2018: Buhari should focus on alleviating poverty

THE National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), last year, reported that over four million Nigerians lost their jobs. Some even believe that the numbers could be higher than the four million given by the NBS.

However, this is one area President Muhammadu Buhari should focus on if he is to reduce the unemployment rate in the country.

It has been said times without number that unemployment is a time bomb, especially when one considers the number of educated youths who are unemployed. This is one reason why crime is on the rise in the country.

A highly educated but unemployed young man is a very ‘dangerous’ person; are we surprised at the sophistication of the Nigerian internet fraudsters?

Being unemployed and being unable to provide for one’s survival is something that can lead one into crime, particularly armed robber, fraud, among others.

If Nigeria is to achieve its economic goals, then it is important for the government to focus on reducing the unemployment rate in the country.

While this will not work with government establishing businesses, it can only work when the government provides the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

In Italy and Germany, special focus is on vocational studies, which will enable graduates of such vocations to establish their businesses. This is the reason Italian shoes are so popular all over the world.

The Nigerian government should also work towards assisting unemployed youths access financial grants that will make it easy for them to start their businesses.

A good example of such policy is the YouWin programme established during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan. This project assists businesses with funds to expand, thereby making it possible to employ more people.

So if we have one million businesses that can employ five people each, do we know how many people will be gainfully employed and taken-off the streets.

Unfortunately, it is not that the country does not have the resources to assist such businesses, but managing such is our biggest challenge.

However, I hope the president can reach out to international entrepreneurship experts to work out ways through which funds can be made available to Nigerians.

Adeniyi John

Lagos