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Youth 1 is said to be the better-behaved group of the Nigerian youth population who have gone through proper education and acquired skills. They are also beneficiaries of most of the available opportunities in the country due to their exposure, education and privilege. They are therefore model youths often recognised and accepted by society. The 2nd group, tagged as Youth 2, are those constantly referred to as hoodlums, miscreants, thugs and touts – who have lesser education, skill and exposure. They have to make-do with leftover opportunities which life and bad governance has dealt with them. They have also allowed themselves to become instruments and tools of violence/mischief in the hands of the politicians and the ruling class. There is also an unnamed 3rd category – the “Youth 3” – which reality cuts between Youth 1 and Youth 2. This group are yet to properly decide which side of the two to belong. They are still struggling with the few unfitting opportunities which life deals with them. The purpose of the categorisation is not to create further divisions in the existing gaps between these two groups of youth, but instead to close it in. In the course of the #EndSARS protests, the attributes of the divergent dreams of these youth groups became vivid for about the first time in Nigeria’s protest history. The extent of how problematic this trend is was also revealed to thinkers and analysts. After the largely peaceful and non-violent protests embarked upon by the #EndSARS protesters since October 7, the destruction and lootings which ensued after the announcement of the curfew in Lagos were largely attributed to youths generally. Whereas the violence was the handiwork of Youth 2 who are hungry, angry and frustrated with the system. It was also alleged that some of the rampaging youths who looted private shops and burned public buildings were sponsored by politicians ethnic bigots who are determined to cause further confusion in the polity. Others have further allegedly postulated that the violence was sponsored so that it would be blamed on the peaceful #EndSARS protests and give it a bad name.
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Notwithstanding all of these categorisations, one common factor stands out to bind together these classes of youth – the fact that they have a dream of a Nigeria that will be better for them and their loved ones remains constant. No matter how different their methods are, and no matter how shortchanged their aspirations may seem, there is a binding factor. Whether it Youth 1 or Youth 2 or the other category caught in the middle, their dreams and aspirations as upright citizens, who are active participants in the quest for national progress, must align. While many in the category of Youth 1 often express their disappointment that a lot of Youth 2 are just wasting away as they grow to even become irresponsible adults with regret-filled life. Some others in the category of Youth 1 (the do-wells) lament that Youth 2 (never-do-wells/bad eggs) are rapidly becoming a threat to their safety. The entirety of the Nigerian youth populace should, therefore, be reminded that this is the time and opportunity to bridge the gap between the dreams, aspirations and opportunities available for all Nigerian youths. Thus, education is cardinal. It is not just by educating the Youth 2 camp about how lovely the Youth 1 category is that will win them over, but by also constantly show of empathy that demonstrates that they have the best interest of Youth 2 at heart and by co-opting them in the collective plans. This is the first and easiest step to begin the merger of the wide chasm between Youth 1 and Youth, and making Nigeria the place of actualising our collective dreams once again. Featured Image Source: Time Magazine
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