Youth Paralyze Democracy Day In The Delta Over Unemployment

 Economic and social activities, as well as the free flow of vehicular traffic were today paralyzed in the oil city of Warri, in the Delta State. This slow down, and complete stoppage of traffic occurred following a mass protest staged by the Youth Democratic Alliance (YODA) International, over what they called, the high rate of unemployment, joblessness, and poverty touching all Nigerian youth in the country.

A massive rain storm did not stop the anger and urgency of the mass protest. The march began from Airport Road Junction, in Warri, and went through other streets in the city, with a stop at the Igbudu primary school. From there, the march continued on, but not before a major address.

In his speech, the President of Youth Democratic Alliance (YODA) International, Comrade Israel O. Joe,  stated that the mass protest was to “make plain” their grievances.  The focus was what he called the “economic disequilibrium” faced by millions of Nigerian youth. He stressed that the rate of unemployment, joblessness and poverty is at unthinkable levels as the youth of this nation continue to wallow in “the chamber of economic injustice.”

“Today, our nation celebrates democracy day, the 15th year of uninterrupted democracy. It is a day where our leaders of this great country celebrate and jubilate. It is also declared a public holiday. But in a real sense, we should not be happy that our nation yet celebrates pretentious freedom, with mighty economic chains. For more than four decades, the iron rod of oppression has battered Nigeria’s youth. They are frustrated by day, and bewildered by night, by unbearable injustice and burdened with the ugly weight of economic discrimination.

“We have also come to request economic freedom from our oppressors, and the time is now. We can no longer proclaim the assiduous devotion to democracy, and yet, practice the very opposite of democratic creed in our nation. It is momentous because we are tired and ready to sit on the street daily, and sacrifice the painful process for success, than to remain under the economic refugee camp, in our very nation. We shall release the greatest arsenal of war (Peace and non-violence) from our armory, to fight for the economic freedom of the Nigerian youth. We believe that our dogged determination and persistence will give us victory.”

According to the YODA president, the youth across the different states of the country have come to dramatize the shamelessness of the society. They demand economic justice and want to register their grievances with their leaders, adding that the youth are tired and ready to ‘take the bull by the horn,’ not minding the intimidation and victimization.

The YODA President went on to add, “the unspeakable horrors of joblessness among the Nigerian youth is reflected in the gross malady of the Boko-Haram sect, and it has widened the gap for insecurity, robbery, kidnapping, and many social vices, and anti-patriotic activities.”

Israel O. Joe made it clear that the Youth Democratic Alliance (YODA) International will continue to mobilize countless Youth NGOs, and millions of Youth across the Federal and State capitals, and even boycott elections, if the governments refuse to address nothing about the massive unemployment, and joblessness that continues to run high among Nigerian youth.

YODA organizers, however, had recommended to the government what they termed a blueprint to solving the problems of unemployment in Nigeria. One such project would be by creating an ‘enabling environment for young entrepreneurs,’ the immediate fixing of the power sector, a recruitment of graduates and youth corps members, into both the Police and Armed forces.  This could be done with a ‘motivated salary structure’ to secure and safeguard the nation from impending disintegration, they said. In addition, a grass-roots youth empowerment program, one that would include local government autonomy, and implementation of state policing programs that could build more industries to involve recent school  graduates. They also called for the further funding of Agriculture, and the stoppage of massive food importation, a look to review education curriculum, one that would fit into the 21st Century, and include the accessibility of ‘soft loans’ to young graduates who are interested in stating up small businesses. With special attention the YODA organizers address the stopping of corruption in all sectors, including such sectors as the military, company executives, the judiciary, and legislators, and other Nigerian leaders, and citizens among others.

It was agreed that these are lofty goals, but goals worth pursuing.

While appreciating the YODA state coordinators and their delegates for their acute spirit of patriotism, and a dedication to the course of action, the group’s president vowed that they can no longer, as a nation, afford to ‘trivialize the vociferous degrading economic disparity, in what many see as a euphemistic mirage on how it affects youth employment, and empowerment. 

“Never again, will we be silent to the monstrous enemy murdering thousands of souls among the Nigerian youth,” he said. Adding that, “it was evident in the NIS recruitment exercise. We are not touts, we are not slaves, we are Nigeria’s young.” He stated.

Economic and social activities, as well as the free flow of vehicular traffic were today paralyzed in the oil city of Warri, in the Delta State. This slow down, and complete stoppage of traffic occurred following a mass protest staged by the Youth Democratic Alliance (YODA) International, over what they called, the high rate of unemployment, joblessness, and poverty touching all Nigerian youth in the country.

A massive rain storm did not stop the anger and urgency of the mass protest. The march began from Airport Road Junction, in Warri, and went through other streets in the city, with a stop at the Igbudu primary school. From there, the march continued on, but not before a major address.

In his speech, the President of Youth Democratic Alliance (YODA) International, Comrade Israel O. Joe,  stated that the mass protest was to “make plain” their grievances.  The focus was what he called the “economic disequilibrium” faced by millions of Nigerian youth. He stressed that the rate of unemployment, joblessness and poverty is at unthinkable levels as the youth of this nation continue to wallow in “the chamber of economic injustice.”

“Today, our nation celebrates democracy day, the 15th year of uninterrupted democracy. It is a day where our leaders of this great country celebrate and jubilate. It is also declared a public holiday. But in a real sense, we should not be happy that our nation yet celebrates pretentious freedom, with mighty economic chains. For more than four decades, the iron rod of oppression has battered Nigeria’s youth. They are frustrated by day, and bewildered by night, by unbearable injustice and burdened with the ugly weight of economic discrimination.

“We have also come to request economic freedom from our oppressors, and the time is now. We can no longer proclaim the assiduous devotion to democracy, and yet, practice the very opposite of democratic creed in our nation. It is momentous because we are tired and ready to sit on the street daily, and sacrifice the painful process for success, than to remain under the economic refugee camp, in our very nation. We shall release the greatest arsenal of war (Peace and non-violence) from our armory, to fight for the economic freedom of the Nigerian youth. We believe that our dogged determination and persistence will give us victory.”

According to the YODA president, the youth across the different states of the country have come to dramatize the shamelessness of the society. They demand economic justice and want to register their grievances with their leaders, adding that the youth are tired and ready to ‘take the bull by the horn,’ not minding the intimidation and victimization.

The YODA President went on to add, “the unspeakable horrors of joblessness among the Nigerian youth is reflected in the gross malady of the Boko-Haram sect, and it has widened the gap for insecurity, robbery, kidnapping, and many social vices, and anti-patriotic activities.”

Israel O. Joe made it clear that the Youth Democratic Alliance (YODA) International will continue to mobilize countless Youth NGOs, and millions of Youth across the Federal and State capitals, and even boycott elections, if the governments refuse to address nothing about the massive unemployment, and joblessness that continues to run high among Nigerian youth.

YODA organizers, however, had recommended to the government what they termed a blueprint to solving the problems of unemployment in Nigeria. One such project would be by creating an ‘enabling environment for young entrepreneurs,’ the immediate fixing of the power sector, a recruitment of graduates and youth corps members, into both the Police and Armed forces.  This could be done with a ‘motivated salary structure’ to secure and safeguard the nation from impending disintegration, they said. In addition, a grass-roots youth empowerment program, one that would include local government autonomy, and implementation of state policing programs that could build more industries to involve recent school  graduates. They also called for the further funding of Agriculture, and the stoppage of massive food importation, a look to review education curriculum, one that would fit into the 21st Century, and include the accessibility of ‘soft loans’ to young graduates who are interested in stating up small businesses. With special attention the YODA organizers address the stopping of corruption in all sectors, including such sectors as the military, company executives, the judiciary, and legislators, and other Nigerian leaders, and citizens among others.

It was agreed that these are lofty goals, but goals worth pursuing.

While appreciating the YODA state coordinators and their delegates for their acute spirit of patriotism, and a dedication to the course of action, the group’s president vowed that they can no longer, as a nation, afford to ‘trivialize the vociferous degrading economic disparity, in what many see as a euphemistic mirage on how it affects youth employment, and empowerment. 

“Never again, will we be silent to the monstrous enemy murdering thousands of souls among the Nigerian youth,” he said. Adding that, “it was evident in the NIS recruitment exercise. We are not touts, we are not slaves, we are Nigeria’s young.” He stated.