Should we continue looking up to “THEM” for our Future?

 

Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do– St Pope John XXIII

Revd. Fr. Samuel Udogbo, C.S.Sp

Fr. Samuel Udogbo, C.S.Sp. Holy Ghost Missionary College Kimmage Manor, Dublin Republic of Ireland.

Email: udogbosamuel@gmail.com

 

Introduction

It is not a novel insight that we now live in a world that amasses wealth of a kind that none of us would have imagined a century or two ago. There have been remarkable changes in all spheres of life where nations speak of democratic dividends; where nations around the globe pride in their capacity to work with other nations in fields of trade and commerce- the global North countries speaking in terms of allies sharing ideas and ideals. However, the debates on the concepts of human rights, political liberty and inequalities, ethnic and sectional marginalisation, oppression and religious wars as well as violent extremism seem to have dominantly occupied the world stage more than the talks on sweet democratic feedbacks. Ken Saro-Wiwa summarised this as “internal colonialism.” Undeniably, the unprecedented scale of deprivation, destitution and oppression has been much more the prevailing rhetoric.

It is embarrassing that in most countries on our beloved continent- Africa, the discussions are still around the basic human needs- widespread hunger, pervasive and endemic poverty. The problem is huge and for Amartya Sen, individual agency is central to our overcoming these problems. That is, the capacity of individuals to act independently as regards making their own free choice. Instead of focusing on the narrower views of identifying development with the growth of Gross National Product (GNP) or rise in personal income, he argues it is about the real freedom that people enjoy. The freedom that considers social and economic arrangement- education and healthcare, as well as people’s political and civil rights, which is the liberty to participate in public discussion and scrutiny. In the context that I write, and for what speaks to my audience, our development must be the absence of systematic social deprivation, poverty and tyranny, poor economic policies, neglect of public facilities and the brutal repressive State activities. Surely, we know what is to be done but have waited for ages with no sign that the structures of our government would appreciate the capacity of our people in order to achieve the development which we so desire. Should we continue looking up to them for our future or engage with the unimaginable capacity lying waste in our youth? This question is directly to the youth of Benue State and it forms the thesis of this article.

When I set out to write this piece, the question I posed to myself was: why has Benue State been unable to meet the challenges of the present even though we appear to have the most competent skills that are admired around the country? It is a pain in everyone’s heart that a society with such capacity and fertile fields would allow itself wallow in such glaring social, economic and cultural decay that is seen and talked about by all. Surely, one of the major punching victims to blame is our political institution. Some may be offended by this depending on one’s knowledge of the issue, but majority would not even bargain to mean there is another reason. It is a “consensus” that the language of the ballot box has not been translated into concrete action for the good of the people- “their” actions does not acknowledge the peoples’ commitment to the ballot box. The necessary question, however, is that if our so-called democracy has not answered our problems, why has our youth abandoned farmlands and in some cases opportunities for a better future to politics? Is it for Facebook thuggery, cultism and political thuggery? Apparently, we have been ravaged, battered and bruised, but I think we are not depressed to a point where suicide is the option. The major line of thinking now should be how we, the citizens of Benue, respond to the numerous challenges. How do we know and be able to scratch where it itches.

 

Our History, Our Pride

We have a lot to be thankful. We need to be reminded so frequently that there is much in our history to be appreciated and not just the things that makes us ashamed and alarmed. The achievements to which we can be proud of as indigenes of Benue State come from the unreserved efforts of our former leaders that brought about the likes of Taraku Mills, Benue Cement Company, Benue State University, the recent Benue State University Teaching Hospital and other essential infrastructure which impacts positively on the Benue citizenry. Of course, we cannot forget the efforts of our past chiefs in creating the environment that gave everyone the opportunity to respect our cultural values and heritage. These were great achievements that echoed the vitality of individuals who brought joy into peoples’ lives. Even more significant, perhaps, were the sacrifices of our ancestors who were persecuted but held on like the Albert Camus’s Myth of Sisyphus so to leave us with such a solid foundation which we still rely on. These were creative visionaries who integrated community development principles into their work. Their abilities and models inspired, challenged, and equipped multiple cohorts around the State.

Definitely, there are individuals who have created enough safe space to facilitate progress in the State. Even though there is much in our current society to be criticised- modern politics and the use of social media, there is also much to be appreciated especially from the youth point of view. The achievement (independent of any political ladder) of some youth around the State in the area of development works. This shows that our self-informed democratic independence is now needed more than ever. It is necessary therefore to ask the question: is it possible that there are genuine youth today trying to live out their best in a largely polarised Benue? I believe, there are some outward signs among youth that are inspiring and encouraging. With one or two uninspiring exceptions, however, what is absent is a strong and convincing coordinated voice from the youth to establish a solid foundation that no pressure will overcome.

In the last 10 years or so, there has been a notable shift from the new social and economic development opportunities that stir into our faces. The unpredictable political situation has caused our disciplinary boundaries to become more fluid, thus activating some young people to engaging in dangerous alternatives which make them vulnerable with constant possibility of a violent uprising. We have all complained and continued to complain about our being marginalised or socially excluded. Of course, it is true that majority are driven to the margin, but are we ready to put our talents to the test? Have we decided to act by collaborating with the local networks to address issues and oversights by exploring in closer detail the interconnections between our capacity and how it should be channelled?- a classic way to facilitating and advancing inclusive or emancipatory methods and approaches with vulnerable or marginalised groups.

Youth Identity and Conflict

It is true that our State has become increasingly ethnic conscious, and conflicts between competing groups within the State are common. Many of Benue’s youth are growing up and developing their sense of self in contexts where they inherit prejudices of all kind; where they are crippled by vile hate; killed on the platform of stereotype and buried in discriminatory tombs. It is not surprising therefore, that ethnic diversity and social cohesion are at loggerheads in the present circumstance.

 

As a direct consequence of this changing social landscape, many of Benue’s youth are experiencing a new social reality- violence against each other. Whilst we expect that our unique exposure to the new and different cultures around the world can help enhance our life experiences, it is rather the source of tensions that undermines social cohesion in the State. Evidence for this comes from the high levels of ethnic and sectional segregations observed in spaces, especially on social media where sanity and decorum has given way to dissention and acrimony. For many, this negative experience has left them jaded and damaged. The longer society remains segregated and communities live apart from each other, the deeper the hatred and greater the chance for animosity to continue to the detriment of peaceful coexistence, social cohesion and meaningful development.

Arguably, the youth population in Benue is growing in good proportion across the State. We are getting younger. Today, one in every ten people is below the age of 30, and since the last 10 to 15 years, young people have been “change-makers.” Youth across the State have taken many steps towards creating movements to promote “a choice” in their communities. Yet history has revealed time and time again the propensity of youth towards violence. Vulnerable youth have been manipulated by “local dinosaurs” to demonise people or an entire group of people. Sadly, “they” declare war, but it is the youth that must fight and die. When will the pendulum shift? Is it possible for youth to declare peace and lead their communities towards nonviolence and reconciliation? Do they have the credibility, the resources and the social capital to positively influence their society? Absolutely! It is possible for the youth to set the standards for new ways to engage in dialogue, nonviolence and development.

We must all be ready to return to our roots so we can tell each other about things that bring unique opportunities and healthy challenges, where young people will be able to negotiate and develop their own sense of identity and belonging alongside historical narratives of identity. Understanding how to promote better relations amongst adolescents as the next generation of citizens is of urgent importance. Nevertheless, it is vital to develop a comprehensive understanding of how young people develop in such social settings and the consequences this has for community relations, both good and bad. This is because identity dynamics play a key role in societal functioning with group conflict often arising and being maintained due to competing social identities. Investing in the next generation will expand their worldview, challenge flawed perceptions, broad assumptions, and stereotypes. Increased interaction will help youth change their mind-sets, have a broader worldview and be willing to judge people for their character and potential and not by the community they belong to.

Grassroots in Nature

Do we need a revolution? We are all local people and must always carry this idea with us. As such, my sense of what we should refer to as revolution in our society is simply being proud of our cultural values and promoting them in the way we act; letting our bread come from our sweat is simply a revolution that no social order can change. As Demi Lovato said, nothing is more beautiful than a smile that has struggled through tears. It is hard not to believe that the current violent activities in our society are a manifestation of the deep rooted problem. That disgruntled youth from across the State are falling prey to hate and discriminatory rhetoric and are recruited for violence. As established from “koro-koro eye” facts, the youth cannot find themselves in the halls of political power, so changing policy or lobbying for political mandates for change is implausibly beyond their reach. This needs to be addressed from the bottom up. Youth activism? I totally agree it is the solution but my sense of youth activism is no other than a grassroots approach. To be able to create a synergy of the Benue talents; to create a harmony around the multiple entrepreneurial tents in the State to substitute our desire to massage the ego of hopelessness with putting our capacities in concrete action. Simply, to create a safe space where everyone’s talent means a harvest of diamond.  This style of youth activism, I think, will be the most powerful asset that will literary make the youth unavailable for destruction as it is the present distressing case scenario. However, unless we have an alternative for the youth, we are bound to be doing worse than the university charlatans would. The courage and strength to achieving these remains in our ability to sentence our gross attitude of selfishness to death. Let us kill the virus of cronyism that is deep-seated within us and embrace a sense of good and true leadership that gives birth to the good society we all desire and deserve.

 

Thinking Youth

To overcome the sense of beleaguerment, I propose what I would like to call “thinking youth”- i.e., trying to see reality from a practical point of view; an examination of conscience by all involved in order to reject the stifling and coercive political climate into which they are born and bred at present. Talking about conscience, it is important to remind us of the remark made by St John Henry Newman when he addressed English Catholics living as a minority in a hostile, indeed anti-Catholic environment: “Your strength lies in your God and your conscience; therefore, it lies not in your number. It lies not in your number any more than in intrigue, or combination, or worldly wisdom. God saves whether by many or by few ….” (“Duties of Catholics towards the Protestant View” in Newman Reader, 292). The interpretation is that it only takes one person, who truly is a human person, to change the world.

 

Evidently, we have the answer to the many predicaments in which we find ourselves today as a people not only in Benue but country or worldwide. All we can do at this stage is to ask: what mind-set should we foster in our new situation in terms of growth and development and the practice of it? There is no one key to the future but many. What I wish to propose for our consideration, is what I think might be the key to making our society a better place for all to live in. We must recover the primacy and efficacy of our consciences. As I said before, we must go back to our roots in order to appreciate our talents and skill so we can work together for the common good of our society rather than the avalanche of entrepreneurial centres and the so-called NGOs in the State- a clear justification of the idea that everyone is out to save themselves as commonly expressed in Nigerian parlance- all man for himself, God for all of us. Can we merge our skills and talents for the common good? I believe this will form a bastion of the panacea to our development challenges.

Way Forward

Apparently, there is an insatiable thirst for developing young talents in Benue. It is obvious on the streets of all the local governments in Benue State that a youth has a business or entrepreneurial centre to build local skills. These initiatives, if harnessed, will provide suitable occasions to allow the extraordinary artistic, literary and intellectual talent that abound in the State to flourish, inspire, and enrich everyone. It will be a boost with regard to job opportunities and for our local economy, and will give pleasure and fun to thousands of youth in the State. Definitely, it will give colour to an otherwise humdrum daily round.

Talent alone is not enough. Talent needs to be upgraded, improved, skilled and processed. The process of participatory action (an opportunity to diagnose, act measure and reflect on social reality) must be employed to provide the youth with space to work as a collective body, sharing objective and subjective aspects of reality. It will help them to draw out and analyse the common knowledge that each possesses. Of great importance is that this must be coordinated by skilful collaborators who will complement the youth ideas by their view of reality. The synthesis of knowledge provided by the people and that contributed by the collaborators ideas leads to a more holistic, contextual, and accurate interpretation of social reality that includes historical, social, political, and economic dimensions. This will be a major approach that will guarantee a change to the current unpleasant situation and trajectory which has over the years fixated the youth “looking up to ‘them’ ” for the “future” which is still bleak and gloomy.

 

My colleagues in the State, surround yourself with people who are only going to lift you higher. We ought to look for something positive in the OTHER, and it must be now because something later becomes never. Do it now!