We
understand your zeal as the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria to invest in the next generation of the country’s youths by
presenting a budget that contains reasonable projects that are aimed at
tackling the far-reaching malady of UNEMPLOYMENT in our beloved country,
Nigeria.
But, it is so unfortunate that the unemployed graduates
of Nigerian institutions of higher learning have no representatives at
the ongoing National Conference. Having read the modalities of the
National Conference and the components involved, we are convinced
without prejudice or doubt, that our children would blame us if we fail
to inform you, Mr. President, of the mockery of the committee as a
result of misplaced priorities.
Mr. President Sir, the only
common element which costs less, and can solve the myriad of problems
faced by most Nigerians is EMPLOYMENT.
Unemployment is a big
challenge in Nigeria, which over the years has represented a lost
opportunity for national economic development. With the National Bureau
of Statistics (NBS) putting the current rate of unemployed Nigerians at
23.9 per cent, up from 21.1 per cent in 2010 and 19.7 per cent in 2009,
the rising unemployment rate in Nigeria has in no small measure
contributed to the continuous rise in social vices like terrorism,
political thuggery, violence and even teenage pregnancies among youths
in many parts of the country.
In view of these, the Association
of Nigerian Graduates against Unemployment, an association of well
cultured youths and intellectuals, was formed. We represent the
frustrated and angry youths in the society, forced to act after going
through the 492 political selections for the National Conference and
noticing the deafening silence concerning unemployment and the
unemployed.
We are happy you know, according to statements
credited to you, that Nigerians are already talking about their national
challenges through the print, electronic and social media and this is
how we intend to make our voices heard.
The political selections
will only give the same answers and report only what they feel you would
be comfortable hearing. The truth, Mr. President, is far from
comfortable. What affects us is UNEMPLOYMENT, and we want you to take a
critical look at the following issues:
1. Contract Staffing –
This is in fact one of the biggest problems hindering graduates from
getting jobs. Most of those assumed to be workers in most industries,
firms and companies are in fact, not permanent staff. They are all
under-employed and are also competing with fresh graduates for any
available vacancy.
2. Age limit as a prerequisite for employment opportunities.
3. The issue of years of experience by several government ministries and parastatals.
4. Employment not being on merit.
5.
Provision of social welfare for all unemployed graduates and more for
the physically challenged graduates. (Return to the quota for each firm
to employ, as a percentage of their total workforce, a specific
percentage of physically challenged graduates)
Mr. President,
from the various statistics we have from the National Bureau of
Statistics, and other sources, the number of unemployed citizens ranges
from 30 to 45 million, and that is about the population of five major
cities in Nigeria. An average of 4.5 million graduates enter into the
job market annually with no access to soft loans or any type of enabling
environment coupled with epileptic power supply, even after the
privatization of PHCN.
The “YouWin” programme is more like
and very similar to the visa lottery game, where only lucky winners are
empowered and only the families of public office holders and those in
government get the little available jobs. We are citizens and should
also be given access to enjoy social facilities like those in government
e.g. NHIS scheme. We are products of our society and we want to be
treated equally like those in government.
We passed through
various challenges and delays in school such as ASUU strikes, late
school enrolment due to poverty and/or ignorance, bureaucratic
arrangement in government, unfortunate policies and administrative
problems.
Mr. President, we live in a country where people now
sell jobs. Everyone had hitherto been quiet about this completely
unacceptable and despicable act and it must be looked into. We are human
capital, and this is by far, the greatest asset any country can have.
We are worth more than the oil in the South-South or the pepper from the
North. We cannot afford to sit down and watch ourselves waste away
anymore.
Our dear president, we commend you for what has been
done so far in addressing the issue of unemployment such as NDE, YouWin
and others, but we are asking that you help us to help this nation and
youth restiveness caused by unemployment by empowering us.
We are
tired of running out of our fatherland to foreign countries and yet
treated and addressed as third class citizens through Visa bonding and
the rest, when our country is blessed.
The stakes are high now
and we are using this opportunity to address the polity that this
association is not a political movement or a violent sect. We are a
pressure group crying out in splinters but with one voice for our needs
in our country ,Nigeria. We denounce and disassociate ourselves from the
methodologies of some home based terror groups/sects in the Northern
part of Nigeria that have adopted violence and are unleashing carnage on
the society in fighting their cause. However, it should not be
forgotten that the problems of these Home Terror groups in the North
started when their needs were not met, and with lots of anomalies in
their society. Now it’s spiraling and all nations are called to join in
securing the region. All we are saying is listen to our cries now and
not when things go bad. We are accessible and open for discussions on
how to forge ahead in addressing the problems of unemployment with your
support.
Mr. President Sir, ignoring the points raised here can
have unpleasant consequences. We implore you to urgently address these
points to halt the steadily growing number of angry and frustrated
unemployed graduates who may be tempted to channel their knowledge and
energy into negativities. God bless you, sir, as we await your speedy
response and God bless Nigeria
By Ehis Abuya (National Coordinator, Association of Unemployed Graduates).
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/62330.html
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