CREATE REAL PAYING JOBS NOT PAYMENT OF N5,000

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For too long, Nigerians had thought that the government needs to give stipend to every citizen, especially people that have no jobs. Many had estimated the country’s population and thought that if a million naira be given to every Nigerian, this country will not feel the effect. Well, this is just a dream that can never come to pass. At the maiden independence of this great country, our forefathers had a dream of an industrious nation that would be able to prepare Nigerians for the challenges ahead. Through education (liberation from ignorance) and agricultural development of our dear country, they were able to lay down the foundation of a country where laziness is not tolerated. But it is a pity that these dreams have dissipated over time. To corroborate the spending spree, a motion was moved in the senate last week that the Buhari-led administration should immediately commence the payment of the N5,000 monthly stipend it promised during the pre-election campaigns to unemployed youth. This promise could be so myopic given the fact that the value the said amount remains questionable in the 21st century Nigeria. This administration thinks giving palliative measure like this to the unemployed class of the society would ease their survival. The point is the youths do not need the money. What they need is a long lasting solution to the appalling unemployment rate in the country – the creation of real paying jobs.

Given the latest statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics that economically active population or working age comprising Nigerians within the age range of 15 to 64 is now 103.5 million, increasing from 102.8 million in the last quarter of 2015 while the unemployed labour force now stands at 74 million Nigerian youths, i dont think what unemployed Nigerian youths need is the distribution of N5,000 each to them. In my opinion, it is just an attempt to misappropriate fund. Going by calculation, it would cost the government 370 billion naira a month to pay the sum of N5,000 to 74 million unemployed youth. Think of what it will cost the government in a year. Why not use such a huge amount of money to create real paying jobs for the youths? It has been said over and over again that the education, agricultural and power sectors need to be invested in for proper development. What about using the proposed money for these?

Well, it is not a new thing, however, that some people have no jobs due to their poor attitude to work. This could also be salvaged.

Fellow Nigerians, our future cannot be handed over to us , we have to build it. The problem with our country is that government has not given us the tools to build it. They only claim to be serving us and in fact, the only way to serve us is to give us the means to serve ourselves. This country demands bold and persistent experimentation in terms of job creation. Our eyes are opened to the dangers of not getting the youth employed. Such acts as of terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other socio-economic and cultural vices will thrive in an unemployed situation. But if the youth are employed, such acts would drastically reduce. It is common sense to take a method and try it. And if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.

Youths are the future of a nation! Submit your views.

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