IN ADDRESSING THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM IN NIGERIA – THE NEED TO EMULATE THE JEWISH PHENOMENON
January 23, 2021 | News
In one of his recent sermons, in a short video circulated online, Tunde Bakare, who has been described as being one of the most politically influential pastors in Nigeria, made a very valid point on how we can address the unemployment problem in Nigeria.
IN ADDRESSING THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM IN NIGERIA – THE NEED TO EMULATE THE JEWISH PHENOMENON
In one of his recent sermons, in a short video circulated online, Tunde Bakare, who has been described as being one of the most politically influential pastors in Nigeria, made a very valid point on how we can address the unemployment problem in Nigeria. While I believe the Nigerian Government still has its important roles to play in creating the enabling environment and friendly people-oriented policies to address this problem, but the truth is that the major hard work should start from the people themselves.
In his words, Tunde Bakare started by asking the question of what can we do to engage all these our employable and unemployable graduates of our great country? It is simply by them, following the Jewish phenomenon, which is geared towards USING YOUR SKILLS AND PASSION to become a creator of employment – entrepreneur. Bakare went on and gave examples, of the fact that the Agbada he was wearing in the church that day, was made by a woman. A graduate from the University of Ibadan, who started the business some years ago. Even when her husband stepped into politics, and became two-time Governor of Ogun State, she kept doing her business, and she’s still doing that business. He was referring to Mrs. Yeye Olufunke Daniel, wife of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, who is simply a graduate that followed her passion of making good Nigerian native clothes.
Bakare also pointed other examples, of another woman who read Architecture in the University of Ife, but today she’s an employer of labour who deals on Asoke (A Yoruba traditional attire). And another example of someone who studied Pharmacy at the University of Ibadan, but today she cooks delicious meals, and that’s where she’s making a lot of money from for her family. The truth is, some people need to eat their certificate, and stop seeking for jobs.
According to Bakare, “the Jewish Phenomenon states that with your certificate, you must learn another trade/acquire another skill because you can be dispersed at any time and taken to another place, where your certificate will not get you anything. But with what you have learned as a skill, you can still fend for yourself and your family….”
He noted the scary fact that: “we are growing at a rate of six million people per year in Nigeria. Where are we going to get Six million jobs every year from? The future does not belong to job seekers, it belongs to job creators. It belongs to entrepreneurs. So, what do you know how to do? You bury your talents, and carry your certificates with the nickname of Applicant? Applicant my foot. The problem is created by you because you’re depriving others of the talent you carry that could create jobs for more people.
“Government cannot keep on employing people. That’s not their job. In fact, the Nigerian Civil Service should be slashed into two. We have an over-bloated Government. It should be slashed, and let us empower our citizens, introduce them to what is called the Jewish Phenomenon. So that everyone has a trade/skill. Even the disciples of Jesus all had something to do, either as a fisherman, a farmer or something. Joseph in the Bible said to his brothers, I am taking you to meet Pharaoh the King of Egypt, and he will ask you only one question; not what is your certificate? Not what diploma did you receive? He will ask you WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION. To the lazy man that comes to church, when you’re going home you ask for transport fare from people, I ask: what can you do with your hands so you can provide for your family?”
While I appreciate what Tunde Bakare has said, but there is an aspect he did not factor in. He did not talk about the important role of Government in providing the enabling environment for private businesses to thrive easily. Even those who would like to start their own businesses are not supported by the Nigerian Banks and Government Institutions, with soft loans. Often times, the collateral and conditions attached are too difficult for young aspiring Entrepreneurs to meet. Also, even when the Banks and Government Institutions provide loans/aids, it is the political goons/bouncers/thugs that will be considered and given. And they often don’t pay back the loans. But those with the business ideas and the genuine mind to set-up businesses, will not be given.
Pastor Tunde Bakari is a friend of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC leaders. He should advise President Buhari, who was his former senior running Presidential mate, and his APC leader's friends, to provide the enabling environment for small scale businesses/trade to thrive in Nigeria. Especially since he has unlimited access to them. Think of it, how many young Nigerian graduates that have the initial capital to start-up a small-scale trade/business or any other occupation? Bakare's advice should go to his friends in Aso Rock, who are the current leaders of Nigeria. People are suffering hardships under this government, and many youths are pushed into crimes of all kinds, while some Nigerian girls have taken prostitution as an occupation and going as far as Dubai. While some young men have taken to internet fraud (yahoo business), kidnapping, armed robbery, etc. The government at all levels still has a lot to do for things to be better.
When a man is able to earn a living to take care of himself and provide for his family, there is little or nothing for the society to worry about regarding such a man doing the unthinkable that can disrupt public peace and harmony. But when this is not the case, society should rest assured that its youthful population that are not gainfully employed or engaged in worthwhile economic activities, will continue to pose as threats to the sanctity and peace of such a society. Unfortunately, Nigeria is one country that has been battling with the cankerworm of ‘unemployment’ of its able-bodied youths for as long as we can remember. And the situation is getting worst by the day.
While the above Jewish Phenomenon should become a focal point for all and sundry, in addressing the unemployment problem in the country and taking the burden away from the shoulders of the Government, but let it be reiterated here that this Jewish Phenomenon would thrive easily when the Nigerian Government at all levels have created the enabling environment. When we have a steady electricity supply, good road networks, reliable and functional Government Institutions, business-friendly policies, etc., then it becomes a lot easier for people to delve into creation jobs/Entrepreneurial enterprises. The Jewish people thrive because they have before them, a system that works, which their leaders helped in creating a foundation for all else to be built on.
The bottom line is that Government should demonstrate a readiness to address the problem of youth unemployment as a “national security priority” through a partnership involving the agricultural sector, public sector, private sector, voluntary sector, and multi-laterals. Aside from the government, other thriving areas of our national life should also be involved in job creation.
Zik Gbemre.
January 23, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
In one of his recent sermons, in a short video circulated online, Tunde Bakare, who has been described as being one of the most politically influential pastors in Nigeria, made a very valid point on how we can address the unemployment problem in Nigeria. While I believe the Nigerian Government still has its important roles to play in creating the enabling environment and friendly people-oriented policies to address this problem, but the truth is that the major hard work should start from the people themselves.
In his words, Tunde Bakare started by asking the question of what can we do to engage all these our employable and unemployable graduates of our great country? It is simply by them, following the Jewish phenomenon, which is geared towards USING YOUR SKILLS AND PASSION to become a creator of employment – entrepreneur. Bakare went on and gave examples, of the fact that the Agbada he was wearing in the church that day, was made by a woman. A graduate from the University of Ibadan, who started the business some years ago. Even when her husband stepped into politics, and became two-time Governor of Ogun State, she kept doing her business, and she’s still doing that business. He was referring to Mrs. Yeye Olufunke Daniel, wife of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, who is simply a graduate that followed her passion of making good Nigerian native clothes.
Bakare also pointed other examples, of another woman who read Architecture in the University of Ife, but today she’s an employer of labour who deals on Asoke (A Yoruba traditional attire). And another example of someone who studied Pharmacy at the University of Ibadan, but today she cooks delicious meals, and that’s where she’s making a lot of money from for her family. The truth is, some people need to eat their certificate, and stop seeking for jobs.
According to Bakare, “the Jewish Phenomenon states that with your certificate, you must learn another trade/acquire another skill because you can be dispersed at any time and taken to another place, where your certificate will not get you anything. But with what you have learned as a skill, you can still fend for yourself and your family….”
He noted the scary fact that: “we are growing at a rate of six million people per year in Nigeria. Where are we going to get Six million jobs every year from? The future does not belong to job seekers, it belongs to job creators. It belongs to entrepreneurs. So, what do you know how to do? You bury your talents, and carry your certificates with the nickname of Applicant? Applicant my foot. The problem is created by you because you’re depriving others of the talent you carry that could create jobs for more people.
“Government cannot keep on employing people. That’s not their job. In fact, the Nigerian Civil Service should be slashed into two. We have an over-bloated Government. It should be slashed, and let us empower our citizens, introduce them to what is called the Jewish Phenomenon. So that everyone has a trade/skill. Even the disciples of Jesus all had something to do, either as a fisherman, a farmer or something. Joseph in the Bible said to his brothers, I am taking you to meet Pharaoh the King of Egypt, and he will ask you only one question; not what is your certificate? Not what diploma did you receive? He will ask you WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION. To the lazy man that comes to church, when you’re going home you ask for transport fare from people, I ask: what can you do with your hands so you can provide for your family?”
While I appreciate what Tunde Bakare has said, but there is an aspect he did not factor in. He did not talk about the important role of Government in providing the enabling environment for private businesses to thrive easily. Even those who would like to start their own businesses are not supported by the Nigerian Banks and Government Institutions, with soft loans. Often times, the collateral and conditions attached are too difficult for young aspiring Entrepreneurs to meet. Also, even when the Banks and Government Institutions provide loans/aids, it is the political goons/bouncers/thugs that will be considered and given. And they often don’t pay back the loans. But those with the business ideas and the genuine mind to set-up businesses, will not be given.
Pastor Tunde Bakari is a friend of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC leaders. He should advise President Buhari, who was his former senior running Presidential mate, and his APC leader's friends, to provide the enabling environment for small scale businesses/trade to thrive in Nigeria. Especially since he has unlimited access to them. Think of it, how many young Nigerian graduates that have the initial capital to start-up a small-scale trade/business or any other occupation? Bakare's advice should go to his friends in Aso Rock, who are the current leaders of Nigeria. People are suffering hardships under this government, and many youths are pushed into crimes of all kinds, while some Nigerian girls have taken prostitution as an occupation and going as far as Dubai. While some young men have taken to internet fraud (yahoo business), kidnapping, armed robbery, etc. The government at all levels still has a lot to do for things to be better.
When a man is able to earn a living to take care of himself and provide for his family, there is little or nothing for the society to worry about regarding such a man doing the unthinkable that can disrupt public peace and harmony. But when this is not the case, society should rest assured that its youthful population that are not gainfully employed or engaged in worthwhile economic activities, will continue to pose as threats to the sanctity and peace of such a society. Unfortunately, Nigeria is one country that has been battling with the cankerworm of ‘unemployment’ of its able-bodied youths for as long as we can remember. And the situation is getting worst by the day.
While the above Jewish Phenomenon should become a focal point for all and sundry, in addressing the unemployment problem in the country and taking the burden away from the shoulders of the Government, but let it be reiterated here that this Jewish Phenomenon would thrive easily when the Nigerian Government at all levels have created the enabling environment. When we have a steady electricity supply, good road networks, reliable and functional Government Institutions, business-friendly policies, etc., then it becomes a lot easier for people to delve into creation jobs/Entrepreneurial enterprises. The Jewish people thrive because they have before them, a system that works, which their leaders helped in creating a foundation for all else to be built on.
The bottom line is that Government should demonstrate a readiness to address the problem of youth unemployment as a “national security priority” through a partnership involving the agricultural sector, public sector, private sector, voluntary sector, and multi-laterals. Aside from the government, other thriving areas of our national life should also be involved in job creation.
Zik Gbemre.
January 23, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes