VOICE UNHEARD 2 (Graphite and Charcoal pencils on paper) 2019
The fact that there are many young people leading big and small reforms in various aspects of daily life could make it seem like protest activism is a thing of the past .
After all, young people are driving legal reform on gender and youth inclusion in politics with the Gender and Equal Opportunity and Not Too Young to Run bills or promoting entrepreneurs and leading technological advancements in business and governance like BudgIT — organising around sexual violence and mass evictions and ensuring issues stay in the media .
For these and other reasons , it might seem unfair to ask the youths to do more but there are a few reasons why their voices should be loudest about what needs to improve.
The first is that they are naturals — or should be . They are insulated by their innocence of the things their eyes have not yet seen .
This should make them more fearless than the rest of us.
The second is that the their voices might guilt more of us into recognising our complicity in what Nigeria currently is and into making the right , but difficult decisions that need to be made .
And finally, it is precisely youth activism and organising to influence policy and societal norms that will help young people prepare for leadership and gain the confidence they need to push for the reforms that are needed to move Nigeria forward .
We are all worse off for the silence of the youths and as a society, at home, schools, work and through civil society we need to encourage young people to speak up and support them when they do.
We must equip them with the tools they need to organise effectively and help build their confidence and trust in one another. Finally , it is our duty to ensure that the history of the country is never forgotten and the role of those who have brought us where we are today is never glossed over or romanticised .
Some are hankering for the good old days , forgetting that for temporary ease , we bought a lasting pain and only the selfless voices of the young will set us free .
For these and other reasons , it might seem unfair to ask the youths to do more but there are a few reasons why their voices should be loudest about what needs to improve.
The first is that they are naturals — or should be . They are insulated by their innocence of the things their eyes have not yet seen .
This should make them more fearless than the rest of us.
The second is that the their voices might guilt more of us into recognising our complicity in what Nigeria currently is and into making the right , but difficult decisions that need to be made .
And finally, it is precisely youth activism and organising to influence policy and societal norms that will help young people prepare for leadership and gain the confidence they need to push for the reforms that are needed to move Nigeria forward .
We are all worse off for the silence of the youths and as a society, at home, schools, work and through civil society we need to encourage young people to speak up and support them when they do.
We must equip them with the tools they need to organise effectively and help build their confidence and trust in one another. Finally , it is our duty to ensure that the history of the country is never forgotten and the role of those who have brought us where we are today is never glossed over or romanticised .
Some are hankering for the good old days , forgetting that for temporary ease , we bought a lasting pain and only the selfless voices of the young will set us free .
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