youth

Blog, Essays, Writers

The Impact Of Foreign Media On Our Society by Opara Udochukwu.

/

  “ I wake up in the morning Tell you what I see on my Tv screen I see the blood of an innocent child And everybody’s watchin “             Those were the exact words of a popular Nigerian – French singer and song writer, commonly known as ‘Asa’ in her song titled ‘Fire on the Mountain’. If I am not mistaken, those words by Asa were expressing the negative impact of television on children. Several times, we fail to actualize the impact of the foreign media on our society. The high negligence on the impact of foreign media has however, made the presence of foreign media to be highly devastating in our present day society. In this concept, it is very important to examine the significant impact of the western pop culture and the implications, using the youths in Nigeria as a typical case study. An analysis was carried out in Takum Local Government Area (LGA) in Taraba state, Nigeria. All the participants used during the vulnerable analysis where all indigenous youths of the Takum Local Government Area (LGA) and constituted both males and females. The aim of the study was to highlight and understand the influence of the western culture on the Nigerian youths and assess the extent of those foreign media on the country’s youths especially in relation to what they wear and in regards to how they greet. Following the analysis, it was disappointing that, a vast majority of the youths in Takum hardly greet their elders due to their exposure to the western culture through the media and if they greet, they don’t go down with their knees to show sign of respect as the culture demands. In addition to that, a high rate of youths in Takum do not have a native attire and if they have, it will be relativity fewer than their western attire. This correlate the fact that, the advert of social media, internet and social networks, has made the cultural value that has been built for the past decades by fore-fathers of Nigeria culture has been thrown down the drain due to what the youth called ‘civilization’. In a more recent time, the tendency for youths to imitate, emulate and mimic what they see on the social media, has been a topic of controversial over the past years. Such tendency paves room for ‘cultural imperialism’. Cultural imperialism is a term used to describe the imposition of western culture on the culture of people in developing countries. Africans and indeed Nigerians have their own culture. Nigeria which is made up of rich and diverse cultural values is beginning to lose most of its cultural ideas especially through the adoption of foreign culture. The sad side of the exposure to foreign media on the culture of a society is that, the glorification of western lifestyle goes side by side with condemnation of local culture. This creates a situation where Nigeria are becoming more British or Americans than the Americans or British themselves and this invariable, creates marginal individuals to the extent that they are rather here nor there. The cases of violence in Nigeria is gradually exceeding that of other countries and is becoming extremely remarkable. It is quite astonishing that, for over 60 years after Nigeria gained independence, the cases of violence have been constantly increasing. The population of Nigeria during the pre-era time was about 180 million and now has increased to over 300 million, but studies shows that the tremendous growth of the population in Nigeria plays an insignificant role in the extreme cases of violence in Nigeria. This poses a very serious question as to what has lingered the extreme cases of violence in Nigeria. Studies shows that, the more violence movies which under aged children watch, the higher tendency for the children to be violence as the grow. Almost all 85 percent of the youths in Nigeria prefer to watch foreign movies than local movies. Big Hollywood (foreign) movies are often associated with the use of violence and in most cases, the winner from the violence are often regarded as the hero. This correlate the fact that, in Nigeria, the influence of the foreign media on youths in Nigeria has been seen as the leading cause of violence in Nigeria and however, a more pragmatic and realistic solution is required. A survey was carried out amongst 42 students aged 15-18. Following the survey that was carried out, all the 42 students could speak the western language (English) properly, about 19 students could not speak their native language at all, which donates about 45 percent of the students used in the survey, about 13 students could not speak their native language properly, which constitute 31 percent of the students used during the survey. However, it was appealing that, only 10 students could speak their native language properly. From the survey that was carried out, it was estimated that, about 65 percent of the youths nationwide could not speak their native language properly but could all speak the western language (English) properly. Vast number of Nigerians today which speak English as a result of the influence of the foreign media, instead of their ancestral language, has caused a barrier in communication between the young ones who migrated to the Urban Areas, some people living in the areas, and old men and women. Nationwide, it seems that there is an inverse relationship between age and deviation from the culture. For instance, youths are nearly 8 times more likely to deviate from the cultural norms than people of old age. The socio-cultural evolution in Nigeria, in one way or the other has provoked development and crisis as well. Many articles speak on the crisis of the socio-cultural evolution in Nigeria but, fail to speak on the positive dimension of the western culture in Nigeria. Westernism accompanied by advanced technology stepped down the pace of Nigeria local technological development and oral tradition. In fairness however, Western

Essays, Writers

Mindset Matters Most by Paul Ojocheyi.

/

The western pop culture can be seen as the lifestyle of the natives of Europe and other continents, or countries that have strong ties to Europe. Australia, Canada, and United States are not particularly European, but are classified as part of the western pop culture perpetrators. This culture does not only mean the genre of music of the west, their movies, and the lifestyles portrayed in them. It encompasses the totality of the general lifestyle of a man from the west, and what is accepted by the majority.   The western pop culture which is believed to originate from Europe is now controlled by United States of America(USA).  This is possible because of the control America has  over the media, and its acclaimed title of “world power”. The United States controls the world’s music and movie industries. It is home to many of the most renowned universities, richest men, religious and political celebrities, and most importantly, it is considered as the home of freedom. Also, most news, internet, and social media are owned and controlled by Americans: Google(Which entails Android, YouTube, Gmail, Google maps, etcetera), Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, Cable Network News (CNN). It can be said that America controls the media; The major means of propagation of news amongst youths in the Twenty first (21st) century. It can be logically inferred that the western pop culture is whatever is accepted and portrayed by Americans.   After the basic foundation laid on western pop culture, our concern should be its effect on Nigerian youths. Most Nigerian youths have access to the internet, and are constantly fed information that registers in their brain cells. This information gets exhibited as actions. These actions can either be considered morally upright, or a total decline from the moral decency upheld by the Nigerian society. What are the effects of this western pop culture? These effects can be classified into two categories: good and bad.   Bad effect of western pop culture amongst Nigerian youths An average Nigerian youth must have watched a movie with some adult contents such as kissing in his/her lifetime. An average Nigerian youth has Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram accounts. These youths are exposed to images of crime and sex at the comfort of their homes through the internet. They are sometimes pushed to choose celebrities with very rough lives as role models, and in the process, they end up being dragged away from their Nigerian upbringing. Also, exposure to the western pop culture has made many Nigerian youths to have little regard for respect. Imagine a Yoruba youth who no longer feels it is necessary to greet an elderly man simply because Hollywood portrayed it. Imagine a youth who sags his trouser all day, smokes cigars, drinks to stupor, and still feels it is the right way just because he has picked a drug dealer as a mentor. Most Nigerian youths prefer the social media to their studies. They spend their time all day on media commenting on the photos of their most liked celebrities. According to a research work by Fernando Mabelle in Lagos, it was discovered that 63.2% of interviewed youths accepted that western movies shape their attitude. Another 75.8% said they preferred western culture to their indigenous native culture. A larger percentage, 84.2% of the interviewed youths population said western culture should not be resisted.   Good effect of western culture on Nigerian youths To every disadvantage, there is an advantage. The western pop culture has significantly great positive effects that it can never be overemphasized. The social media and Information Communication Technology (ICT) are functions of the outcome of the western pop culture. Many Nigerian youths have chosen to utilize this culture for the benefit of humanity, rather than for a actions that depict moral decadence. There are thousands of excellent celebrities that serve as positive motivation to youths. Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Ellon Musk, Joyce Meyer, and Robert Kiyosaki are excellent examples of westerners whose lives serve as motivation to Nigerian youths. Another very good example of the good use of the western pop culture is the Cmonionline weekly essay competition for Nigerian youths. Cmonionline uses the social media(Facebook and Twitter) and internet(Website) to ensure that interested youths are meaningfully engaged.   Conclusion Though there are some bad aspects of western pop culture,  no one forces anybody to accept them. Anyone who accepts this culture does this at will, and not solely out of ignorance. There is a popular adage that says “ You can force a house to the river, but you cannot force it to drink water”. This saying applies to all Nigerian youths who blame the western pop culture for their wrongs. Our mindset is what matters most, and not what the western pop culture portrays. The western pop culture is not completely right, and neither is there a culture that is completely right. There were thieves in Nigeria even before the Europeans set their foot on the soil of Nigeria. There were prostitutes and murderers in our local indigenous settlements before we had contacts with the western world. So why do we blame the westerners for what was already in our land before their arrival? I am not saying that the western world does not have a negative effect. All I am saying is that we have the liberty to choose what to accept, and what not to. The westerners have lots of very good mentors too, so the choice is ours.       References com m.wikipedia.org › wiki >Immigration history of Australia – Wikipedia bartleby.com › essay › Western Pop Culture – 1775 Words | Bartleby   Paul is a student of Mechatronics Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna who loves reading, writing, poetry, and philosophy. He wrote in via paulojocheyi@gmail.com

Essays, Writers

Western Popular Culture And The Nigerian Youth by Victor Oladejo.

/

Western pop culture( also known as popular culture) refers to entertainment( music, film, sports), politics, fashion, education , technology and social life originates from the European and American cultures. The presence of western popular culture in Africa can be traced to colonial links and civilizations which in no small amount contributed to the development of the continent , with the marks of the influence drawn on the educational sector, the mass media, economic sector, political realm and the lifestyle of the people that are influenced. Western popular culture in Nigeria has remained as an influencing force right from the 50s and the 60s . such influences includes the first television station in Africa which was established by the then western Regional government on october 1st 1959 a year before the independence of the sovereign nation and a similar broadcasting television station was established by the then Eastern government in 1960 at Enugu. The television stations served as major tools of mass socio– economic and political enlightenment in the nation. Also in the league of the electronic media influence includes FM ( frequency module) Radio stations which also served as a tool of mass enlightenment through the various programmes where relevant issues of the country were made available. The print media which includes Newspapers , magazines journals and other educational materials such as literature , research texts and documents served as a mode of education to the citizens of the country. Another notable influence includes the use of electronic equipment and gagets such as computers, musical instruments , telephones, television and other technological inventions. In addition to the media influences, there were impacts on music, this is evident in the various musical improvements in popular and indegineous music such as highlife, juju, bongo , reggae and blues which were made with musical instruments and studio recordings. Western cloths and dressing culture also played significant roles in the Nigerian society. In the present day Nigeria of the advanced technollogical era, western popular culture remains as a strong force of influence like it was in the early years of our country. Through the mass media, social media, internet, gagets electronic and other technologies various tools of change have been made available . For example, during the corona virus outbreak the mass media ( print and electronic) was used as a mode of spreading information to the masses on safety measures in Nigeria. The social media is another perfect example of a strong influence on the Nigerian society and the youths in particular. Social media platforms like Twitter, facebook, instagram , and whatsapp have served as a mode of linking people with others and exposure to different oppurtunity and discussions on social, political and economic issues in the country. During the protest against police brutality in Nigeria and the demand for the closure of the special anti- robbery squad(SARS) the social media platforms were used for the display of hashtagged posts and later, the videos of the bloody scenes during the protest. However, admist all the positive influences western popular culture has made in our society, the negative effect on our society and the youths is a growing challenge. Western popular culture with it’s influence on mass media , entertainment, social media and fashion which most of the present day Nigerian youths are interested ; gradual and evident negative changes are made to their lifestyle in some ways. In a bid to replicate and ‘improve’ , the entertainment industry ( music, film) after some contents in some western movies, most of celebrated and trending secular movies now contain sexually glamorizing scenes that celebrate sexual violence , promiscuity and reduction of women to mere sexual objects. Music in Nigeria on the other hand, especially hiphop is a great example of how far western replication has created an ugly trend. Most hiphop music contain the display of nubile women dancers in indecent dressing. In those musics , celebration of sexual promiscuity, addiction , violence and get- rich-quick inducing messages are present in the lyrics. The effect on the youth is quite alarming, because the youths as the audience try to identify with the attractive characters and life portrayed by the celebrities which they accept as normal and realistic to engage in, which in the end lead to the modelling of their new behaviours and reaction to things. The imitation of this celebrites in no small measure has contribute to the rising rate of armed robbert, rape , indicent dressing, drug addiction cybercrimes and other vices in our society. In addition there are tendencies of addiction to the social media due to it’s interactive modes. The frequent use for information search and dissemination , overtime; leads to addiction to the contents which places strains on relationship with others, work , religious and other physical activities. For change to occur and wipe the ugly marks of western popular culture in the lifestyle of our youths and society, the change lies in the hand of the government and citizens. The various control boards on entertainment in Nigeria should place ban on movies and musics that induce vices. The massmedia should promote good values, religious beliefand morals in their programmes and symposiums that would teach on the need to divert attention from aspects of western culture that needs not to be emulated. With all this steps taken, i think the presence of western popular culture in our society would be a tool of positive change. Bibliography: International journal media, journalism and communication.(issue 2 , volume 2, 2016) Albert Bandura , social foundations of thought and action.Englewood Cliff, N.j prentice Hall.( 1986) Oladejo Victor Olayemi is a budding artist and a secondary school graduate. He lives in Ore, Odigbo, Ondo state and wrote in via victoroladejo95@gmail.com

Essays, Writers

Youths: Nigeria’s Hope For Leadership by Oyinola Abosede.

/

  Introduction  Youth: the life of a country, the strength of a nation and the hope of innumerable generations. Their resilience is like the eagle in the sky, strong like a lion in the jungle, they are the fresh life line and the future of Nigeria. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2019) defines a youth as the early period of existence, growth and development. It is the stage in the life of an individual that is very crucial because it is the decision-making stage.   Jogging down the memory lane. I remembered how 12 professors were called to sit in an airplane. When the plane was about to take off, they were informed that the plane was made by some youths in the nation. They all quickly ran out leaving one woman who was sitting confidently. Surprised, onlookers asked her why she was still in the airplane and she said, ‘if indeed this airplane was made by our youths, trust me it won’t even start’. I think it is high time this mind-set changed.   I quite agree with Rachel Jackson who said “Our youths are not failing the system; the system is failing the youths. Ironically, the very youths who are being treated the worst are the young people who are going to lead us out of our nightmare”.  A Nation in need of Accountable Leadership  Effective and accountable leadership remains one of the biggest challenges to development in Nigeria today. Leaders in our nation have not always responded effectively to the needs of the country, but there is hope in the rising generation of youths who could play a critical role in building accountability for successful representation, economic transformation and public service.    Currently, Nigeria face problems that are common to all sovereign units. These problems are generally in relation to capacity building, governance, regional and sub-regional economic integration, tribalism, corruption, food security, unemployment, external debt burden, international trade and payment relations amongst others, all of which could easily be traced back to its calibre of leaders and leadership structures. The role of the youths in addressing and solving these chronic problems that seem second nature to Nigeria can never be overemphasized. This calls for the need to understand leadership objectively and within the African context, working towards educating, enlightening and empowering Africa’s next generation of leaders.  In our current generation, youths are trying to take on leadership roles that were previously reserved for seniors, a move that hasn’t been received in the most positive light by the elderly. Across the world, leadership thinking has shifted from the erroneous belief that age, experience and maturity were the dynamics that led to modern and innovative systems.   Most countries of the world are diverting significant resources towards securing the future of their countries – by preparing the younger generations for responsible and productive leadership in politics, business, technology and other areas for sustaining democracy. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case in Africa and Nigeria in particular. Former US President Barack Obama was young when he took over governance in America. It was the same with David Cameroon, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Both of the leaders performed brilliantly and turned around the socioeconomic lives of their countries respectively.   The recently appointed commissioner for youths and sports in Oyo State, Oluwaseun Fakorede and the youngest speaker in the country today, Hon. Sangodoyin are good examples of how the younger generations can lead their countries successfully. Indeed, leadership is changing across the world!   The Hope of today’s Youths  Youth-Empowerment   I strongly believe youth empowerment should be at the foremost pursuit of the Nigeria youths in taking on the reins of leadership in our country today. Youth empowerment is a process where young people are encouraged to take charge of their lives. It is a structural and attitudinal process whereby young people gain the ability, agency and authority to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other citizens in the nation.  I have always asked myself a couple of times the difference between youth empowerment and youth development. My search revealed the answer buried deep in the manifesto of the Executive Governor of Oyo State as regards youth empowerment and youth development. “In his words he said youth empowerment is different from development because development is centred on developing individuals, while empowerment is focused on creating greater community change and it relies on the development of individual’s capacity”.  Need I say that youth empowerment cuts across several programs the youths can empower themselves with through activities and experiences that will help them develop social, ethical, emotional, physical, and cognitive competencies which I believe includes  the ability to analyse their own strengths and weaknesses, set personal and vocational goals, have the confidence, motivation, self-esteem and abilities to carry them out (including the ability to establish support networks in order to effect positive social change and fully participate in community life).    Some of these programs include: Young African Leaders Initiative, International Youth Foundation, Young Africa, Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Foundation amongst many others.      Active Engagement in Community Service  The truth is that volunteering and active engagement in community service in order to help solve societal problems with others is another major form of civic activity in which the youths can engage themselves with, in order to take the mantle of leadership in the nearest future.   Let us be clear, the benefit from this engagement is of two-fold: Firstly, the youths can train or be a model for the general public, to monitor what the government does which I believe will help create more watchdogs to check the actions and policies of the government and by so doing prepare themselves for greater exploits in their leadership aspirations. Secondly, I believe that apart from building networks and gaining useful experiences with other people in the society, the volunteers can make themselves useful for the community and keep themselves well-informed of the current situations in the nation.   Also, participating in these activities help raise awareness of the youths about the current economic, legal, political issues and social development in the country, which will place them at a better position to check the government’s performance and aim higher in the future.    Education and Human Capital Development  I remember a popular legal maxim which states that nemo dat quod non habet (no one can give that which he does not have). However, Nigeria remains a stubborn exception to this rule. Our wizardry is so remarkable that we are capable of giving what we do not have and importing exactly what we have. In a knowledge-based economy, human capital development and its educational transformation into good governance and effective leadership is a challenge for youths who may want to challenge the status quo and take the mantle of leadership in the future.    Furthermore, since capacities, skills, know-how, knowledge, skills, ideas and commitments which add economic value to the nation are all categorized under human capital. Therefore; young people should focus more on the following topics – civic engagement,

Blog, Essays, Writers

Revoking Nigeria’s Aged Leadership: The Pathway For Youths by Ogbaga Sunday.  

/

As John C. Maxwell rightly said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership”. Suffice it to say, the ripple effect of good leadership impacts positively on the collective progress and development of a people and their society at large. On the flip side, a nation that suffers from bad leadership is doomed to fail. Inferring from the fact that youthful age (ages of 15 to 35 years) is an apogee of strength, innovativeness, and fast intellectual reasoning, the influx of youth in leadership is considered the cleverest and most effective strategy for promoting and reaping the dividends of pragmatic leadership. Casting back to the eras of people like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Africanus Horton, Edward Wilmot Blyden, Ahmed Ben Bella, Julius Nyerere, Kwame Nkrumah, Thomas Sankara and many other great men of yore; one fact stands out—they were all youth when they made formidable leadership impacts that changed the history of their country for good. The current dispensation is also not a sacred cow. Examples of youth leadership exploitation abound across the globe.  Sadly, however, for a long time in Nigeria, the sit-tight attitude and unending recycling of the older generation politicians has systematically barricaded the youths from taking the lead. Hardly do political or decision-making positions given to them. From the president, governors, law-makers, the country’s ambassadors…down to local government chairmen, pinpointing a youth in such position is as hard as seeing a white tiger in the wild. This menace has impeded Nigeria’s bulging youth population from unleashing their political potential and has inhibited the country’s progress in no small measure. Despite being endowed with abundant human and material resources, and having been driven by 60 years of self-governance, waves of underdevelopment still blow heavily in the country. Issues of corruption, widespread poverty and its attendant frustrations, insecurity, religious and tribal crisis, electoral violence, human rights abuses and dwindling economy are perceptibly deep-seated. The misery surrounding this pervasive underdevelopment resonates with the legal dictum, “nemo dat quod non habet” (no one gives what they do not have). Nigeria’s grey-haired leaders obviously lack the daring energy, ingenuity and prudence needed to play critical leadership roles capable of curtailing the country’s multifaceted problems.  With this reality, therefore, the need for maximum youth inclusion in leadership is not mere wishful thinking but a matter of necessity. Nevertheless, the ultimate poser is: what can be done to ensure that youths take the lead?   I agree with Albert Einstein who long ago defined insanity as “doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result”. Copious research on the dearth of youth engagement in Nigerian politics, more often than not, heaps the tasks of changing the status quo of the government.  I will beg to differ! Our over-aged leaders are not, and will likely never be willing to take proactive measures that will ensure the influx of youth in leadership. They are enjoying mediocrity. And they have nothing much at stake. Thus, I have a strong conviction that to change the current precarious narrative; we, the youths, must take the bull by the horn. After all, “Freedom is not given, it is taken”. In view of this, the following recommendations are proffered:     Firstly, every Nigerian youth must shun political apathy and get interested in the business of leadership in Nigeria. Political apathy creates a comfort zone for the sit-tight attitude of our old politicians. Anyone up to 18 years old must get voter’s card and vote credibly during elections. On the same pedestal, we must shun and denounce political thuggery and bribery so we can stop being a politicking tool in the hands of our oppressors. Most importantly, in our littlest leadership chance, we need to do everything humanly possible to leave positive landmarks.   Secondly, any youth who takes a bold step to contest for a leadership position must not be left to suffer humiliation at the poll. Hence, we must begin to support and throw formidable solidarity to any young person vying for a leadership position. For instance, Yul Edochie, a popular Nollywood actor and youth activist, contested the governorship election in Anambra state. Notwithstanding that Anambra state have a booming youth population; it was heartbreaking that he scored very low. In other words, he was betrayed. Another striking case is when Omoyele Sowore, a youth activist and #RevolutionNow convener, was detained by the DSS, possibly to truncate his blazing advocacy for youth leadership. Only an iota number of youths protested for his release. However, when a singer and known drug addict, Naira Marley, was arrested for an alleged internet scam, youths trooped out en mass to campaign for his release. Attitudes like this are like one chasing a rat while his house is on fire. Until we begin to support our fellow young people, our craving for maximum inclusion in leadership and decision will not be actualized.  In fact, if we can unify and jettison tribalism and religious sentiments, the Nigerian youths have what it takes to produce a young president.  Thirdly, it is high time we begin to mount irresistible pressure on our lawmakers to map out certain important leadership quotas exclusively for the youth. In the same vein, the continued practice of appointing elderly people to serve as ministers and commissioners for youth affairs is a dastardly act we must begin to challenge. Alas, the recent #EndSARS peaceful protest has once again reaffirmed that when determined, youth voices can lead to meaningful governmental actions.  Again, we need to squarely and legitimately gain financial freedom. Although not many people talk about this, it is paramount if we are to take a pride of place in leadership. Our politicians have taken the advantage of endemic youth unemployment in the country to cage the youths and turn many into errand and political hallelujah boys. Of course, he who feeds one controls him. For our integrity to remain unshakable and for our voices to translate into a meaningful cause, we must at least be able to feed ourselves and pay our bills. And we know, acquiring a skill is the surest way individuals can break out of the shackle of poverty. Often-taken-for-granted skills like carpentry, tailoring, bead making, barbing, plumbing, phone repairing, painting, creative writing etc. are all extremely veritable sources of income one can monetize and be free from poverty. Moreover, with the advent of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and the internet, there are volumes of soft skills that can be learnt even in one’s comfort zone. we need to develop an acute appetite for skill acquisition.   Furthermore, the need for a proactive lifestyle cannot be overemphasized. We need to put an end to defamatory and cancerous attitudes like cultism, drug addiction, arm robbery, rape, etc. After all, to purge a vice, virtue is needed.    Finally, voracious reading is a sure arrow in the quiver. “Leaders are readers” said Harry S. Truman. Sadly, the Nigerian youth of today detests reading.  Part of the reason for our leadership failure is because many

Essays, Writers

The Pipe Dream Of Nigerian Youths by Osanyinro Oluwaseun. 

/

  The dawn of the day saw him fetching water from the well and singing at the highest pitch of his voice which of course could wake the dead in the house. As if that was not enough, the lyrics of his song would have surely made the dead laugh. He was singing of his enviable future of dropping out of school because he wanted to be a musician, composing a hit song, making millions of dollar, building mansions, buying cars and becoming God’s gift to women. A future the Nigerian entertainment industry has sold to its audience should have to be recognised. A future seen in popular Nigerian songs and movie. A future Nigerian entertainers are living or shown to be living. Presently, the entertainment industry has the loudest voice in the lives of youths.  We could the blame social media for creating the avenue for entertainers to display their affluence, we could blame the entertainers themselves for showing off on social media or we could blame the youths for being gullible enough to believe all they see on social media is real. Yet, the blame game cannot stop the cankerworm called materialism still eating deep into the hearts of the Nigerian youths. According to the English dictionary, materialism is a state of constant concern over material possessions and wealth. A state where every other thing seems secondary save physical possessions one has such as cars, houses, gadgets, phones and even money. While these possessions are of benefit to man, a constant concern over their absence or eagerness to possess them at any cost is detrimental.   The Nigerian entertainment industry has since time in memorial favored individuals with material possessions and wealth at the expense of wisdom, arts and crafts or education. Interviews granted are mostly of young people who have made millions at an early age and have material possessions to show for it rather than youths that have made world record in inventions or education. A musician that just bought a vehicle worth millions is celebrated while a person who won an international writing competition may not be known. Lives of entertainers are being watched or followed on the social media where they show the world their newest acquisition almost every day. Today, youths spend more time on social media, are more materialistic and less involved in hard work. An example can be seen in youths preferring to sit in a house for 90 days and come out with millions of naira instead of working.   A ripple effect of this cankerworm is unhealthy competition. Nigerian youths have begun competing with one another as to who has more material possession. In bid to take after their models in the entertainment industry, most youths seek to possess materials even beyond their capacity. It is of no wonder one could see a jobless youth using the latest I-phone product or buying latest clothes or shoes and would involve themselves in fraudulent practices just to acquire them. This can be seen as the percentage of young Nigerians involved in scam, drug trafficking and sexual misconduct is on the increase. They would stop at nothing to be able to rub shoulders with Nigerian entertainers and be recognised by the industry.  While forgetting that human wants are insatiable, one of the effects of materialism is dissatisfaction. As the Nigerian entertainment industry encourage the acquisition of more and more possessions, youths become dissatisfied with their current state and want more. Whatever they possess at a particular time becomes obsolete and they want whatever is the latest. They want whatever is being celebrated at the moment.  Inferiority complex has become a burden pledging lives of Nigerian youths that for one reason or another are unable to join in the rat race of materialism hosted by the Nigerian entertainment industry. Also, as life does not always go as planned, some youths in this rat race may realize that things seem not to be working out. The two parties may fall into depression and become anxious of the future. With a lot of news on suicide and suicidal thoughts of youths, one could trace it down to a need not met at a particular time and might further trace it to a material possession not acquired.  With unhealthy competition on one shoulder and dissatisfaction on the other in this race, Nigerian youths have little or no savings for rainy days. Every dime earned is immediately spent on purchasing the latest gadgets so as to look good in the eyes of peers. The lack of delayed gratification has thrown many into a state of dilemma during rainy days such as loss of job.   To cut the snake by the head, the Nigerian entertainment industry should endeavor to promote more educational shows, celebrate achievements in relation to hard work and inventions. Little milestones reached should be hailed and not just those that have it all. Songs and movies that encourage contentment and legal means of becoming famous should be made popular. Effects of materialism should be curtailed in Nigerian youths before they become incorrigible.    Osanyinro Oluwaseun, a graduate of Microbiology and currently a master student of Public Health at the University of Ibadan runs a blog on WordPress deejemima.wordpress.com

Essays, Writers

“There is Money in the Entertainment Industry” by Aaron Livingstone.

/

My very good friend called me sometime in 2017, “Aaron, there’s a new system we can use to make money, YouTube.” She explained to me how Mark Angel and Emmanuella became celebrities and Millionaires all of a sudden through entertainment, uploading comedy skits to YouTube.  It was mind-blowing. It was phenomenal. Well, the typical me would have jumped at it immediately, but I had just had a session with my financial mentor, where he had told me to only build a business on passion and meeting a need. Quite interesting points, he added that as important as making a profit is, I must make sure I focus more on adding value to society.  I took these words to heart, so immediately my friend brought up the YouTube comedy business, as a means to make quick money, I called her bluff. It doesn’t blend with my core values.  That said, it is no doubt that the Nigerian entertainment industry is raking in billions in profit annually. The industry has undoubtedly made a lot of people millionaires in a very short time.  The entertainment industry comprising the music, movie, arts, and also comedy industry has been the major source of the Nation’s celebrities, as it is quite easy to build a strong fan base in Nigeria.  But there’s a question that’s begging to be asked, and that’s “what inspires our Entertainers?”   My analysis of the entertainment industry in recent years has shown that a good number of Nigerian youths seek to become financially independent, famous, and influential. They want to “blow” so to say. But really, there’s nothing wrong with seeking to make a profit out of a trade. It’s just fair that a labourer should receive wages for his labour.   What poses a challenge is when you place money above the values you should promote and see profit as your major driving force, neglecting the fact that as an entertainer, you have the propensity to hold your audience spellbound, you have a hypnotizing effect over them that could influence their beliefs, their thought patterns, their view of life and even their sense of purpose and their motivations.   Entertainers are the biggest influencers in today’s societies and maybe they’ve not noticed but the people believe in them much more than they believe in the government.  At the end of the just concluded Big Brother Naija show, some said and I quote, “I commend the supporters of Laycon, popularly called Icons as they’ve shown an unrelenting commitment to their love and trust in him and I would recommend they with immediate effect, set up a political party.”   That statement would seem like a joke gone too far, but looking at the underlying facts, one would say that entertainers can one day take over the government, but that’s not the focus today.  Now, seeing how the masses love their celebrities, I begin to wonder, do these entertainers care so much about their fan base?  I go back to my initial question, “What motivates, inspires, and drives our entertainers?”   Materialism could be seen as a self-seeking act, where a person raises the need for profit over adding value and promoting positive change and morals.  A quite interesting fact is that the Nigerian entertainment industry has become a hotspot of materialistic quests and self-seeking entertainers who only look out from themselves while they create their content.   There was a time where entertainers like Onyeka Owenu, Fela Kuti, and the likes would stand to promote good governance and unity.  There was a time when the entertainment industry was seen as a revolution and an avenue to stand against bad government policies and political misgivings.   Well, in today’s Nigeria, the entertainment industry is still a revolution, but a revolution that promotes greed, materialism, the love for money, sexual vices, and negative morals and speaks nothing about matters that concern their audience.  Our entertainers so much want to make us forget our sorrows but never want to use their platform as a means to reach out to the government.   It’s disheartening, nevertheless, we are proud of Celebrities. They are doing the nation proud.  Not less than 80% of Entertainers in Nigeria are below the age of 40. This strikes a note, letting us know that the Nigerian youths are in control of the entertainment industry.   This also stresses out the fact that our youths have been overly drawn to materialism. One wouldn’t point an accusing finger at them, because the situations in the country make one want to live differently, but if that’s the case then we are not ready for a better Nigeria.  So much can be done through the entertainment industry by the youths, with their energy but it would require a re-channelling of their drive, motivation, and purpose from Materialism to Value addition.   The Nigerian people need at this point people who can speak on their behalf, not just people that would help them drown their worries. The Nigerian populace needs people who won’t just see them as a target market to monetize skills, but to them, as a people, yearning for a change and the Entertainers take up the banner of change and neglects the drive for profit.  Materialism and materialistic drives will in no way make any positive impact and with such, our Entertainers would only keep on encouraging negative values and immoral vices in the youths.   The Nigerian youths see the entertainers as Hero’s and they let themselves be willfully influenced by them. So, the entertainers must live up to this standard.  Entertainers should not be driven by materialism.  They have the key to promoting positive values in Nigerian youths.  The Love of Money is the root of all evil!  Aaron Livingstone is a final year Industrial Chemistry student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. He has a great passion for gaining knowledge and loves to read. He wrote in via livingstoneaaron41@gmail.com      

Essays, Writers

The Relationship Between Nigerian Youths And Religion by Olu-Ojegbeje Lolade.

/

It was the French sociologist Émile Durkheim (1858–1917)  who defined religion as a “unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things”. Since the dawn of time, mankind’s search to for God and a connection with the divine has led man to religion. In human’s search for God, religion is one thing  humans at one point of their life of another will identify with. Almost everyone has one form of religion or another, through which they search for meaning and purpose. Religion is a very powerful, as it is a major determinant of the habits, attitudes and lifestyle of those who find themselves in it.   According to a report by The World Fact book by CIA, about 50% of Nigeria’s population consist of Muslims, 40% Christian and 10% practice traditional religion. Nigeria, being a very religious country has a greater percentage of her population as youths. It is a well-known fact that the youths play a major role in the development of a nation. It is therefore important to examine Nigeria from the standpoint of her youths and religion, as well as how they interact.   First, it is important to note that majority of Nigerians were born into homes where their parents practice one form of religion or another. Many were probably christened according to the dictates of their parents’ religion. It then became very easy for many to accept religion as a part of their lives, as they have been introduced to religion since birth.  Consciously, or unconsciously, religion became a force in the formation of their perception about life.   Religion seems to exert a powerful force in defining the lives and attitudes of youths. For most Nigerian youths, religion is a major determinant in their the choice of clothes, food, social clubs, marriage partners, sexuality, lifestyle and general outlook towards life.     Moreover, religion in a way ensures the preservation of certain traditional values.  While defining the lifestyle of youths, it does ensure they are kept in constant check through its doctrines. The prescriptive nature of many religion makes this possible. Most religions dictate what is expected of their faithful and how they should conduct themselves. Most religions encourage their faithful to practice love, empathy, purity forgiveness and piety. A major positive impact of religion on youths is in the preservation of these values, while encouraging them to become better individuals.  Nigeria, being a multi ethnic country with people from divers religious backgrounds, religion can be a powerful tool in the integration or separation of these people. Youths play a huge role in the integration or separation of people with different religious background like Nigeria. Religious tolerance and religious violence should be considered here. Overtime, youths have been used as tools to either foster unity or prevent it in religion.   Religious Tolerance  Religious tolerance simply means respect for people’s faith and belief, while allowing them practice what they believe. Religion is believed to be one of the most sensitive issues that may cause conflicts in a  society as it involves human belief and faith. For these conflicts to be prevented, there is a need for respect towards other people and their religious beliefs. When youths actively practice religious tolerance, religious crises can be prevented.  Religious Violence  Religious violence is majorly caused by religious intolerance. When the respect for other peoples religious beliefs is absent, there is bound to be violence. The fact that religion is based on people’s faith and beliefs opens it up as an avenue to turn people against each other. More often than not, youths have been used as a tool for religious violence, with several ethnic clashes following after. Very many Nigerian youths express their disregard for other religions and even go on to disrespect people who have a different religious view. It is worthy to note that Nigeria is sinking into a terrible religious crises. Youths have a huge role to play in  managing this.   Nigerian youths must play their parts as the interface between the Nigerian society and their various religious beliefs. Respecting one another’s religion and refusing to be used as tools to perpetuate religious violence are very important things Nigerian youths must take very seriously.   They can engage in the creation of awareness on the subject of  religious violence and how to prevent it.  Having established that the interaction between Nigerian youths and religion affects the Nigerian society, it is important to note that a positive interaction will bring a positive development, while a negative interaction will bring a negative development. However, the difference lies in the way the Nigerian youths choose to interact with religion.     REFERENCES  https://theunboundedspirit.com/the-negative-effects-of-religion-on-society/  https://youthandreligion.nd.edu/related-resources/preliminary-research-findings/sociologists-find-that-religious-teens-are-more-positive-about-life/  OmosadeAwolalauReligious Education and Nigerian Youth ( Beverly Hills Calf, Sage Publications, 1969)  Ojegbeje Lolade wrote in via lollydel2016@gmail.com   

Essays, Writers

Who Do You Serve? by Osifo Daniel.

/

Religion has played a big part as a means of identification for Nigerians. It is an extensive thread, woven deep into the fabrics of the Nigerian culture, and one cannot go without the other. Unfortunately it has formed a unique divide between the Nigerian people. A Bini Muslim, very unlikely. An Ibo Muslim, I personally have not seen one, but then again I’ve only lived two decades in this country. An Hausa traditionalist, do the Hausa’s even practice any form of ritualism? I think I can safely say less than ten percent do. These are just a few examples of the dilemma that we have found ourselves in. Different religions has found a way to cement itself into the various demographics of the Nigerian society. To the South, West and Eastern parts of Nigeria, form the majority of regions that practice the Christian doctrines. While to the North and again Western part of Nigeria form the majority for the Islamic doctrine. Ironically both religion forced on us by the iron hands of the western Invaders, who at first came baring gifts. Leaving us to abandon our roots and our old religion, our ritualism and polytheistic practices. Although, the western religion has taken a big chunk out of our old traditions and ways of worship, the tides are changing. The advancement of society and technology. The constant improvement of technology has left the Nigerian youths pondering. Further expanding their minds and leaving them to ask the thousand years old question, ”Does God exist?”. This question continues to grow everyday, creating various debate and school of thoughts. The old days of blind followership is gradually coming to an end. Days where we were told that, there is an almighty and powerful God, who created us in his own image and likeness. Who loves his creation and has given them everything and in return ask only for their love and worship. But I don’t believe it’s as simple as that. With so much suffering and pain in the world today, if the almighty God, who loves his children dearly, can take it away, why is the world still broken. In as much as he could command a word and it comes to pass, why hasn’t he commanded the pains of this world away. But then again, it’s not that simple, or so we are led to believe. In a world full of identity crisis. Where people know little to nothing about their heritage, native culture or traditional practices, I believe Nigeria and Nigerians are suffering a great deal. We all indulge in the practices and norms of the western man, leaving us to act hostile towards our own religion. The white man came and told us our religion is wrong, unpure and fetish. Holding a Bible in one hand and a gun behind their backs, and enforcing their own religion on us, but let me tell u this ‘all religion started as an idea’. They came to our lands, claiming our ways of life was barbaric, but yet they absconded with our beautiful art works. So why then should we accept their religion, is ours not good enough?. They kill and slaughter innocent black men everyday, and with hate still in their heart for men of color, they pray to their almighty God. Who they claim created us in one image and likeness, but even they don’t believe that, enforcing different forms of segregation on men of color, and believing in white supremacy, hypocrisy at it’s best. Who is to say Jesus wasn’t black, they created a white image for us because that’s what they wanted us to see. But the times are coming, when the eyes of Nigerian youths would be open and they would be able to see the church as the profiteering ground that it is. The richest pastor in Nigeria, has an estimated net worth of over, one hundred and fifty million US dollars, I’ll leave you to convert it to naira, the numbers are completely unreal. Making him one the richest pastors in the world, and still yet there are members of his congregation who can’t afford to pay the tuition fees for his prestigious tertiary institution. Where did our humanity go, what does Christianity preach. It is truly sad that majority of the Nigerian youths eyes are still closed to this reality. I thought the Christian doctrine was about love and peace, but all I see is hate and conflict. Hate between our fellow men. Hate between our fellow Nigerians, where is this love that religion preaches. But after all said, i have hope. Hope, that the direction of mental awareness social media platforms are creating would one day put an end to this illusion. If there is a god, I hope he is watching us, because I am. I am only watching because that is the sane thing to do in a country like ours. Watch and advocate silently and subtly draw their attention to the reality, so as to avoid and form of bigotry altercation. Religion is a big part of our culture, but it has been corrupted by the greed of men. Who’s only aim is to profit rather than serve humanity. All I see now is a tumor, growing silently in the midst of believers and unbelievers. The million dollar question now is, who do you serve?… Osifo Daniel wrote in via danitoosi@gmail.com

Blog, Essays

To reduce the political manipulation of ‘lazy youths’.

/

This world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease.~ Robert Kennedy. Recently many of us were outraged because President Muhammadu Buhari said that a lot of Nigerian youths are illiterate and unwilling to work. The outpouring of emotion that followed the news was typical, Buhari is this and that, we must vote him out in 2019, and so on and so forth. It was so intense that some respected and usually decorous people I know were inflamed enough in that spontaneous paroxysm to invoke the ultimate prize upon the president. What a shame! Did the President lie? Of course not, we know the truth, we discuss it daily but some will always find a fault with it once Buhari says so. I have heard valid arguments about the statement being inauspicious given the platform. A President is supposed to market his citizens at any given opportunity, especially on the international stage. I am a hundred percent in agreement with this school of thought but I also find it disturbing that the President’s mention of a planned $15 billion investment by Shell in the country was completely submerged by the screaming headlines which precipitated the viral catchphrase of ‘lazy Nigerian youths’. We have become accustomed to lying politicians who say black in a way that it appears like white, we are used to men and women that dish out well-rehearsed sound bites that avoid the core issues. So when a straight talker says the truth as it is we struggle with it. A friend succinctly put it this way: “we are a nation of hypocrites and we also say this daily, we agree it is true but not a few will still quarrel with it when Buhari says it”. However, this piece is not to defend the President, I ‘ll rather focus on why we must continue to dissect the mindset of politicians intuitively in order to better understand the motive behind their often exploitative proclamations and how government can lift the youth from laziness. For this essay, the following two examples will suffice in illustrating the manipulation of the masses by Nigerian politicians. On March 23, 2000, an unfortunate man named Baba Bello Karegarka Jangedi became the first victim of Sharia law in an otherwise secular democratic nation when he was amputated in Zamfara State for stealing a cow. Before then Sharia was not new in Northern Nigeria, as a matter of fact since Dan Fodio Jihadists militarily conquered large parts of the North in the early 19th century, the spread of Islamic religion included the tenets of Sharia law which though widely imbibed remained a passive penal system. However, the difference this time was that the propagator, a certain Sani Yerima, had an agenda of pushing through religious legitimacy to achieve his political ambition. Prior to this, he had a limited history of religious activity and none of extremism. His ambition to govern Zamfara state was on the platform of the All Peoples Party (APP) a secular political party. But having identified the disenchantment among a largely uneducated and unemployed populace who were fed up with the failure of the political elite he knew he could exploit the opportunity to his advantage. As it were, against the massive federal arsenal at the disposal of the then National Security Adviser General Aliyu Mohammed, little known Ahmed Sani Yerima was elected as the governor of Zamfara state. He went on to fulfill his campaign promise and at the Sharia declaration ceremony in a packed square in the state capital of Gusau Yerima declared that “Without sharia, Islamic faith is valueless,” as thousands of people cheered on the streets. Today, Yerima is a serving Senator representing Zamfara west and the Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate. Since he left Gusau for Abuja he has been dogged by several controversies ranging from corruption to pedophilia. His son reportedly spent thousands of dollars in a lavish wedding and while he will never subject himself to trial in the Sharia court he set up, Baba Bello Karegarka will be one-armed for the rest of his life. Here is a second example. In March 2013, as the build-up to the 2015 general elections was gathering momentum, a certain Senator alleged that 83% of indigenous oil blocks in Nigeria are owned by Northerners, insinuating therein that the rising opposition against President Goodluck Jonathan then could somewhat be traced to this assertion as OPLs and OMLs were due for renewal soon after the elections. He had stated thus: “The oil is produced in the Niger Delta yet it is the people of the North East and the North West and a little of the North Central, almost nothing of the South West and the South East, that are the persons owning and controlling these oil blocks. Almost nothing for the South South, Niger Delta oil-producing areas”. It was not a new allegation, over the years that had been the common hysterical and tendentious narrative designed to mislead the public, particularly the Niger Delta youths who perceive Nigeria’s oil wealth as their sole property of which they have been deprived of the benefits over the years. Again, the difference this time around was that a serving Senator boldly made the claim, and in the hallowed red chamber for that matter. The gullible swallowed this hook, line, and sinker. They went to town again shouting EXTRA! EXTRA!! read all about it and in the usual manner of sharing without caring the story spread like wildfire consuming pedestrians with shallow knowledge and deepening the existing ethnic animosity further. However, the bubble burst when a thorough investigative report by Olusegun Adeniyi exposed the Senator’s devious lie as his list did not only leave out numerous oil blocks awarded over the years to indigenous companies but it also excluded

Blog, Resources

37 career openings for young Nigerians at the UN.

/

There are 37 career openings for young Nigerians under the United Nations bureaucracy. The UN deputy secretary-general, Amina Mohammed revealed this at a Cultural Night organized by Nigerians working at the United Nations Systems in New York. The openings are available through the Junior Professional Officers’ (JPO) Programme, including internships for young graduates. In her speech, Amina Mohammed urged older Nigerians to create opportunities for the younger ones. Stressing the need for the youths to replace the aging Nigerian employees at the UN system she said: “Whenever there are opportunities, try and pave the way for the young ones; you are getting old and we want to see the young ones in the system. “We need to give the youth the opportunity because if we don’t give them the opportunities, they can easily fall victims of crimes,” she said. “Home really does need us; there are leaders and we are trying with the professionals that we see in the United Nations. “The work we need to do is not just to the world but also to remember that at the root of all that, you are only as good as where you come from. “And it’s really important that we remember, with what we do here, what we can get back home, that we can encourage those at home, and inspire them. “It’s not just what we do for the world.  Can’t we take that expertise back home?” she asked. For long Nigeria has abandoned this available opportunity to sponsor its youth for UN careers through the JPO which is a government-sponsored programme for young people to grow their career at the UN. It has 37 positions for Nigeria – one for each of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory. The programme provides young professionals with hands-on experience and is one of the best ways to gain entry-level jobs within the UN system. You can read more about how to join the JPO programme here and please share the good news.    

Join our essay competition.

This will close in 13 seconds

Solverwp- WordPress Theme and Plugin

Scroll to Top