Tech II Nigeria’s Job Seekers And Tech Prospects

Fred Nwaozor The number of job seekers in Nigeria increases astronomically by the day. The intriguing aspect of the unending scenario is that most of these individuals are imbued with tangible tech prowess or potentials that should rather make them job creators. The dangers inherent in joblessness are so conspicuous and frightening in such a way that everyone has become very conscious of its presence, hence invariably make tremendous effort to avert the menace.

In spite of the frantic and tireless steps usually taken by the teeming citizens and successive governments to ensure they aren’t trapped in the pothole cruelly dug by unemployment, they still overtime encounter its ruthless scourge, apparently signifying that their effort isn’t good enough or that something is really wrong somewhere. However, my last visit to one of the West African countries lately made me understand that Nigeria isn’t exceptional while discussing unemployment or that the term is not peculiar to the acclaimed giant of Africa. But, it seems the degree at which it parades its tentacles and elbows in Nigeria is so enormous that the country is ostensibly taking the lead in the comity of nations. This is the sole reason many are deeply concerned and bothered over the anomaly, hence the need for drastic measures towards cushioning the excruciating effects. It’s noteworthy that unemployment is not a personal plight but a general one, thus the essence of a societal approach in a bid to tackling it. This is why countless schools of thought have overtime shown great concern over the lingering nature of the cankerworm as well as aired their views on how best to tackle it. Though unemployment isn’t a convincing excuse to indulge in any crime, hence no discerning mind encourages people to resort to it, it’s worth noting that its scourge remains one of the prime reasons all sorts of criminal activities have escalated in recent times. Another disturbing occurrence that’s apropos of unemployment is the employability status of our present days’ graduates. It’s not anymore news that most of these youths are obviously unemployable, thus posing threat to the labour market and their chances of being meaningfully employed. The plight as stated in the above paragraph is mainly attributable to lack of adequate knowledge as acquired from their respective institutions of learning, or inability of our various undergraduates to stick to the needful while on campus. Taking a painstaking study of all these issues, it’s needless to assert that the ongoing unemployment crisis in Nigeria is not unconnected with dilapidated learning environment cum facilities, decline in the country’s value system, and insufficient employers of labour, among others. Though nepotism is highly condemnable and unacceptable, those who attribute unemployment to it might be making a big mistake because if there are sufficient firms or employment opportunities, such a practice like favouritism or what have you would hardly be detected by anyone. Before now, or in the olden days, Nigerians were gainfully engaged with various works simply because the jobs were readily available and the population was conspicuously far lesser than what we could witness now.

But with the growing lack of sustainability of various government-owned establishments coupled with the astronomical growth of the country’s population, the job spaces abruptly became overwhelmed by the number of people in the labour market. A lot has really gone wrong in the system, but the good news is that, we can once again get it right if the needful is done by the relevant authorities. This can only be actualized by revisiting the drawing board. It would be very wonderful for the government to comprehend that the endless unemployment issues can aptly be addressed by truly comprehending the real value of technology, hence embracing its measures. It’s worthy of note that only technological approach could significantly alleviate all crises that are apropos unemployment. First, we need to revamp the country’s education sector. The current educational system of the Nigerian society has really deteriorated that an urgent, candid and apt measure is required towards its revitalization. We must be ready to train our young ones with a view to becoming self-reliant in their respective abilities. Since the population is growing by the day and the firms aren’t increasing meaningfully, there’s a compelling need to prepare these Nigerians so they could emerge as entrepreneurs or employers of labour rather than seekers. Our various technical colleges, which have apparently gone into moribund, must be revived in earnest to keep the ground running. Those days, graduates of these institutions – even without proceeding to a higher level of learning – could stand on their own as well as comfortably raise wonderful families with their earnings. The governments at all levels ought to endeavour to equip the various tertiary schools in their respective jurisdictions, so that, the graduates can defend themselves in any setting and equally start up something meaningful without ‘giraffing’ for the availability of any form of white-collar job as it is currently the case.

In view of the above, the schools’ authorities must strengthen the value of the ongoing Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), which was primarily set up by the government to aid the technical upbringing of the learners irrespective of their disciplines. Inter alia, the governments need to provide enabling environment to enable all tech-driven talents to thrive as well as ensure that the available patents of the numerous institutions domiciled in their jurisdictions are duly commercialized. Research works in any quarter must also be given a due attention since technology is strictly dependent on research. Conclusively, it would be sacrilegious to beat about the bush while discussing tech-driven matters, because technology is all about facts. Hence, the government needs to acknowledge that the suggested measures can never yield significant and tangible results if we continue to relegate the power supply issue to the background. We must understand that only uninterruptible electricity can encourage entrepreneurship to a great extent as desired by the people. Therefore, this technological factor requires the highest sincere attention. This critique is targeted to express that Nigeria as a people can only aptly address unemployment-related cases if tech measures are duly deployed, hence the need not to shortchange realities. We, as a people, must collectively work to make our teeming young ones job creators, not job seekers, to save Nigeria from imminent collapse. Think about it!

Opinion II On Explosion Of Illicit Refinery In Imo

By Fred Nwaozor

The good people of Imo State, other known as the Eastern Heartland, woke in the early morning of Saturday, 23rd April 2022, only to be greeted with the news of a disaster that befell a certain locality in the State On the night of Friday, 22nd April 2022, an illegal crude-oil refinery – otherwise known as oil bunkering in the local parlance – situated in Abaezi forest at Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area (LGA) of the State exploded unannounced, reportedly killing over 100 youths and razing about six vehicles.

In a similar development, reports also had it that countless individuals within the scene of the incident were seriously injured while many were maimed. During his visit to the scene of the explosion, the following day being Saturday, the Imo State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Goodluck Opiah opined that the incident was very unfortunate, as he described ‘oil bunkering’ as a suicidal business. Consequently, while the Commissioner was on his on-the-spot assessment visit, he stated that he could not confirm the actual casualty figure. He said, “At the moment, I can’t really confirm the number of the deceased because many family members have removed the corpses of so many others.” Mr. Opiah went further to disclose that the State Government led by Sen. Hope Uzodinma had declared the owner of the illegal refinery, Mr. Okenze Onyenwaoke wanted, hence advised him to make himself available to the police immediately.

“Most of the people who are engaging in this act are from Rivers, Bayelsa and other neigbouring states and it is sabotage for our people to allow this illegal act to continue. “Apart from this calamity, the act has destroyed the aquatic life in the community. Our people before now were predominantly farmers and fishermen. “Look around, you will find smoke coming from this illegal act. If this is not enough for any person to stop, I think the community is heading for what I can’t describe,” said Mr. Opiah. On his part, a resident of the area who identified himself as Daniel Opara, told newsmen that majority of the victims in the incident were youth. He said the people were unable to escape because fire covered the whole forest. He said, “I rarely see old people involved in this illegal act. They are mainly youths.”

Mr, Opara, who added that “It is a popular business here. I think they make it there, that’s why they take such risks”, could not say if all the people involved in the illicit business hail from Imo or the neighbouring states. A video clip shot taken from the scene of the explosion, that has gone viral on the social media, revealed horrible images of the victims and vehicles burnt beyond recognition, littering the entire envir

onment. It’s noteworthy that oil theft, known as ‘bunkering’ in local parlance, which remains a means of livelihood to many notable Nigerians, has been a source of concern to many well-meaning stakeholders across the country. The Nigerian government had been reportedly losing an estimated $4 billion annually, due to oil theft activities. This is to say that the economic loss attributable to oil bunkering is outrageous and unspeakable, yet no one is talking about its existence. In Rivers State precisely, air pollution, especially the soot in its capital territory, Port Harcourt and its environs, has been attributed to the operation of illegal oil refineries. Generally, refinery of petroleum products in this part of the world constitute colossally environmental nuisance. This has been the outcry of the people from the Niger-Delta region in Nigeria from time immemorial. This is so, because the country still lacks the needed technical mechanism to address the menace. This is to assert that the illicit practice as regards oil refinery would cause not just environmental hazard but obvious death trap, because so many required measures would definitely be lacking in such pattern of production. Hence, taking into cognizance that virtually all the existing refineries across the federation were illegally built and being operated without any license, is enough reason to worry about the wellbeing and general health status of Nigerians, particularly the residents of the oil producing parts of the country. Nigeria is indeed the cause of her own plight, to assert the least. The point I’m trying to portray here is that, if the leaders of the country truly intends to eradicate ‘oil bunkering’, it would take no effort to do so. Read my lips. It’s even more saddening when realized that the various state governments affected by the uncalled and unfortunate practice generate most of their internal revenue from the illicit business via taxation. It suffices to say that, rather than doing the needful, they would prefer to settle for the worst, perhaps owing to their self-centred interest. For instance, the current Commissioner for Petroleum Resourc

es in Imo State hails from the LGA where the explosion took place in the state penultimate week. It’s needless to assert that he possesses the capacity to identify or fish out the exact individuals involved in the illegal venture. Come to think of think, the aforementioned individual that was declared wanted by the Imo Government, how did they come to know about his nomenclature; was he identified just after the incident; why hasn’t the government made effort to identify and declare him wanted prior to the explosion; does it imply they never knew about his person before the accident? So, many questions are conspicuously seeking apt response, though most Nigerians are already aware of the correct answers to the inquiries. This isn’t the first time we would hear of explosion of oil bunkering, yet the unlawful practice continues unabated as if the country lacks the powers to do the needful.

I’ve, for the umpteenth time, suggested the need for the government to work out modalities on best the oil bunkering practice across the federation could be converted to modular refineries. By doing so, the individuals into the business would still be meaningfully engaged and the entire Nigerians would same time benefit from the activity. But the relevant authorities seemingly remain docile towards it. At this juncture, it won’t be expensive to opine that the Nigeria’s leaders ar

e actually the problem to Nigerians. They have ostensibly ‘vowed’ to keep their followers in perpetual darkness even when the remedy to the prolonged state of poignancy lies in their palms. It’s high time we desist from this act of deceit that has eaten deep into our collective bone marrow. Think about it!

The Claims Of APC Group On Osinbajo’s Presidential Ambition

By Fred Nwaozor

Ahead of the 2023 elections in Nigeria, a group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) members, under the aegis of Progressive Consolidation Group (PCG), has called on the leadership of the ruling party to adopt the incumbent Vice President of the country, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as its consensus candidate for the Presidential election. According to them, Prof. Osinbajo was the most qualified person to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari after expiration of his tenure come 2023.

The PCG, who held a rally in Ikeja, the capital city of Lagos State a few days ago, to receive the Vice President, urged the number two citizen to put himself forward for the presidential position, saying having Prof. Osinbajo as its sole candidate, would douse tension not only in the ruling party, but across the country. Speaking at the rally, the PCG National Secretary, Dr. Eli Eberechukwu Dibia who spoke to journalists at the grand reception, said they had started mobilizing in all the 774 Local Government Areas across the Nigeria for the emergence of Prof. Osinbajo as APC sole Presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2023 elections.

He said, “His candidacy will douse the already accumulated tension across the six geopolitical zones, Osinbajo is a man of grace, humility, truth and the fear of God.” Dr. Dibia further opined, “As a detribalized Nigerian, APC as a party should adopt Osinbajo as consensus candidate of the party and expect a seamless victory.” He therefore described Prof. Osinbajo ‘as a dependable, transparent, competent and passionate Nigerian, who cares about the ordinary man and the youths’, saying the Vice-President ‘holds the best credentials to succeed President Buhari having worked with him as his deputy’. The Group, whose members were dressed in T-shirts and Face-caps bearing the Vice President’s picture, staged what it described as ‘A Walk For Osinbajo’.

Speaking further, the PCG Leader said, “Today, over one million Nigerians have gathered here to celebrate a man of character, a man that we are very convinced that if he mounts the seat, Nigerians will have fresh air. He is cerebral, well tutored pastor and a man of God.” On his part, the National Coordinator of the PCG, Hon. Hyacinth Turnel informed that the ‘Walk for Osinbajo’ was organised by professionals who believed in the ability of the Vice-President to deliver. He said, “We the like-minds, gather here to at least show solidarity to our dear principal, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to run for the seat of the President. That is why we are here.” While asked what makes him think the Vice-President had the capacity to run, he replied that Prof. Osinbajo had spearheaded some reforms in the government that were unknown to many Nigerians. He therefore enthused that the emergence of Prof. Osinbajo as President Buhari’s successor would guarantee continuity, adding it was better to have someone that had learned how the process works than somebody that would come and start learning from the scratch. “At least, he knows the challenges that we have in this country. So, we believe he will do his best to ensure that the challenges are tackled headlong.

When further asked what new thing the Vice-President would bring to the table, he said with Osinbajo at helm of affairs of the country, he would assemble the professionals that would work in the interest of the country. One might ask, does Prof. Osinbajo really possess what it takes to lead Nigeria to the needed Promised Land? While such a question is tendered by a concerned Nigerian, someone on the other side might boldly answer that the middle-aged professor has the required requisite taking into cognizance his social, educational and professional backgrounds and antecedents.

However, like I earlier stated in my previous critique, at the moment, Nigeria as a country does not just need an eligible individual to succeed President Buhari come 2023, but one who truly feels the pains of the country’s populace. Come to think of it, considering the fact that the PCG stated that Prof. Osinbajo was coming to continue from where President Buhari would stop in 2023, just as he (Osinbajo) rightly mentioned in his declaration speech a few days back, is indeed enough reason to worry. The question is, where actually does he intend to continue from? Is it from the current state of the country’s education sector, or the present condition of the health sector? Does he intend to continue fighting corruption the same way it is being fought so far by the current administration?

Is Prof. Osinbajo planning to continue tackling insecurity exactly the same way and manner it’s being done at the moment? Does he intend to address the country’s economic status just as it’s being addressed by the current government? Only his person can tender the right answers to these genuine enquiries. Too many questions indeed await his candidacy, especially when noted that he’s presently the Lieutenant to the man who has apparently turned the country’s economy upside down. Think about it!