The younger generation and obsession with funfair

SOMETIME ago, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, described himself as a member of “a wasted generation.” In my view, however, if we the younger generation of Nigerians do not get our acts together, our generation would turn out to be worse than the old generation leading Nigeria currently.

I am beginning to see why members of the old generation don’t involve the nation’s youths in the decision making of today, at the level of the family, which is the smallest unit of the society, and in the country at large.

Obviously, members of the older generation are the major shareholders in most of the business organisations in Nigeria. The truth is that every business executive invests their money where it will bring good returns.

Most Nigerian youths invest hours in funfair—dancing competitions, games, choreography, talent hunts, among others and this has actually made the nation’s business executives to make sure that the companies in which they have stakes continue to sponsor funfairs and programmes relating to mere entertainment, with the hope that this will occupy the minds of the youths and distract them from thinking about taking their rightful places in the corridor of power. This is one reason Nigeria’s younger generation may not be taking over the mantle of leadership anytime soon.

Recently, a youth group was seeking sponsorship from a multinational organisation in Nigeria and it got a negative response. The multinational organisation made members of the youth group to understand that it would not sponsor anything serious. It said: “If it has nothing to do with funfair, we don’t show interest, as the majority of Nigerian youths may not patronise it. They are our market and target audience.’’

How can Nigeria move forward when those expected to demand for good governance and take up leadership positions are busy with uneducative, immoral programmes? They don’t have the slightest interest in programmes like The Debaters that showcase great talents like Damilola Oluwatoyinbo, programmes that make our young ones to develop public speaking skills.

Where is The Apprentice, a programme that teaches how to be entrepreneur, or The Dragon’s Den that inspires aspiring entrepreneurs? They are nowhere, in terms of popularity, because they are serious programmes that provoke the thinking of youths and enable them to make use of their brains to tackle poverty and restore Nigeria back on the global map.

Passionately, I implore our youths, as potential leaders, to put a limit to entertainment.

Gloria Oloche

Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State.