Today’s marks the 15th anniversary of the IYD at the global sphere, but for many of us in Nigeria, this is our first celebration and indeed it calls for great joy and an in-depth examination.
It’s a moment of joy because it is a day in which we have to celebrate ourselves, our uniqueness, our dynamism and the indispensable role we play in society. It is a day of examination, because it gives us the opportunity to evaluate how well we are participating in the affairs of our society and how much more we can and should do.
This year’s theme “Youth civil engagement” is much relevant in developing countries like Nigeria. In Nigeria the culture in a way demeans the role of the youth, right from the home where the child’s views are not sought to the secondary and tertiary levels of education the youth is seen as someone inexperienced and limited. It is supported by a popular proverb which says that “what an old man sees sitting down a young person can’t see it even if he stands on things no matter how high.
Today, in union with the whole world my school did organise an activity to discuss the youth and I participated. The following are bullet points which can serve as food for thought:
- Globalised citizenship: We are in the era of global citizenship, in which although citizens of a particular country we are also citizens of the whole world and as such we have to be actively involved in the global activities. In relation to this, the words of Martin Luther King are very relevant. “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere”.
- Self-Discovery: We also need to discover ourselves. The youth era is a time of talent, vigour, creativity, enormous strength, entrepreneurship and vitality and we have to use these features to effect change.
- Courage: We also have to be fearless, daring and selfless. Coincidently Pope Francis also challenges us on this too. While addressing the youths on the 10th of this month, he said “a youth without courage is in insipid youth, he is an old youth”.
The world awaits us; let us not succumb to the spirit of indifference or apathy. With this we would effectively promote the Gospel of Life.
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