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Editor’s note: The problems plaguing Nigeria as a country are believed to be surmountable and one of these problems is high rate of youth unemployment.
In an message sent to NAIJ.com, a popular comedian, I go dye writes an open letter to Nigerians government, youth on how to make Nigeria great again. First of all, I give God the honour for granting us this day and the hope for a brighter future.
I write this open letter with a profound wish, that our country Nigeria shall uphold her greatness and sustain the pride of the black race.
Today, many of our youths' have lost hope; patriotism has declined in our daily lives, due to hardship and the failure of Government to provide some of the basic amenities.
I bring a message of peace, fulfillment and progress to all Nigerians, as I appeal for national sacrifice. I feel obliged to kindly request, that all Nigerians should take it upon themselves to act and make selfless sacrifices.
The burden upon the federal government of Nigeria is so demanding, with the increased agitations across all regions. But I I firmly believe that we shall wade through these moments, better and stronger.
To solve these problems, Government should advance its commitment to make life more meaningful to her citizens’; this is the first priority towards restructuring the Nation and solving the immediate agitations.
Every day, different groups and individuals keep seeking the line of division, which has kept us stagnant and retrogressive as a Nation.
Although the amnesty program in the Niger delta has been a temporary success, there is a great need to develop a more comprehensive plan that will guarantee the growth and self-resourcefulness of all the youths across Nigeria.
We cannot continue to expand the responsibilities on our military because of internal problems, considering the achievement recorded by the military in recent time, in the fight against terrorism which is highly commendable.
For how long shall the youths be the ones fighting themselves through different mediums, either as militants or insurgents fighting’ against the military, an institution that is also filled with youths who have pledged under oath to defend our sovereignty as a Nation.
All the youths in this country are one, by virtue of the hardship they face and they should not allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence.
I want to use this medium to suggest the following issues, which has been in the heart of most Nigerians:
First of all, the power issue should be addressed, without power nothing can be achieved. The cost of doing business in Nigeria is expensive and small scale business is grossly affected by low electricity output.
It is on record that majority Of Nigerians provide electricity by themselves, when you consider the eighteen thousand naira minimum wage and the cost effect, by buying just four liters of fuel on a daily basis, you will discover that nothing is left for them.
The tendency of acquiring more to meet their domestic needs will be nurtured, a burden that leads to corruption. Everything humanly possible should be done to provide energy and expand its supply, which has forced many small scale and multinational firms to neighbouring countries, which would have created employment for our youths.
The Federal government should invest on the human resources in each region, most especially the south east and north east, which are facing the highest conflicts of interest at the moment.
They should be reoriented and empowered, while the people in Niger Delta should also be educated to invest in other areas and see beyond oil.
We fight over crude oil and forget a simple reality that four litres of palm oil is presently been sold at three thousand naira while four litres of fuel is sold at five hundred and eighty naira, which is almost six times lower than the value of palm oil.
So the people of Niger delta who are also blessed with palm oil should be informed that a time will come when crude will not be needed in larger proportions because of advancement in technology.
Federal government must advocate that every state and region in this country should produce one agricultural product in large quantity within its domain. We cannot be experiencing high cost of food items when we have fertile lands for farming.
The level of investment must be directed to the real farmers, while youths should be encouraged into farming by granting incentives and soft loans to aid mechanized farming. This will guarantee internal supply of food items, create job opportunities for the youths across the nation and subsequently lead to export of products.
Once there is food sufficiency, the life expectancy will be improved. Government must taking adequate steps to protect our growing population, this issue must be addressed. I write today, on the part of patriotism, acknowledging the fact that I have walked through the bitterness of both lives, after experiencing the 1999, Ijaw and Itsekiri crises, which I lost three of my close friends’ to that ugly incident, such memories teaches one the need to promote peace at all times.
The fact remains that the Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, Ijaw and Igbo man or any other ethnic tribe is not our problem. Nigeria is a blessed country; our fundamental problem is instigated on us by our various leaders across the six geopolitical zones, whose actions are responsible for our present situation, who often promote hate speeches, tribalism, secession interest, terrorism, militancy and all forms of anti-social vices against the Nigeria state. When these forms of negativity is allowed, one objective is achieved, we end up seeing ourselves as enemies, destroying one another while the instigators of these conflicts do not have their children involved in any form, their children are abroad schooling while they fuel these crisis. At the end of every conflict after killing ourselves, their children will come back to explore our children through the same devastating course.
The youths in Nigeria should also understand that when they pose as threats to development by their negative speeches, attacking investors in their region. The companies will leave their domain and that has increased the level of unemployment in Nigeria.
As regards to the restiveness in most part of the country, the youths and leaders in the North east should also understand that it will take a long time to rebuild what have been destroyed since the insurgence started, we must take all steps to protect all properties and lives across the nation.
Most importantly as we celebrate youths today, the Federal government should consider youths development as a major issue, once a nation's active population is under- productive than that nation cannot develop.
Today, many of our youths are still leaving the country, considering the fact, that Nigeria youths are included among the highest stranded citizens across many international borders, that reflects the desperation to survive against all odds and the low employment opportunities in Nigeria.
This situation calls for concern, because majority of these youths left their father land just to get credible means to work, that reflects the risk and sacrifices that the youths are undertaking just to live and survive within their personal resolutions because of governments’ failure. I recommend that for us to reduce and solve the unemployment, militancy, insurgency, and guarantee peace in this nation, certain steps must be taken.
Each State in Nigeria must develop its own wealth. Idea rules a nation; State governments should engage consultants, Human resource experts and content developers to provide them with the right Initiatives to address youth restiveness and unemployment.
The average youth and citizens of this nation, have a wrong perception about the Federal government. Even when their State governors refused to function effectively, bulk of the blame still goes to Federal government.
This is not supposed to be. The federal government must adequately inform Nigerians on the various plans, projects and give insight on the financial commitment provided to each state government.
The onus of fact on who is responsible for the failed projects across the nation must be established, so that the tension and resolve to take up agitations of neglect against the federal government and its properties should reduce.
The information and budget allocated for specific projects must be made public; the ministry of information and National orientation must breakdown this information to the simple understanding of all Nigerians.
So when these projects are not observed, then the people in that environment can now question the non-compliance.
Honestly, the reputation of the Federal government of Nigeria is not well protected by most state governors; this is part of the major reasons why the entity called Nigeria is attacked. Indeed, Human and natural resources disposition are often the issue that leads to conflict, no matter the measures taken to balance the sharing formula, there will still be dissatisfaction.
But if we can define as individuals or as a group of people living in any environment what we can do for our country, then half of our problems will be solved. Conclusively, I kindly remind us that in the midst of any conflicts, the youths are the major victims; they are the first casualties, so we should not become instruments of self-destruction.
I am proud being a Nigerian; there are millions of others who believe in this country, wishing for our beloved nation to get better.
I appeal to the youths across Nigeria that they are the leaders of today and the future; they have the will and power to decide who governs them. Let’s unite and build that progressive country of our dreams. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. naij
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