By Moh Bello Habib
Zaria
No fewer than 40 million youths are roaming the country streets seeking jobs.
A lecturer at the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Alhaji S.T. Yahaya, has said this in a lecture entitled: “Insecurity in Nigeria-Problems and Challenges” he delivered at a one-day public lecture organised by Nigerian Institute of management (NIM), Zaria chapter held at NCAT.
He said: “According to Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Forum, at least 40 million Nigerian youths are still unemployed. There is high level of unemployment in the country, many university graduates engaged in armed robberies and many other negative vices due to unemployment.”
He complained that many companies that could observe the graduates were no longer functioning.
He attributed crime activities and other social vices amongst the youth to joblessness or restiveness under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Yahaya accused federal and state governments of not controlling the consumption of hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, Indian hemp, among others in the country.
He alleged that these drugs were sold freely in open markets, saying that there was the need for government at all levels to control the sale of hard drugs with a view to ensuring good and brighter societies.
Earlier, chairman of the occasion, Professor Zakari Mohammed, of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said the institute had come to stay and would go beyond the country.
He noted that the institute had gained recognition in some West African countries like Gambiya, Tanzania, and Kenya, among others.
The university teacher said NIM was going into partnership with some universities in the country on academic programmes soon.
Also speaking, the chapter chairman of institute, Engr. Emmanuel Oburu Onwuka, said the institute in its long existence had assisted its members in many ways.
He attributed the low turnout of members to economic harshness.