LACK OF YOUTH ENGAGEMENT GIVES RISE TO CRIMES IN KINNUPE.
By Mohammed Aliyu Mairubutu.
Three decades ago, in KinNupe, people were building their houses without fences and sleeping in their rooms with two eyes closed, without fear of thieves. Every Nooks and crannies of the land were peaceful and free from social vices.
At that time, Nupe people were known for their love for culture and tradition, peace, and security. Youths were identified for their hardworking–Love for farming and education are flags of their identity.
There were no extensive cases of snatching of motorcycles and stealing of mobile phones. Sitting without doing anything. Sycophancy and thuggery were none of their profession.
However, today, there is no passion for education or any kind of hand work due to little or no motivation from families elders, community, and government leaders.
No motivation! Buildings of chambers here and there every day. Youths don’t bother anymore about schooling or acquiring any skills because there are no disciplines or incentives from families and societies.
They preferred sitting or sleeping rather than schooling or learning. They chose to be cyber fraudsters instead computer engineers.
Bitterly, Things are not the same as before. Poor engagement of the youths has changed the peaceful atmospheric condition of the kingdom.
Not anymore, Parents don’t take good care of their children and care to know the source of their wealth and dealings because they want to take responsibility–Their children are using big phones, riding motorcycles or vehicles, and wearing expensive clothes without working, and nobody bothers to ask or caution them.
Leaders in the government are not helping the situation also. Instead of sponsoring youths to school, making jobs available for them, or empowering them in terms of skill acquisition or entrepreneurship, they preferred to transform them into political thugs and sycophants for their selfishness.
Let me pause and I ask you, do you think you will have happiness when youths in your area are not well engaged? I will give you time to answer that.
All I know, something has to be done before we completely lost the glory.
Leaders shouldn’t just open their eyes and fold their hands without engaging youths in our land. Nobody will be safe when the environment is entirely polluted. we have to join hands to clean out the land.
No society will grow in the presence of unengaged youths. Whereas, any society which fails to empower the youth, will not be free from crimes and instability.
We must know, leaving youths sitting at home without doing anything is a great threat to the peace of the family and setbacks to the development of the land.
Youths need special attention in terms of guidance and provision from the family and society because they are the backbone of every family and the bedrock of every nation.
The most important thing parent shouldn’t feed children without engagement. When you Feed your children without schooling and skills training, they will grow up to disturb people in society and ask you for money even if you are old or retired. Meanwhile, it will also create the means of selling off the family property and stealing from the neighborhood.
Government and parents may have good ways to get youths engaged but guiding and empowering them is the best.
To avoid breaking, they have to bend the fish when it’s still fresh. It’s easier to teach a young person something than to try and change an adult’s long-established behavior or thought processes.
They can shape their outlook, beliefs, and values to help them to become well-rounded individuals.
Influencing them in developing character traits or skills will help them to become self-independent.
Though, Education is a main aspect of youth engagement. Government should provide affordable and quality education that will provide youths with critical thinking, and analytical skills, and impacts values such as honesty, respect, Handworkdiligence, and empathy.
Introducing youths to various activities and handwork such as tailoring and building will block ways of them committing or involving in any crimes.
Sports and other creative or physical activities will also provide them with an avenue for self-expression, self-reliance, and self-esteem, and also promote teamwork and the benefits of healthy physical and mental habits.
All In all, if we want a crime-free society, we have to start by providing a nurturing environment at home or in society. Youth must be given a safe space where they will be loved, cared for, respected, and valued.
Written By Mohammed Aliyu Mairubutu
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