Counseling Youths for National Stability and Integration: Highlight On the Nigerian Youth.

Abstract

The issue of stability and integration has been a major preoccupation of politicians in Nigeria, who have suddenly woken up to the reality of youth unemployment and how it constitutes a bane to our peace and security. Their effort would be laudable if proposed projects are implemented. With no reliable population statistics, we might assume that Nigerian youths constitute 70% of the population. It would be gross irresponsibility to neglect such a budding set of people full of potentials and whose lives could be tailored towards making Nigeria a great country. Contemporary values and their attendant frustration tend to influence youths to adopt almost a dissident position regarding traditional values that gave our older generation the enviable composure of people who had a purpose and an unflinching commitment to build societies, where equality and justice were supposed to be given a pride of place. This study is aimed at diagnosing the major problems that have caused instability in Nigeria and at proffering suggestions for national integration, while taking into consideration the peculiarities of youth integration in a cultural context that includes the values of selflessness, integrity, justice, equality, commitment, nationalism, patriotism, endurance to mention a few. Would counselling be the only solution to the problems of the youth as we observe today or would the Nigerian government purposefully wade into the intractable socio-economic problems to give our young ones hope and direction? Words and talk shows may be grandiose; cheaply portraying an array of theories propounded by some selfish sycophants, whose interests may be to be seen and heard. It will take a deep compassion to feel with others where they hurt in their lives. The monumental task may appear daunting in the reality of a huge population of over a million graduates that are turned into the labour market every year, nevertheless, where there is a will there is a way.

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