Youth, Unemployment and the Consequences of Wrong Decisions By Kelvin Ify Chiazor The recent story of the four young people sentenced to death by a Special Court in Edo State should not merely be seen as another crime story. It should serve as a serious warning to young people about the consequences of the choices we make when faced with hardship, unemployment and frustration. Unemployment is a genuine challenge in our society. Many young people are struggling to find decent jobs and opportunities to build their lives. However, unemployment should never become an excuse for kidnapping, robbery, cultism, fraud, or any other form of criminality. When opportunities seem limited, it is easy for frustration to take over the mind. A young person may begin to believe that crime is the fastest way to make money. But the money obtained through crime often comes with consequences that can destroy an entire future. A difficult economy can delay your progress, but a criminal decision can destroy your future completely. Young people must learn to distinguish between being unemployed and being unproductive. You may not have a formal job today, but that does not mean you cannot learn a skill, start a small business, engage in agriculture, learn digital skills, offer services, or develop yourself while searching for better opportunities. The society also has a responsibility. Government, communities, families, religious institutions and private organizations must continue to create pathways for young people through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, education and employment opportunities. But while we demand better opportunities, young people must also take responsibility for their choices. Do not allow social media to deceive you into believing that everyone making money is living a legitimate life. Some people display wealth without showing the consequences behind it. Do not compare your beginning with someone else’s questionable lifestyle. There is dignity in honest work, no matter how small the beginning. A young person selling goods, learning a trade, farming, driving, repairing phones, designing graphics, writing, coding, creating content or providing legitimate services is building something. It may not produce instant wealth, but it can create a sustainable future. The story of those sentenced should remind every young person that crime may promise quick money, but it can demand the highest price—your freedom, your family, your future and even your life. Dear youths, don’t let frustration turn into desperation. Don’t let unemployment turn into criminality. Don’t let peer pressure determine your destiny. Keep learning. Keep working. Start small. Seek legitimate opportunities. Ask for help when necessary. Build relationships with people who encourage you to grow rather than those who introduce you to crime. Your current situation is not your final destination. You may be unemployed today, but you can still become an employer tomorrow. You may start with nothing, but with patience, discipline, skills and the right decisions, you can build something meaningful. Choose the difficult path of patience and honest work over the dangerous shortcut of crime. Your future is too valuable to sacrifice for temporary wealth. - @kelvin.ify.chiazo