Tip for the Government

I think our Governments should implement this....

How Can We Create Jobs? By Debo Onifade

Many Nigerians followed the US presidential elections and showed a lot of excitement about Obama’s victory.  I believe government officials were also energized, as we can deduce from the altercations between ACN and PDP that ensued after ABT (Ahmed Bola Tinubu) famously attended the Democratic convention.  It is great that a significant percentage of Nigerians have shown great interest in American politics, but it is time for us to begin to demand that our political parties begin to copy ‘the good things’ in American politics.  Throughout the campaign period, Obama and Romney had to consistently explain how exactly they intend to create about 12 million jobs in the next 4 years, which is a rough estimate of what is required to reduce unemployment rate to about 5%. 

Obama touted continuously that his government facilitated over 5 million private sector created jobs in the last 3 ¾ years.  These figures are verifiable and not mere assumptions.  Sometime ago, the Obama government had to review the numbers downwards after a verification exercise revealed there were some wrong assumptions.  A lot of direct government jobs were also created in the last 3 ¾ years but Obama didn’t tout this much because Americans typically don’t want to hear much about government creating jobs by itself.  People see this as ‘bigger government’.  In America ‘bigger government’ isn’t entirely negative and I have friends that got government professional jobs due to Obama’s ‘bigger government’ policy. 

In Nigeria, we (especially journalists) must begin to ask PDP, ACN, CPC, LP, etc to explain to us exactly how they are creating jobs, how many jobs they have created, how they intend to create more jobs, and how they will create jobs when they win future elections.  By the end of this year, GEJ should tell us how many direct government and private sector jobs his government has created in the last 18 months.  The same goes for the governors.  We need to know which governor is creating more jobs, what party they belong, how many jobs they are exactly creating, how they are creating those jobs, and how they intend to continually lower unemployment rates in their states.  Undoubtedly, it is easier to create jobs in some states than others, but we must be able to quantify government efforts going forward.  We should not be satisfied with vague promises and nebulous achievements.

Thomas Jefferson said in his 1801 inaugural address that ‘a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and all that is necessary to close the circle of our felicities’.  This statement fully corroborates many of my points.  First, our governments must be wise and frugal.  You cannot have enough money to facilitate jobs creation if you are wasteful and unwise with spending.  It will never ‘add up’ and is just not possible.  So we must be asking our politicians during debates and campaigns how exactly they intend to cut spending when they win elections.  For the ones in government, we must continually ask them how exactly they have been cutting spending.  Second, Thomas Jefferson talks about security.  Truly, no government can have the energy, funds, and right concentration to tackle unemployment if there is no security.  In fact, several companies are not growing in Nigeria today because of security challenges.  You can’t keep shops or businesses open till very late because of security and that means you can’t hire extra staff for late night work. 

People won’t even patronize you because they are scared to go out at night.  Big companies spend heavily on security for their staff and property, reducing the cash available for them to grow their business or invest in other areas that would otherwise have generated employment.  Third, Thomas Jefferson talked about free enterprise (I guess he may have referred to very limited or no government regulation).  The world has changed since Jefferson’s time and I am a strong advocate of reasonably strict government regulation.  So I differ with the highly esteemed Thomas Jefferson in this regard, but the clear point to Nigeria here is that government must always think about private-sector job creation and not think only ‘bigger government’ all the time. 

We all know that ‘bigger government’ in Nigeria is ‘bigger political appointees’ and this has always escalated corruption.  So, we must shrink our governments and develop ways to facilitate private sector driven employment generation.  Finally, I believe Thomas Jefferson proposes that Nigerian workers (like those in other parts of the world) should be paid promptly and properly and they should not be taxed too much. 

How do I think governments can create jobs in Nigeria?  Among several other things (some of which I have mentioned above), the following are the 3 areas where I believe our governments should focus on to create jobs: (1) build enormous housing and rail infrastructure, (2) create new strategies and infrastructure to mitigate flooding and prevent future devastations (3) harness the power of agriculture in our country.

Can you imagine how many Nigerians will be employed if federal and state governments across Nigeria begin to spend massively on housing?  Laborers, Artisans (carpenters, plumbers, painters, welders, builders, metal technicians, etc), engineers (electrical, mechanical, structural, civil, etc), architects, accountants, surveyors, businesses (quarries, metal companies, furniture companies, excavators, etc), finance companies, food sellers (they will be busy throughout construction period), etc.  Aside from generating employment, if government fixes housing in Nigeria and develop a good mortgage scheme, people will be able to own or rent houses at less rates and most importantly they will be able to avoid the standard 2-year advance payment prevalent in Nigeria. 

It is indeed very sad that fresh graduates or fresh employees have to save for several years and borrow money in order to RENT an apartment.  In many parts of the world, people usually save up to buy houses, not save up to rent.  When government creates employment through housing, they earn more taxes, but ultimately if the housing business is run properly in reasonable collaboration with the private sector, these houses will generate income for the government over a period of time.

I learnt from my parents and uncles that the Nigerian Railway Corporation used to employ thousands of Nigerians decades ago.  It is a shame that this corporation was allowed to die.  If this sector is revamped through public-private participation, engineers, drivers, conductors, maintenance technicians, book keepers, accountants, top managers, mechanics, etc will be employed again en-masse.  In addition, people will spend less on transportation and their qualities of life will improve.  Less people will drive their cars and pollution will reduce.  When pollution reduces, health problems reduce in Nigeria, so government spends less on health care and productivity is enhanced.  The business generates income for government, and it is a win-win scenario for government.

We have experienced massive flooding and devastation in Nigeria in the last few months.  This is a wake-up call to our government.  It has been estimated that Nigeria will likely be spending hundreds of billions to solve the resulting problems and mitigate future occurrence.  Nobody can stop natural disasters, but we can build infrastructure to mitigate its effects.  Governments should think about youth employment as they start spending money to solve the flooding problems.  They should not consider quick fixes and give people opportunities to steal money.  Government must bring forward experts from around the world (Nigerians and foreigners) to develop a comprehensive strategy to mitigate future occurrence, award the contracts to the most reliable companies (even if they are foreign) but ensure that Nigerian youths are employed to fully take part in the design, planning and construction works.  If these youths require training, they should be well trained.  We must use this disaster to rebuild and to create jobs for people.

Agriculture is a topic I won’t want to dwell too much on because it is an area that I think all governments in Nigeria accept is our most important path to success in future.  America is the largest importer of Nigeria’s crude oil, but we would be foolish to think this demand will continue for the next 10 years.  Already, America’s crude oil import from Nigeria and some parts of the Middle East has reduced.  I have been telling friends for years that America will no longer need foreign oil very soon.  When America no longer needs foreign oil, the new energy sources will move to other countries within a decade, and global crude oil demands will reduce tremendously.  Aside from this, many African countries are now ‘finding’ oil, so oil will no longer be a special mineral in about 10 years from now. 

What does that mean to Nigeria?  Bankruptcy looms!  The oil we currently have is not helping us to develop because of corruption.  By the time the oil loses its value in about 10 years or so, we will be down to agriculture and a few other minerals.  On the other hand, food supply is going to be a major problem for the world in coming years.  Several countries are already planning ahead and Nigeria must harness this opportunity.  First, we must be able to feed our people sufficiently, without importing basic food.  I

If we achieve this alone, our GDP will grow significantly.  Even at the current level of largely subsistence farming, agriculture continues to contribute highest to Nigeria’s GDP every year.  So if we can grow the industry to meet all local needs, we would have done quite well.  If we can grow our agricultural exports again as we did in the 1960’s and 70’s, Nigeria’s GDP will grow tremendously.  But the most important thing to me is that agriculture can generate millions of jobs in Nigeria. 

Government should be energized by the fact that job creation will reduce insecurity, reduce mortality rates, make it easier for politicians to govern, and promote peace in our land.  This (not GDP growth) is the true sign of economic development!

Debo Onifade

debo@ieee.org

LIFE is equal .........

Fighting for basic human rights is the key to 

solving all of humanity’s problems. It’s a hard 

struggle, but one that affects us all.

Our future is beyond our vision but not beyond our control - Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Human rights as a way of life

Allow me humbly to ask you to walk with me into this discourse about human rights as a way of life, slowly and thoughtfully. Let us join in bringing a new expansive meaning to this overarching holistic vision and practical mission through learning and dialogue.

At part of the recent 60^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Elders, of which Jimmy Carter is a member, issued an enthusiastic call: All HUMANS have RIGHTS. With all the respect I have for these great people, I sent them a note asking, “But do the humans know them?”

If all women, men, youth and children know, own and internalize human rights as relevant to their daily struggles, the inclusivity, universality indivisibility, and interconnectedness of human rights will have people participate proactively and positively in the decision that determine their lives. They will join in breaking through the vicious cycle of humiliation and make this a secure and nurturing place for all. If we choose the path to fulfill the extraordinary promise of human rights, we can be in control and chart the destiny of humanity. We have no other option.

A tool for action

The words human rights are in our daily vocabulary. They exist mostly as a litany of civil and political violations. Instead, they can be understood as a positive and powerful tool for action that offers a unique strategy for human, economic, cultural and societal development. FDR spoke of freedom from fear and freedom from want. He said that necessitous men and women cannot be free. This moral and political insight laid the infrastructure for the International Bill of Human Rights. This Bill included the UDHR, and the two Covenants: one on Political & Civil Human Rights (ICCPR), and the other on Economic Social & Cultural Human Rights (IESCR). The name “covenants” connotes a biblical term that speaks to a moral authority, acknowledging the sanctity of life. (It is important to note that in many countries around the world, those that have ratified Human Rights Covenants and Conventions placed these instruments on par with the legal authority of their constitution. Not in the USA.)

Great moments of transcendence

Throughout human history of wars, famine, humiliation and intolerance come great moments of transcendence that liberated us and allows us to walk away from slavery towards freedom, endowing us with real, vital and meaningful hope and tools for action. It is our responsibility to recognize and capture these magical moments and do all we can to have people know the meaning of human rights in their lives. (Imposed ignorance is a human rights violation.) And when they learn they reinvent their lives, adding a vibrant link to the chain of humanity’s expectations for dignity, equality and life without discrimination.

Purpose behind the United Nations

These moments of transcendence, such as the drafting of the UDHR, gave the United Nations its overarching purpose and radiated forcefully the vision for economic and social justice. It was articulated by Member States into human rights norms and standards relevant to the lives of all women, men, youth and children of all places, cultures and religions. During the years, these were framed as Conventions on the elimination of racism, on the human rights of women and of children, of migrants and recently the disabled and more to come.

Many of us gaining this insight acknowledge, spontaneously, our social responsibility and take control of the future to become agents of change. If the community knew human rights directly and without bias, the discussions taking place now would have been moot. Sadly, most people do not know about the many important moral, political and legal benefits Human Rights puts in our hands to claim. (Those working to bring about genuine health care reform for the benefit of all people need to speak of access to health care and other elements of good health as a human right for which we have no other humanely valid option.)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

More than 60 years ago, Eleanor Roosevelt, joined by men and women from more than 80 countries, gave the world the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a “gift” that meant to remove the chains of colonialism, and to never again have humanity experience genocide. The Declaration delivered to humanity a new space to belong, calling for democracy to be a delivery system of human rights—moving charity to dignity.

The human rights framework encompasses the best of Socialism and Democracy, giving us a vibrant political and moral way to conduct our lives with the protection of human rights laws. It makes so much sense.

Making positive change

It is a painful wonder to me why many working to change the world do not use this powerful tool for action. Is it because many international human rights organizations focus mostly on violation and do not bring a comprehensive message to all of us who yearn to realize our hopes and expectations embedded in the rich and powerful human rights agenda? (Indeed economic colonialism is alive and thriving, and genocide did not vanish. There is much to be cynical about. This, fortunately, does not prevent me from being a fanatic about human rights.)

No other option

Human Rights are the banks of the river where life can flow freely, and when the floods threaten us, people who know human rights strengthen the banks, avoiding the floods. A grassroots movement sharing the knowledge of human rights will strengthen the banks of the river.

There is no other option!

-Gizzel Mbaga

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS SHEME

               YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS SHEME

                         ENGAGE and EMPOWER

WHY PROJECT YES/CAREER FAIR

Nigeria Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Nigeria was last reported at 23.9 percent in 2011. Historically, from 2006 until 2011, Nigeria Unemployment Rate averaged 14.60 Percent reaching an all time high of 23.90 Percent in December of 2011 and a record low of 5.30 Percent in December of 2006. The unemployment rate can be defined as the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. This page includes a chart with historical data for Nigeria Unemployment Rate. 

Inadequate skills training Opportunities and Resources:
Quality education and skill acquisition has a direct bearing on national prestige, greatness and cohesion. The knowledge and skill that young people acquire help determine their degree of patriotism and contribution to national integration and progress.

Effects of unemployment in Nigeria:

Every year, over 300,000 graduates are churned out from the tertiary institutions nationwide. This number grows yearly and translates into more and more unemployed people littering the streets of Nigerian cities.

Nigeria’s spiralling youth unemployment has been a significant contributor to the dramatic rise in social unrest and crime e.g. Niger Delta militancy, Boko Haram, Jos Crisis etc.

If young people are provided with skills and empowerment opportunities they can become productive assets and take their part in mainstream society offering the best of their skills and talents.

Why are the youth of Africa unemployed in such high numbers?

    High fertility rates – it is estimated that there are between 8- 10 million new entrants into the African labour market annually

    Low literacy and numeracy rates – Africa has the worst education and skills acquisition outcomes of any continent.

    Investment in Africa remains low despite significant investment opportunities.

    There are information failures and a lack of targeted investments in key labour intensive areas.

Over the years, Education has being the benchmark for every young Nigerian to get employed. Every family will do everything possible to see that their children gain a degree so as to be eligible for a white collar job in our society but this routine is gradually going down the drain because there is high demand of job compared to the supply.

It is time we start embracing the ‘YOUNG ENTREPRENEURE PROGRAM’. It is an initiative that is directed towards adding SKILL and value to the youth and encourage youth to entrepreneurship.

CAREER FAIR is an initiative that is specially structured for secondary school students because secondary school is a decisive stage for young people to choose their future career. CAREER FAIR is a program that will guide students on how to choose the right career.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

    To Provide avenues for the government, non-governmental organizations, civil society and private-sector organizations to understand and respond to youth concerns.

    Support youth information networks

    Share and exchange best practices

    Provide much needed information career based opportunities for youths.

    Pilot and demonstrate new concepts for Learning, participation, collaboration, youth

    Development and societal development.

    To provide a platform for youths to develop a global mindset

    To impact new skills and add value to youths in order to make them global competitors

    To Provide an exciting, quality experience on a diverse cultural platform

    To develop the skills of the members involved in the training

THE PROJECT CONCEPT

Young Entrepreneurs Summit project/Career Fair is set to be implemented in three phases. YES project is targeted towards graduates and undergraduates in

IKA constituency and its environs while CAREER FAIR is targeted toward High school student within IKA constituency.

PHASE 1: PREPARATORY STAGE

During the stage, the projects team will plan around the project, raise the required partners for the projects and ensure that all the projects logistics are put in place for effective delivery.

PARTNERS:

LEARNING PARTNERS-  This category of partners are responsible for providing the learning module for the project. They are also responsible for ensuring the training content.

MEDIA PARTNERS: Media partners are responsible for promoting the project and recognise our financial partners during their programmes.

 FINANCIAL PARTNERS: These categories of partners are very essential to the success of the project. The finance the project and they will be recognised as the proud sponsors of this project.

EXCHANGE PARTICIPANTS: During this period AIESEC Port Harcourt will partner with international students and professional from different countries that will come down to IKA to deliver the project. These interns will be responsible for the delivery of the project.

PHASES 2: DELIVERY

This is the key stage of the project. At this stage, the projects team, learning partners and the interns will arrive Delta to implement the project. The training will run in five different centres around the constituency for a period of six week.

At this phase, Participants will have theoretical sessions on Business development and entrepreneurship by professionals and interns in order to give them insight about Business management. After the theoretical sessions for two weeks, Participants will be trained on several skills ranging from Web designing, catering, small and medium scale enterprise, Event decoration, photo Editing, Programming Languages.

After the skills acquisition training, participants will register for a business plan challenge where they will present a business plan in-line with what they were trained on.  Over 200 youths will be empowered after the contest. The challenge will enable us ascertain the best ideas from the training.

Immediately after the Entrepreneurs summit, the projects team and the interns will move to over 20 secondary schools to organise a CAREER FAIR Program for them. Career sessions will be delivered in these schools so as to enlighten the students on how to choose careers that is in-line with their passion.

During the project, we will incorporate session on creating awareness on issues around CANCER. It is also a platform for us to create awareness and enlighten the youths about cases of CANCER and how it can be prevented.

The project is due to commence by October 2013.

PHASE 3: EVALUATION/REPORT

After the project, the project’s team will come up with a tracking and evaluation systems that will enable us track our participants’ progress in their specific line of business.

A comprehensive report will be submitted to all our partners after the project.

PROMOTIONS STRATEGY:

The Projects team will capitalize on the following Promotion strategies:

    Media

    Posters and Fliers

    Local Government Information System

    Rallies

    Schools’ Internal communication system

    Internet

Key Benefits for Partners

---

The following outlines the key Benefits of been involved in the sponsorship of our project

    Company gets access to youth voice as well as youth audience.

    Social responsibility gotten from participating in a life changing experience for youths that would bring about positive change in the society.

    Access to top local talents of the University.

    Branding opportunity for your company or product.

    An added advantage of your company when compiling an annual report for tax purposes.

    The project can serve as your Corporate Social Responsibility

    The Project will brand you as a major contributor towards Youth Development

    Your Organisation will have access to our international talent pool

    The Project with create Relevance of your Organisation and you in the society

    You will have the access to promote yourself and Products during our training sessions.

    You will have access to sell yourself or product with our media partners.

PROJECT BUDGET

ITEM	UNIT	AMOUNT[N]
Venue	5	500,000
Transportation of Interns and Projects Team from Port Harcourt to Delta State	10 Interns + 10 Project members	100,000
Accommodation of Interns and Trainers	6 weeks	220,000
Feeding for Interns and Trainers	6weeks	150,000
Branded T-Shirt	1000 copies	150,000
Training Materials		300,000
Logistics		250,000
Empowerment Fund	200 youths	500,000
MISCELLENOUS		100,000
TOTAL		2,270,000

If you want to be part of this Life Changing Programme, Please leave a comment or contact me on francis.omorojie@aiesec.net or +2348065267030

To Gizzele

Life is a process! I never thought I can be affected by someone in my life so much.My mindset about interpersonal relationship changed immediately i met this angel who came into my life without me knowing. I now have a new perspective about life and i can say that am a better person because i have encountered someone so special! so indispensable! so Charming.I will forever keep you in my heart.Anytime i think about you, I feel so heavy, I feel like crying.I cant wait to meet you again and i will not depart from you anymore because I cant bear it again seeing you go.I love you Gizzele

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

My concept of leadership is not about handling public positions or being a public figure but leadership starts from leading one's self. Many a time people criticize the Ugly leadership of our society! Yes! everyone knows the dwindling nature of Africa's Leadership but what I always ask is what have we as individuals done in our little way to avert the incidence of the devastating nature of our Leadership.
We are not conscious of the little positions we hold in our respective churches, associations, School Unions. If we don't we run these little positions to display some certain level of integrity and good leadership, I wonder why we expect major office holders to do magic! As they say: "CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME" For you to be good leader, you must start showing the dividend of good leadership to the little people you are handling.