Youth Makes a Nation

YOUTH BULIDS A NATION

Joe E. Lewis said:

“You are young only once, and if you work it right, once is enough”.

The term - nation building - is usually used to refer to a constructive process of engaging all citizens in building social cohesion, economic prosperity and political stability in an inclusive and democratic way. It is important to note that the priceless resource of any country is its human resource. There is no other resource that matches the human being, because mankind is the foundation or the corner stone of any development and civilization. Out of the human intellect a nation is built. This can be confirmed by the fact that many countries are able to attain steady growth and development with limited natural resources through the intelligence of their people and the labor force. Young people are a crucial segment of a nation’s development. Their contribution therefore is highly needed. Young people are social actors of change and as the saying goes

"Youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also the partners of today. ’’
As scholars have stated, "time is not evaluated by what has been harvested, but what has been planted". The government and society at large have equal responsibility to provide the youth with suitable grounds and thereby bringing about a matured and responsible population for the coming generation to lead a better life. As such the establishment of the a Department of State for Youth, the development of a comprehensive National Youth Policy, the establishment of National Youth Service Scheme,

Meanwhile, it is good to have these structures in place but if the youths do not make the best use of them no beneficial result will be realized. As young people we must be ready and willing to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way. It’s important to note that we can’t all work in offices; therefore some of us would have to train ourselves to be welders, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, craftsmen, farmers and so on. It’s wise to note that traveling to Europe does not serve as a solution for youths as others might take it for granted. Much more by illegal means, which has made this country, lost a lot of able-bodied men over the past few years. No foreign aid would develop this country for us; we must therefore work to develop our nation and ourselves by engaging in the production sector of our economy like agriculture. I must therefore stress that if this country is to develop and nation is to be built then the youth must realize their role and responsibility in this regard and work hard to stand among the developed and leading nations of the world.

Robert Shaffer once said:

“We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled but as candles to be lit.”