SOCIETY, MEDIA AND CHARACTER- FORMATION: A FOCUS ON THE NIGERIAN YOUTH

Austin Chibueze Okeke

Department of Theatre and Film Studies

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

E-mail:austinchibueze@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This essay examines and categorizes certain influences often encountered by today’s Nigerian youths and which have also helped to largely affect their decisions and actions. These youths are logically innocent but also highly impressionable as they readily get excited over experiences that are potentially adventurous. They have an innate desire to explore and conquer challenges, and whatever seems to fascinate them in this regard easily wins them over. The study establishes that the Nigerian youths are victims of circumstances, as they have emerged as products of inimical environmental factors which have wrongly shaped their universal worldview. The study therefore proposes a great and consistent measure of adult supervision over the affairs of the youth. It also recommends governments’ censorship of media contents in order to curb the flagrant influence of such, and float programmes which will occupy and or engage the youths in meaningful vocations. Above all, the study submits that the vehicle of the theatre art could also be explored in order to detract and refocus the effort and attention of these young minds.