Opinion
Why Violence Thrives In Our Society
The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
defines violence as “an intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person or against a group or community which either results or has a high likelihood or resulting in injury, death, psychological, harm, mal development.”
Globally, violence takes the lives of more than 1.5 million people annually just over 50 per cent due to suicide. Also, violence has lifelong consequences for victims’ physical and mental health, social functioning. It can also slow economic and social development.
Now the above definition points to what goes on in our society on daily basis, such as robbery, kidnapping and all kinds of social vices which have taken over our society. However, violence is preventable through scientifically credible strategies. This includes nurse home-visiting and parenting education to prevent child maltreatment and life skills training for children.
However, observers note that, to eradicate violence in our society, youths must be employed in various disciplines. Youths form major parts of the Nigerian population and this is shown by statistics data or record. They confirm the globally accepted view that youths of today are the nation’s leaders of tomorrow. This could lead in politics, religion, ethnically, academics or economically. But when youths are given a poor sense of direction, they could take to violence.
Observers attribute the phenomenon to several factors which include the attitude of the Nigerian government. Government has a major role to play. Not only government. Corporate bodies as well individuals have the responsibility of ensuring that the country is conducive for all especially the poor to inhabit.
What youths in this country need now is qualitative education. This way they can hardly attract crime. Another solution to violence is good governance. This point is emphasized virtually every discussion on violence. When governance is free of corruption, its effect will show positively on the society.
Our nation is too corrupt and about 90 per cent of the corruption is perpetrated by those in power. Our leaders must show good examples.
Another way to check violence in our society is to initiate welfare programmes for youths in order to enhance their development. This will ensure a brighter future for them. Nothing short of a total empowerment will position them for productive ventures. Everyone has great potentialities. When tapped, the youth will develop his skill for the good of society.
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has a great task at hand. In line with its duties, it must fashion out ways to engage our youths in practical acquisition of skill. Not only that, they must be properly engaged in areas where the skill must be put to use. Youths need support of all so that they too can contribute to the smooth running of society.
The most disturbing dimension violent crime has taken in the country is rising spate of graduate unemployment. Some robbers that were caught recently in different parts of the country, confessed being graduates. Every year universities churn out thousands of graduates who are not employable. Where will they be absorbed except in committing violent crime.
With the current scenario, it amounts to an understatement to conclude that dark clouds indeed overlooks the nation. It is clear that our society needs to invest more in the youths because they are the willing tools in the hands of mischief makers to unleash mayhem. Several violent crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, cultism etc. have been traced to young persons. The situation portends potential danger. If no urgent steps are taken to contain it, the country will explode one day which might overwhelm everyone.
Danger knocks on our door. That is why I think everybody must sit up. Apart from the role the government has to play which of cause, is a major one at that, parents and guardians have key roles to play in the upbringing and control of their children and wards. The Bible says we should “train up the child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov 22: 6).
This is a big challenge to parents thrown at them by the word of God. What this means is that any parent or guardian who derelicts this biblical injunction, stands accountable to God. Besides, children must be seen as gifts while the parents or guardians are stewards.
Checking violence in our society is everyone’s duty. The government must take the lead here. The rot in our society is so much that we need divine intervention. Nigeria is just becoming the most unsafe place to live in on earth. Hence, priority should be given to youths. The government has to formulate a youth policy that will ensure that every youth is properly educated and endowed with skills. This will make them employable.
Eni wrote from Bori.
Siko Eni
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