We are the confused generation

Are the present Nigerian youths truly confused?. This has been the question on my mind since I read a comment on a group yesterday afternoon. The statement was spurred by the advertisement of one of the leading banks in the country. It created a lot of controversies and rancour on various social media platforms. And the reply someone sent to me on WhatsApp after going through yesterday's article also contributed to the thought.

It's inevitable to see people stand for and against a motion. If someone asks "Should the minimum wage in the country be reduced?". Don't be shocked if you see some people reply in the affirmative. I think that's what makes the world a fun-filled place, the freedom of choice and opinion makes it so easy for every motion, no matter how ridiculous it is to have someone stand for and someone stand against it. This particular advert I mentioned earlier isn't exempted.

One argument led to the other and we got to the lifelong argument-

The influence the foreigners have on us is our major problem

We take the Europeans as our model. Not bad I'd say but what I detest the most is when we try to downplay our own culture and heritage or when we write off our own products. When I say "Products" I don't mean goods alone. It's common to see some "some youths" say "I don't listen to Nigerian music. It's trash". This is one of the statements I hate hearing. Ask them why and they will go on a long talk with no basic point.

They attend parties and vibe to these kinds of music but criticize it in public. The foreign songs they say they love portray the same message as most Nigerian songs. Don't get me wrong, I also listen to foreign songs. I have a lot of Celine Dion, Drake, J cole, sho madjozi, Kanye, Cardi, Beyonce and Co songs on my phone. Praising their songs at the expense of our own is what I don't condone.

Way of life

Apart from the music industry, we are gradually deviating from our ways. We take the ways of the Europeans as the white paper for our lives. What they do in their movies is seen as the proper way of living. We believe every single thing portrayed in their movies. You'll see people that haven't stepped a foot at the airport before talk about how people live over there and also how we should imitate them.

The mode of dressing is one of the major issues we are having. A country that loses its culture or heritage is already in slavery. You can dress anyhow you want to. But backing it up with "That's how they dress abroad and it's the right way" is the problem.

"When you're in Rome you act like Romans" you can't go to some countries and break their rule and tell them you're imitating certain countries or continents. It's impossible. But here we follow the ways of the foreigners with pride.

And the confused one

This category is where the majority of us falls. Today we talk about how favourable the foreign ways is the perfect way of life. We complement their marriages, the way they treat their children, the government and all.

But when it's time when some part of their way of life goes against our belief, religion or opinion, we fall back home and advocate for our culture. I'm ashamed to say I partially fall in this category. We see some part of their culture as a favourable one. We criticise our way of worshipping God but when a problem arises we run to these gods.

I've seen an article that suggests our politicians should be sworn in using metals which is the instruments of Ogun. We practice their system of Governance but want to integrate the local ways too.

We know the truth but pretend not too

Going back to the reason why the argument started. The advert showed pictures of a guy promising a lady some money. I'm bit going to talk about it for long. While some saw it as a degrading thing to the female gender, some see it as the harsh truth. What we have going on in the country.

We all know what is right and what is wrong but some choose to go for the wrong. We prefer lies laced with sweet words to the Truth. And when we argue, we go to our usual words "This can't happen in other countries ". Instead of us calling a spade a spade, we prefer to hide under disguise.

Conclusion

Though the present situation of things in the country is something to worry about. I believe we can do our quota by going back to our roots. We can adapt to the lifestyle of the foreigners or even support them with our whole heart, but let's not forget our own.

The behaviour of our leaders or disloyal behaviour of us companies or businesses might have made us conclude that this country/continent is hopeless, but if we continue to push this narrative when will things change. As I said in one of my previous articles "Not everyone will be opportune to leave the country, and even those that leave knows there's no place like home" so why don't we reconsider our thoughts towards the "products" the country is producing. The big countries we look up to today were once like this. We need to pray for this nation.

We all have freedom of choice which makes this world fun and interesting. I have no right to force my opinion on others, so let's take this as an admonishing post, pleading for us all to celebrate and support our own. 2023 is here already and we the "Soro soke" generation are still watching doing nothing. That's a story for another day...

Disclaimer

This is not an attack on anyone, tribe, religion, country or continent. It is far from that. It's a wake-up call for us all regardless of who we are or represent.

Thanks for reading!🤗💚🤗