Chairman of Board of Commissioners of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande, has advised Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to set up youth rehabilitation and Empowerment programme to address the lingering crisis of gang violence in the state.
Akande, who spoke over the weekend at the 20th anniversary of De-Group in Ibadan, said such programme will address the triad problem of drugs,unemployment and crime in the state.
He stated that the frequent violent clashes between youths across the state is due to unemployment,drugs and hopelessness that has characterised their lives.
According to him;
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 rehabilitation and creation of jobs for the teeming youths.
In truth, the government cannot employ all youths in state. But it can embark on a programme of creating entrepreneurs who will in turn employ the youths in the Small and Medium Enterprises.
Akande expressed;
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.
NCC Chairman added that Nigerian youths are creative and hardworking and deserves to be supported by the government.
Akande told the gathering that youths should 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.
He added;
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.
