Youth Group To Protest Against Unemployment

TheNigerian Unemployed Youth Vanguard (NUYV), is to stage a peaceful protest on October 1, over the worsening unemployment situation in the country, the National Coordinator of the group, Mr Solomon Adodo, has said.

Adodo who made the announcement in Abuja at a news conference, said that NUYV had mobilised millions of unemployed youths in the country to participate in the rally.

“The peaceful rally shall hold simultaneously in the 36 states and Abuja as Abuja will be the nucleus of this protest.

“In Abuja, we shall converge at Berger Bus Stop and proceed in a peaceful trek to the Eagle Square where we intend to engage President Goodluck Jonathan in a parley,’’ Adodo said.

He expressed regret that the employment slots available to youths were taken over by top government officials, politicians, their families and friends.

The coordinator said that part of the grievances of the NUYV include lapses in the privatisation programme and dilapidated infrastructure.

“For how long will crude oil remain the mainstay of our economy? What is happening to agriculture sector and steel industry? Let the government play her part in reviving and strengthening these industries to create employment,’’ he said.

He appealed to the Federal Government to make judicious use of the N200 billion agricultural loan to empower youths.

“Why are Nigerians kicking against interest free banking? What has happened to the N50 billion ear-marked for employment generation? “ he further asked.

Mr Femi Osabini, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said that more than 70 per cent of youths were unemployed.

According to him, the issue of unemployment needs to be tackled than security because when there is employment the problem of insecurity will not arise.