Our dear president,
We write this letter to you with great passion, and in a state of
curiosity and concern. 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 politicians will 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
The residents of Challenge-Iwo Road axis woke up to the headless body
of a young man who was thought to be a student of an institution in the
state was found dumped by the roadside.
