Fears For Our Children’s Future

 By Ayo Oyoze Baje

The most immediate source of disconnect between Nigeria’s wealth and poverty is a failure of government at the federal, state and local levels” – Hillary Clinton (2009) 

The poem titled, ‘Our Children’s Anthem’, was written by yours truly and published by the Nigerian Herald back in 1988, sincere concern was raised over the quality of life of the upcoming generations of Nigerians, if the political leadership did not get it right, as a t that time. 

Part of the poem reads thus:

“We are the early earthworms

that tilled the farmer’s gardens

now being crushed by the hunter’s hooves.

We are the emergents in the dark.

Is it too much to ask  

for a slice of the smiling sun

and few drops of God’s tears of joy

for growth against tomorrow’s sun?” 

The focus then was on instituting a pro-people governance structure that would lead to their high Human Development Index (HDI) to easily access nutritious and wholesome food, safe drinking water, quality education and healthcare delivery. The clarion call was on having in place a leadership that would pull millions of the citizens from the pit of poverty, instead of impoverishing them with the sudden removal of fuel subsidy in the absence of impactful palliatives, and going further with hikes in electricity tariff, Value Added Tax (VAT) under an inclement manufacturing environment. 

Unfortunately, the spin-off effects are the harsh, socio-economic indices currently on ground. What with an inflation rate of 34.19%, a food inflation of over 40%, a poverty rate that has soared from 27% in 1980 to 40.7% in 2024 all leading to cause for serious concern. In fact, according to the World Food Program (WFP) 26.5 million citizens currently stew in acute hunger at a time of mass job losses, and yet mounting debt profiles-both local and foreign-at the state and federal government levels. Sadly, the current crop of policy makers and dictators of our common destiny keep living large amidst the mass hardship. So, if the poor governance paradigm persists where is the hope for a brighter future for our children? That is one’s source of serious concern. 

Perhaps, it has become expedient for our leaders to learn lessons from some of our past patriots. For instance, one Prof. Eyo Ita (of blessed memory), an Efik-born educationist returned to Nigeria from the United States in 1933 to make a difference. That was after bagging two masters’ degrees and a doctorate degree in Philosophy. Concerned about the future generation of Nigerians he saw to actualizing the idea of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM). His brilliant vision was to breed young Nigerians on the marching mandate of Health, Economy, Beauty, Knowledge, Patriotism and Religion. 

So impactful the project was that it soon influenced the setting up of the Lagos Youth Movement led by Dr. J.C. Vaughan. Other members included Ernest Okoli, Samuel Akinsanya and H.O. Davies. Their cardinal objectives were hinged on seeking for inter-tribal harmony, nationalism and selfless service. As fate would have it these are the vital ingredients currently lacking in our body polity. 

But back then the programs saw to the training of the junior cadre of medical doctors, engineers and teachers, obviously in preparation for the young Nigerians who would eventually take over leadership positions from the colonialists. In fact, the influence was such that it acted as a catalyst for national cohesion that saw to the return of the Great Zik of Africa, Dr. Nnamidi Azikiwe from Ghana. The rest, as they say is history. 

But how would these great nationalists feel if it was possible to bring them back to life to witness the sad and sordid state of the nation the successive, self-serving leaders have turned our dear country, Nigeria to? The answer should be patently obvious to all discerning minds. 

Instead of blaming our youths for the escalating wave of sundry crimes such as cybercrime, Boko Haram terrorism, banditry, ritual murder, rape and the kidnapping for ransom spree, the President Ahmed Tinubu-led government should do the needful by looking at their root causes. And of course, how to frontally tackle them. 

That brings to the front burner the all-important questions: Do the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against humanity come from Mars or Jupiter? Do they not come from some homes, have parents, teachers, pastors and Imams? But there is more to do to find lasting solutions to the screaming storms of youth restiveness. That takes us back to the last part of the poem, “Our Children’s Anthem”. This is the piece of admonition. 

“You irokos of our fruitful forest

forget not to learn from Mother Nature;

of the spires that support the saplings,

the cows that befriend the egrets,

and the ants on the elephant’s back.” 

To get the future of our children right therefore, the governments- at the local, state and federal levels must perform their primary duties as the father-figure; to protect us all from all forms of insecurity and provide for our welfare. That is expressly as enshrined in Section 14 Sub-section (2) (b) of the 1999 constitution, as amended.

While the parents should provide the moral compass to guide their children on the brighter paths forward, the political leaders should ask themselves the significant question: “What are my worthy legacies, and what indeed will I be remembered for when my days are done?”.

Certainly, not leaving a state of insecurity, joblessness, fraudulent elections won by might – is – right and huge debts for generations yet unborn to pay! 

*Baje is the president of Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria (GPAAN)