The over 4.5 million unemployment graduates in Nigeria have lamented their non-inclusion in the membership of the proposed National Conference.
The unemployed graduates under the aegis of National Association of Unemployed Graduates in an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and made available to CEOAFRICAon Tuesday, said it was unfortunate that the unemployed graduates of Nigerian institutions of higher learning have no representatives at the upcoming conference.
Having read the modalities of the National Conference and components involved, they said "we are convinced without prejudice or doubt, that our children would blame us if we fail to inform you, Mr. President, of the mockery of the committee as a result of misplaced priorities.
While acknowledging the Jonathan's investment in the next generation of the country’s youth by presenting a budget that contains reasonable projects, some of which were aimed at dealing with the far-reaching malady of unemployment, they said it was unfortunate the problem remained unsolved.
According to them, the only common element which costs less, and can solve the myriad of problems faced by most "Nigerians is unemployment. Unemployment is a big challenge in Nigeria, which over the years has represented a lost opportunity for national economic development. With the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) putting the current rate of unemployed Nigerians at 23.9 per cent,up from 21.1 per cent in 2010 and 19.7 per cent in 2009, the rising unemployment rate in Nigeria has in no small measure contributed to the continuous rise in social vices like terrorism, political thuggery, violence and even teenage pregnancies among youths in many parts of the country.
"We represent the frustrated, angsty and angry youth in the society, forced to act after going through the 492 political selections for the National Conference and noticing the deafening silence concerning unemployment and the unemployed.
They explained that the political selections would only give the same answers and report only what they "feel you would be comfortable hearing. The truth, Mr.President, is far from comfortable.
While noting that affected them was unemployment, they urged Jonathan to take a critical look at the contract Staffing, age limit as a prerequisite for employment opportunities, the issue of years of experience by several government ministries and parastatals, employment not being on merit and provision of social welfare for all unemployed graduates and more for the physically challenged graduates.
"We passed through various challenges and delays in school such as ASUU strikes,late school enrolment due to poverty and/or ignorance, bureaucratic arrangement in government, unfortunate policies and administrative problems.
"Mr. President, we live in a country where people now sell jobs. Everyone had hitherto been quiet about this completely unacceptable and despicable act and it must be looked into. We are human capital, and this is by far, the greatest asset any country can have. We are worth more than the oil in the South-South or the pepper from the North, we cannot afford to sit down and watch ourselves waste away.
