Youth Day: Epe NYCN Expresses Concern Over Startling Unemployment Rate

By Kaka Babatunde and Zainab Olanrewaju

Epe NYCN Set To Mark National Youth Day 2020 Tagged ” Flattening The Curve Of Unemployment In Nigeria: Youths On Call.

The Epe branch of national youth Council of Nigeria has called on the government to find a drastic solution to high unemployment rate that pervades the country.

The association made the call at an event set aside to mark the 2020 national youth day titled “flattening the curve of unemployment in Nigeria: youths on call”

The event will come up on Saturday, 7th November, 2020 at Epe Local Government Council Chambers, Ita- Marun, and will be chiefly hosted by Hon. Adedoyin Adesanya, the Executive chairman Epe local government.

Comrade Oladele Olúwa Seyi, Chairman of the Epe NYCN, said the youths have a role to play to mitigate the effects of unemployment on the country.

He said “Unemployment is no doubt a huge threat to national growth and development as its hydra headed outcome is a ticking time bomb. This is due to the fact that it’s multiplier effect in terms of poverty and insecurity cuts across every fabric of our National life.

“Youth unemployment rate refers to the percentage of the unemployed in the age group of 15-24 years as compared to the total labour force. According to Statista, between 2003 to 2020, Nigeria’s Youth unemployment rate rose from 9.57% to 14.17% based on estimates from International Labour Organization, an agency of United Nations developing policies to set labor standards.

“According to National Bureau of Statistics, 13.9 million Nigerian youths are unemployed. It further revealed that Nigeria’s unemployment rate as at second quarter of 2020 is 27.1% indicating that about 21, 764, 614 ( 21.7 million) Nigerians remain unemployed. Nigeria’s unemployment and underemployment rate (28.6%) is a combined 55.7%.
The data reveals that the worst hit are Nigerian youths with over 13.9 million currently unemployed as stated earlier. In Q3 2018, the last time the report was released, there were about 13.1 million youths unemployed. Youths between the ages 15-24 have about 6.8 million nigerians out of jobs and another 7.1 million also unemployed.

“In a simpler break down, youths between ages 15-24% accounts for 40.8%, followed by ages 25-34 years at 30.7%. NCE/OND and Nursing recorded an unemployment rate of 30.8% while second degree holders (M.Sc/MS?MAdm) stood at 22.9%. Unemployed Doctorate degree holders recorded 23.3%.”

He noted that the youths of Epe were not in anyway immune to the dangers and pains of unemployment.

“Youths from Epe, one of the five administrative divisions in the land of aquatic splendor and center of excellence, Lagos state are in no way exempted from the horrors, agonies and pains of unemployment, particularly higher institutions of learning graduates whose dreams of getting employed has been shattered.

“Under the didtinguished leadership of Comrade Oladele Oluwaseyi, this year’s celebration of National Youth Day seem to be directed towards the responsibility of youths as regard flattening the curve of unemployment in Nigeria. This will definitey be a wake up call to our teeming unemployed youth population to take the bull by the horns . Coming up this Saturday, 7th November, 2020 at Epe Local Government Council Chambers, Ita- Marun, th event will be chiefly hosted by Hon. Adedoyin Adesanya, the Executive chairman Epe local government.” he said

The celebrations will be graced under the traditional leadership of eminent Epe Royal Fathers, Oba Shefiu Olatunji Adewale, the Olu Epe of Epe and Oba Kamorudeen Ishola ANimashaun, the Oloja of Epe land. Guest lecturers billed to speak at the event are Hon. Saliu Adeniyi, Executive Chairman, Eredo LCDA and Mr. Tobi Idowu, Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University. While Alhaji Taofeek Fowosere, CEO Foltar filling Station will be the Chairman of the day, Alhaja Rasakat Adenike Tobun, the Iya Adinni of Epe Central Mosque, is the mother of the day.

Against the backdrop of the relative peace and tranquility experienced during the Endsars protests fall out in Epe while some cities in Lagos were torched and looted, this year’s edition of the National Youth Day is no doubt worthy to celebrate.
Indeed, it is high time youths aligned themselves towards no other language than peace and restraint in the face of any form of political, social or economic provocation for the benefit of all.