Young, Hip, Naija

I have planned this blog in my head ever since, I heard that inner voice that won't stay still. I promise not to bore you or waste your valuable time but rather get as many people as possible to stop for a few minutes and "think". Now someone may say this is just boring, why will I need to be told to "think"? I do that all the time without some anonymous blogger asking me to, thank you very much! Let me sincerely apologize for asking this of us, I know we are programmed to think and act as human beings, sadly many of us do not control channel our thoughts. Somehow, like a detective in a well scripted crime movie, I have found that many young proudly Naija people focus too much on "empty swagger".

Naija young people are hip which means cool, stylish, contemporary and like we say in Las gidi, highly mobile. We love our blackberries, range rover sports, MI, Tuface, Psquare and all the other artists in between, Wiz Kid, I see you. The cool thing about us is that whether we can afford the blackberry or range rover is not the question, somehow it becomes a necessity and before long many people have them. Think "Brazilian hair"! I do not know if India, Brazil or China is ready for the demand that will come from Naija women in years to come. Everyone has moved on from "darling yaki", it's all about the hair extensions. A visit to any good club in Las gidi will reveal a bevy of beautiful women in all types of hair extensions.

Need more proof on how hip we are? As soon as a trend starts in America, London, Paris, we modify it and make it our own. We have revolutionized the music industry in Africa with almost no meaningful government assistance. Nollywood, love or hate it has surpassed expectations and continued to gain rave reviews. Somehow Genevieve Nnaji got her CNN prime time interview and some Hollywood actors have featured in Naija flicks. We have comedians making bank and young swagger loving professionals enjoying the good life.

All seems well in our land doesn't it? Asa a young hip Naija babe did rightly say and I quote "there is fire on the mountain and no seems to be on the run". Inside these seemingly glowing positive developments that can be attributed to resilience, there is a brewing fire. The median age of Naija people is 19. The population is young, unemployed and without a clear purpose. There are over 150million people in Naija with 90% of us under the age of 65 according to the National Population Commission. The people are young, ambitious and mostly outside the blackberry, Brazilian hair or elite entertainers category. The percentage described above is minute compared to the larger "have not" army of young people. Many of these people may never read this blog or join facebook. You see wahala dey!

We need to start "thinking" and changing the current approach to our beloved Naija. I have a few questions we can take as homework. I feel like I can ask you to do an assignment in your spare time. Many thanks in advance. Firstly, why are we unable to feed ourselves through mechanized farming? Secondly, since the bulk of the population are young people, why is there little positive change? Thirdly, are we comfortable with the way things are? Fourthly, considering our demographics and population strengths shouldn't there be enough opportunities for the majority, think China, Brazil, India? Lastly, who will change Naija?

This is the first of many blog posts to come, let's get "thinking" not talking. The solution to Naija's challenges are in our brains. Think, think and think.

Until next time stay young, hip and proudly Naija. Naija will rock, because of you.

Young, hip, Naija!