…No youth, no future for our race – ActionAid
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has charged leaders to ensure that youth in the north-east are not left behind in key economic, political and governance decisions in the region.
Addressing journalists at the third edition of the North-East Youth in Crisis Conference held in Maiduguri, UNOCHA Localization Advisor Christopher Agutu called for a collaborative approach between government and youth to enable productive dialogue.
According to him, the Nigerian youth population offers advantages which if harnessed will enhance self-reliance and national development.
He said, “In the North East, one thing we feel needs to be addressed is that the youth are missing at the discussion table. They are not sitting at the table where people are discussing and taking decisions. They need to be taken along, understand what the government expects from them and also make the government and other stakeholders understand what they need.”
“When we look at the technology that exists and you look at the number of youth in Nigeria and across Africa, we have about 103 million teenagers in Nigeria. They are the biggest users of these modern technologies, whether on social media platforms or anywhere else. The youth can benefit from their skills by making sure that we have the understanding of how they can use those technologies to benefit themselves.
“The fact is that they need support and guidance in terms of getting government assistance and introducing them to people who can use the skills for them.”
Also read: Quora partners with UN to strengthen health sector
However, he called on youth to engage in constructive advocacy that is based on respect and critical reasoning.
“Advocacy is not about physically fighting, or rather this is the table you should sit at for me. Rather, it is about connecting, sharing your ideas with those who are already at the table so that they understand what your needs are, what your advocacy efforts will do,” he said.
He emphasized that “We need to engage with respect. Being blunt or overly aggressive is not the best way to advocate, but present your ideas and make them convey your perspective. For example, highlight how your plans will contribute to nation building”.
“Share ideas that people can understand. And when you're talking to people on the other side too, be respectful in terms of engagement. Don't just say this is my right, they have a right too. So, we need to be creative and strategic in terms of engagement”, he advised
Christopher cautioned youths against denying themselves access to opportunities and said every advocacy must be followed with action
“The second thing is that it is not just for them to come out and say they want income or employment and then go back home. As a youth, you should apply for a job. Don't just make noise from home and when they say come, you will be nowhere to be found. In fact, many times it happens, you will not be invited to certain places, you just have to go. Get yourself there. Don't wait until the governor calls you”, he stressed. Said.
Also speaking, David Hubba, ActionAid's Humanitarian Residents Program Specialist in Nigeria, explained that the aim of the conference was to raise awareness of the needs of involving youth from the North-East in the humanitarian landscape of the region.
“At ActionAid, we are very concerned about how young people are engaging, and what they are doing.
He said, “The future of the world is locked in the lives of young people. If we don't organize them or support them, it simply means there is no future for our race.”
