After Education, Unemployment benefits and Transitional Spaces, the other areas where government should be encouraged to implement policy targeted at the youth are Transportation, Human Rights and Health. Advocating for better transportation, action against exploitation of young people as well as improved access to health is an important part of Youth Stewardship.

BETTER TRANSPORTATION

Earlier in this series, I identified ‘The Street’ as a literal Transitional Space. ‘The Street’ includes our means of transportation and commuter culture in general. It deserves to be addressed separately and I do so here.

Our means of transportation usher us into the flow of events in our communities. Sadly, for many unemployed young people, the experience is demoralizing at worst, and expensive at best.

Commuting by public transportation should be an uplifting experience: an opportunity to experience the airs & attitudes of the hardworking people in our communities; a chance to rub minds with a friend or stranger; or just a time to gather one’s thoughts in preparation for a job interview.

The nature of the commute does influence our outlook at work and in general, is like an orientation process, giving us a glimpse of prevalent conduct in our environment.

As it is, our transport systems neither serve our workers’ interests, nor the needs of the youth. This has to change. Public transportation should be affordable, reliable, and dignifying. I strongly recommend advocacy by the youth on this matter.

ADDRESSING NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION

Not too long ago, we had to deal with the horrifying news that teenage orphans had been forced to become surrogate mothers. The timeline of events for those incidents are yet to be established satisfactorily but the picture is grim enough as it is. [See PremiumTimes article HERE and see Nigerianbulletin article HERE]

Going by this recent and older news, the fact is that there are too many blind spots in our legal and social frameworks. And it is the youth, adolescents and children who pay the price: Orphans, Beggers, Househelps, and Juvenile offenders. This needs to change.

Honestly, this is arguably the most pressing matter before us because of its terrible consequences, of the numbers affected, and the signs that the problems may run deeper than we perceive at the moment. The Youth need to be proactive on this issue and the sooner we start the better.

ADDRESSING THE HEALTH ISSUE

A list of priority issues would be incomplete without mention of the health problems faced by many including the youth.

In April 2013, it was in the news that the rate of new HIV infections in Nigeria could see us top South Africa as the country with the most people living with HIV. [See Guardian Ngr article HERE]

While the article makes no mention of how this breaks down across demographic groups, at best young people account for a relatively small portion of new infections. What is truly disturbing is that as serious as HIV & AIDS are, they’re not the only health issues of concern. [See article on Hepatitis & HIV in Nasarawa state HERE]

I realize that mandatory testing before University and Youth Corps ensures that many of us are informed. The trouble is that there are many young people who don’t have the luxury of higher education and who therefore, do not benefit from this practice.

Without belabouring this point or the question of consistent compliance with sound regulations, or the lifestyle choices many young people make, we cannot deny that health problems which appeared to be under control only a few years ago are re-emerging threats.

Our Advocacy and activism as youth stewards will be out of touch if this deteriorating health situation is not given priority. Reviving successful awareness campaigns might be a good place to start but that’s not all we need.

Affordable health services, subsidized access to health facilities, affordable health insurance coverage, etc are just a few goals worth pursuing in everyone’s interest, including the Youth. Bottom line – It is necessary that we do something about Health.

POSTSCRIPT

If you find these 6 priority areas (The non-negotiables) generic and predictable, it’s because they are. Most important things tend to be obvious.

The Youth should not wait for others to frame the conversation on these issues especially where our interests are concerned. As we become more proactive, decision makers will avoid making the mistake of not seeking out our opinions before policies are made.

When we proactively research, study, inform and drive debate among ourselves, we can contribute to creating policies that consider the youth perspective and address youth concerns.