By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the lifting of embargo on employment in the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE, by the Rivers State Government, the South South Youth Initiative, SSYI, has urged the government to extend the employment to other ministries and parastatals in the state.
Reacting to the development, National President of SSYI, Comrade Imeabe Oscar Saviour commended the State Governor, Nyesom Wike for the gesture but urged him to show more sincerity by extending it to all sectors of the state.
He said what the state needs now is 60, 000 jobs to accommodate the teeming unemployed youths.
“In as much as we would commend the Governor for making the pronouncement, we also note that the state falls short of the expectation of teeming unemployed youths in the state”.
“Maybe, this is coming following our earlier letter to His Excellency, detailing the reasons he should create 60,000 jobs for the state to reduce the threatening level of unemployment, or expect us take over the streets of Rivers State in protest. This move by the governor is below the bar and it is unacceptable,” Imeabe stated.
He added: “What we want is that embargo on employment should be lifted in all sectors of the state. This would in turn boost the economy of the state”.
“Declaring to employ people in Ignatius Ajuru University, the questions now are how many persons will be employed? What then happens to other sectors? Why did he not lift embargo on employment in all sectors of the state if he was sincere to create jobs?.
He insisted: “We are urging the governor to lift employment embargo in all sectors of the state. This will even increase more of the required 60,000 jobs. We want the governor to be sincere and committed to the people of Rivers State, If he means well for the people of Rivers State, he should take steps to give employment. We insist that 60,000 jobs should be created, anything short of that will not be acceptable”.
