world marked
The International Youth Day for the year 2021 with a lot of funfair and
exhibitions, truly and genuinely sending strong messages to their leaders while
registering their dissatisfactions where they think their governments need
improvement but here and other African countries, we have a different stage, a
stage purely set to worship politicians and sing praises for the same set of
people who impoverish and keep impoverishing them.
Personally i have no problem
praising anyone, not even clueless leaders whose greatest understanding of
politics is purely self profiteering instead of promoting the welfare of the
masses but i have issues with those political spectators who lack simple
knowledge of politics and governance. I mean those youths whose only reason for
supporting political actors is simply for money making and not the person's
ideology or antecedents; praising, dancing and worshiping any government in
power even to the most naive and insensitive administration, i mean those whose
leadership obviously constitute immense disaster to the people they lead. These
set of youth who keep positioning themselves as activists or firebrand
political figures, parading fake personality are really the ones standing in
opposition to our progress and development
as a society.
This is because I'm of the view
that politicians all over the world especially here in African society where we
have worst leaders, should not have fans. Because there is a difference between
being a supporter of a party, an agenda or even a candidate, and being part of
their fan base. Frankly speaking, blindly supporting a politician and sticking
with them no matter what is an unhealthy, unproductive dynamic and a shameful
practice that we need to stop. And we see symptoms of fan culture permeating
politics constantly in our society and is not helping anyone. And is very
important to note here that when you’re considering who you’re going to support
or vote for, you don’t have to be in love with a candidate. Worshiping the
ground they walk on doesn’t do us any good and not even you who think you are
reaping from the administration because directly or indirectly you will surely
get the result of your actions. And Even if you do admire a politician or their
work, there should be a level of separation
that shouldn't exist in other forms
of fan culture because being a fan of a politician means automatically being
blinded from the realities and whether their policies are good or bad, you will
still find that a reason to hate those criticizing the policy.
Furthermore, the worst side effect
of heroes-worshiping of politicians is when it leads to attacking the other
side or treating them like they’re immoral for supporting someone you do not
like, this is where every criticism means hatred or opposition. This is a dangerous
side of our youth in today's politics that need to be tackled and there is no
better way to do this than striving for self empowerment. Because politics
ordinarily shouldn't be a career because is only when all our hope and life
aspiration is dependent on either singing praises or worshipping politician or
any government in power that we loose out sense of independent. What do we make
of when youth organisations here are mainly formed for the sole reason of
making money for themselves or bargaining for political appointment. To them,
is all about how much one can make from any given administration, the higher
your make - the more smarter you are. And at the end you will see their
shoulder swelling up like soaked bread for ignorantly contributing to the mess
and rots in the society.
Finally, to the leaders of our
today society, is important you understand that there is need for genuine
inclusive support mechanisms for youth so that they can amplify their efforts
collectively and individually for self advancement which will in turn impart
positively for the good of all.
To our fellow youths, having a
skill or gaining some level of financial independent will not only give ground
for genuine activism which will sure push the government at all level to sit up
to their responsibilities because when praise and heroe- worship ceases or
highly reduced our society will sure be a better place.
https://mediagangnetwork.com/2021/08/15/international-youth-day-our-youths-our-greatest-embarrassment-impediment/
_By_
*Martins Chiedozie Ugwu*
Johnmartinsworldonline@gmail.com
+2348037553190
Vice - President Africa/Middle
East: Global Investment And Asset Management Council
