Your Excellency, I write you this letter for the obvious reason that it may be impossible to meet you and lodge my complaint.
I trust that you have listening ears and I implore you gracefully consider addressing the issue therein.
Your Excellency, you may kindly wish to recall that the youths of this great state have been at the forefront of every struggle since the creation of this state.
Unfortunately, many of the young minds have lost hope in this administration and I hope you will take urgent steps to rebuild this.
The younger generations have no patience for long messages; their understanding outstrips speeches and press statements. What they want today is a society conducive to live and labour in. A system that will ensure their voices count where the equitable distribution of wealth and resources is guaranteed.
My dear Governor, please note this; our youths, who graduated recently, are in large numbers and many cannot find means for a decent livelihood. Many who desire to advance their education further cannot do so. Many of them, due to pressure, fall prey to employment scammers. The hard life experience has pushed many into drug peddling, organised groups engaged in stealing and all sorts of crime.
It is going to be a great thing if His Excellency’s administration would avoid lip service to youth’s plights but work concretely with them, not just with celebrities and most opinionated social media activists alone. We must also not forget to accommodate the army of young people that do not possess any skill and therefore would not fit into any formal employment description
The resourcefulness of Jigawa youths is enormous, of which I know His Excellency is very much aware of.
About 65 per cent of our population is made up of young people between the ages of 18 and 42. The need to invest heavily in the development of this energetic group can never be overemphasised. As a matter of fact, youth empowerment and development should have been the cornerstone of your administration.
The unemployment rate in Jigawa is simply worrisome and should not be taken lightly. The NBS reports for three consecutive years have shown we are not doing well in job creation.
I am, however, aware of the various intervention measures your administration has initiated to engage our young people in gainful ventures but they are a far cry from addressing the hydra-headed problem. They need more opportunities to discover their capabilities and an encouraging environment to grow and innovate. For this reason, the government needs to develop initiatives to train and retrain the youth and create awareness about new and emerging fields of entrepreneurship.
Sir, this clamour is not in any way aimed at attacking you. I only strongly believe that our state rises above the shackles limiting it to an enviable standard to one that places it in the heart of all and sundry.
Mr Governor, have my best wishes as you proceed in reforming and initiating programmes and policies that have positive effects on our state and people.
Umar Farouk can be reached via [email protected]
