By: Jude Okoro
Youths under the umbrella of Youth Democratic Alliance (YODA) International, Thursday came out in their large number to protest against the rate of unemployment, joblessness and poverty in the country.
The youths who defiled the heavy down pour, commenced their mass protest from the Airport junction road in Warri and ended at the popular Igbudu primary school, chanting songs depicting the sorrowful nature of the Nigerian youth.
The youths and their leaders came from across the country to kick start the protest which they said would be held across every state of the federation as a way of registering their grievances even as they noted that they have been robbed their freedom of democracy.
Delivery his speech, the President, Youth Democratic Alliance (YODA) International, Mr. Israel .O. Joe disclosed that the unemployment protest was to make state emphatically their grievances upon the alter of economic disequilibrium adding that the rate of unemployment, joblessness and poverty was unthinkable.
In his words “Today, our nation celebrates democracy day, the 15th year of uninterrupted democracy. It is a day where our leaders of this great country celebrate and jubilate. It is also declared a public holiday. But in real sense, we should not be happy that our nation yet celebrates pretentious freedom with mighty economic chains. For more than four decades, Nigerian youths have been battered by the iron rod of oppression, frustrated by day and bewildered by night by unbearable injustice and burdened with the ugly weight of economic discrimination.”
“We have also come to request economic freedom from our oppressors and the time is now. We can no longer proclaim the assiduous devotion to democracy and yet practice the very opposite of democratic creed in our nation. It is momentous because we are tired and ready to seat on the street daily, and sacrifice the painful process for success than to remain under the economic refugee camp, in our very nation. We shall release the greatest arsenal of war (Peace and non-violence) from our armory to fight for the economic freedom of the Nigerian youth. We believe that our dogged determination and persistence will give us victory.”
Continuing, the president stated that the unspeakable horrors of joblessness among the Nigerian youth is reflected in the gross malady of the boko-haram sect and it has widened the gap for insecurity, robbery, kidnapping and many social vices and anti-patriotic activities.
According to the group’s president, “Youth Democratic Alliance (YODA) International shall mobilize countless Youth NGOs and millions of Youths to the Federal and States capitals and boycott elections if the governments refuse to do anything about the massive unemployment and joblessness amongst the Youth and we are recommending to the Nigerian government the following ways to tackled the menace of unemployment in the country.”
“Government must create an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs, government must without any delay fix the power sector and to recruit graduates and youth corps members into the Police and Armed forces with motivated salary structure to secure and safeguard the nation from impending disintegration. There must be an all round grass-root youth empowerment and to review our education curriculum to fit into the 21st Century and must fight corruption with all sincerity within the military, executives, judiciary, and legislators, leaders and citizens among others.”
