Expectations of Nigerian Youths, Post 2019, Elections by Tolorunse Moyosore Joseph

EXPECTATIONS OF NIGERIAN YOUTHS: POST ELECTION 2019

By; Tolorunse Moyosoreoluwa Joseph

   Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with more than 180 million people living here. It is the 12th largest producer of crude oil in the world (averaging 2,525,000 barrels per-day) and the 8th largest exporter. Nigeria has the 10th largest proven reserves of petroleum worldwide. Despite all this aforementioned qualities, it has failed to retain the confidence of her governance in the minds of her youths.
   With the 2019 general election knocking on the door, Nigerian youths are full of expectations and are hoping that this would be the government of their dream. Over the years, securing a job has been a major challenge for the youths making life a turmoil for them. Although, the N-power scheme which was introduced by the PMB led administration with the aim of empowering the youths has barely reduced the rate of unemployment in the country as thousands of graduates keep storming the labour market for jobs but ending with none.
   It is no more news that the security aspect of the country has been a great flop; leaving thousands of lives at the mercies of Boko-Haram and the Fulani Herdsman. If security of lives and properties are not guaranteed in a country, how will the country progress or move forward? Abduction and kidnapping is now the watchword of the country as even foreign investors are now threatened by the security and economic state of the country which makes it difficult for them to take the risk of investing into the economy of the country.
  Health is wealth they say, about 80,000 Nigerians die of cancer annually and over 100,000 are diagnosed with cancer yearly. More people are dying of cancer in Nigeria because cancer and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are not given priority in the country’s budget. The increasing rate of HIV/AIDS in the country is quite alarming as Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world. It’s so disheartening and appalling that there are many people living with this virus and are unaware of their status just because the country has failed in its responsibility of providing more recommended number of HIV testing and counselling sites for the citizens. Also, Nigeria has the fourth largest tuberculosis epidemic in the world making it a deep concern for people living with HIV and TB co-infection.
  Finally, the state of the country can only improve if there’s a fair and transparent government. A government filled with people of integrity and patriotic fellows who are ready to sacrifice their last drop of blood for the advancement of the nation. If we dont develop our youths and schools we would be opening more prison soon.

Tolorunse Moyosoreoluwa Joseph is an avid writer serving in Kwara State, his also a member Creative Writing SAED, NYSC.