Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande, has advised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to set up a youth rehabilitation and empowerment programme to address the lingering crisis of gang violence in the state.
Akande noted that the programme will address the triad problem of drugs, unemployment and crime in the state.
The Oyo APC governorship aspirant, who spoke at the 20 years anniversary of De-Group in Ibadan,Oyo State capital, also added that the frequent violent clashes between the youths across the state is the result of unemployment, drug and hopelessness that characterize the lives of youths in Oyo State
“Every street corner of the state harbour youths who are unemployed and hopeless. Many of them take to drugs and join gangs which eventually result in gang wars.
“Governor Seyi Makinde should set up a youth programme that will focus on youth rehabilitation and creation of jobs for the teeming youths.
“In truth, the government cannot employ all the youths in Oyo state. But it can embark on a programme of creating entrepreneurs who will in turn employ the youths in the Small and Medium Enterprises.
“The government should support such SMEs with seed funds, mentorship and patronage for government contracts. Government can take hundreds of thousands of our youths from the labour market.
“The government should become creative and supportive of our youths to prevent a life of hopelessness among them”, he said.
The NCC boss maintained that Nigerian youths are creative and hardworking, stressing that they deserve to be supported by the government.
He charged the youths to show more interest in the politics of the country, warning that their preference for entertainment and European League at the expense of Nigerian politics is a disservice to themselves.
“You have the demographic advantage to determine the future of the country but you need to harness this potential to effect the change you want at all levels” Akande submitted.
