Realistically, the problem of unemployment does not exist in this country. Nigerians only need to discover the three basic factors which must be in place for the country to assume her natural status of available job opportunities, prosperity and progress. There is no doubt that the recent loss of lives as a result of recruitment by National Immigration Service puts the Nation in a bad light. The said incident is a testament to the fact of the artificial unemployment situation in the Country. Needless to say, this situation is very deplorable, uncalled for and totally unacceptable, especially because of the abundant natural resources bestowed on our fatherland by God Almighty. It therefore becomes very regrettable to acknowledge the fact that in spite of the gifts of God for this Nation – set back such as lack of job persists in the Country. As we may all know unemployment is the leading cause of high crime rates, lack of development and slow growth margin of the economy in many Countries of the World including Nigeria.
Sincerely, Nigerians must take cognizance of the fact that unemployment in the Nation is a consequence of several problems. Therefore, the sure way of creating meaningful employment in order to reverse the present situation of lack of jobs is the dire need to recognize, understand and find a means of tackling all factors responsible for unemployment Nation- wide.
On the other hand, no matter the seriousness of unemployment problems in the Country, the generally anticipated solution to it is that of creation of jobs or employment opportunities. However, the truth remains that in order to end unemployment anywhere in the World, adequate analysis and clear understanding of the problem must be obtained in relation to certain contributory factors such as geographical location, environmental conditions,
economics importance, etc of that part of the World. This is because without due consideration of the above mentioned areas, there cannot be recovery or meaningful solution to job scarcity. On this basis, some factors have been identified and highlighted in this article as key factors promoting unemployment in the Nation Nigeria.
Actually, recent discoveries showed that there are three major factors responsible for unemployment in Nigeria. Specifically, these factors are: indiscipline, lack of appreciation and lack of production. Without any doubt, we would all agree to the fact that indiscipline is the leading cause of corruption which in turn results in destruction of the Nation. Again, any keen observer would be quick to note that a good deal of natural and human resources tend towards depreciation because of the lack of appreciation and a resulting misappropriation of these resources.
More so, Industrialization is seen as the promoter of great economies through out the World. As a matter of fact, when a Nation does not give adequate attentions to Industrialization, then such Nation may drift into the abyss of unemployment. In sincerity, until a Nation takes the important decision as to “what to produce, how to produce and for whom to produce,” such Nation would remain in economic obscurity, especially in the absence of effective economic management.
Consequently, all the above stated discoveries led to a new recovery scheme which formed the basis for this article, which is titled. “Unemployment and My vision on Agricultural for Nigerians” In a nutshell, the said vision entails re-equipment of the Agricultural Department of the 774 Local Government Areas, respectively, with Commercial farming equipments and machineries.
In addition, all Communities under each Local Government Area must own and successfully manage a common Community farm, respectively. In the light of this, the head of the Community (Emir, Chief or Oba as the case maybe) shall be empowered by law to oversee the activities of the various
Community farms. Also, in accordance with this vision, all the Communities under a Local Government Area shall have free access to the farm equipments and machineries for use in their various Community farms, in line with a drafted scheme that would allow for uniform rotation of the equipments round the farms.
Basically, this vision suggest that state Government must ensure the success of the above recommended Community farms by embarking on relevant Agricultural programs with the objective of sustaining the farms. Also; setting up of small processing Industries, assistance in machinery maintenance, investment in transportation of Agricultural produce for interstate markets, documentation and taxation of the farms are some of the responsibilities of the State Government.
Additionally, Federal Government must continue to upgrade her present policies on Agriculture in the country and ensure increase in the yearly budget to the Agriculture Sector. Also; provision of farm machines to all the 774 local Government Areas, setting up of Agro-allied Industries, creation of Agricultural extension workers corps, as well as restructuring of the various University Curriculums to focus on improvement of Agricultural practices in Nigeria shall be responsibilities of Federal Government. More responsibilities that would be shouldered by Federal Government, includes: encouragement of students to apply for Agriculture related courses and setting aside a day for the celebration of Agriculture Nation-wide.
Another very crucial means of Federal Government intervention with regards to this vision is that of comprehensive integration of all the Agricultural Institutions in the Country. By this, it is hoped that new methods and products could be created that would fast-track the development of the Agriculture sector, in line with modern Agricultural practices. To this end, Federal Government must ensure that all the various Research Institutes in the country are result-oriented. There is therefore a crucial need for all such Institutions to be networked so that they could work hand-in-hand with other similar Institutions. For instance, Universities of Agriculture, Agro-allied Industries, Large Scale Commercial Farms, Universities of Science and technology to name but a few need to be properly integrated for Agricultural development in the Nation.
Furthermore, Federal Government must encourage the various Non-Governmental Organizations, NGO to invest in Agriculture in Nigeria. For instance, the 25 banks in the Country could be encouraged to own and successfully run large commercial farms or set-up processing Industries. These could serve as criteria for business operation for banks in Nigeria. Similarly, larger organizations for instance, oil companies, telecommunication giants, local and other foreign investors could be made to invest in storage facilities or set up small processing Industries, Agro allied Industries and what have you, for the enhancement of modern Agricultural practices in Nigeria.
Finally from a general point of view, it could be said that the design of the Nigerian National flag was divinely inspired by God. If this is true, then the National flag holds a clear message to all Nigerians. The green-white-green colour of our strongest symbol of identity as Nigerians also sends strong signals of Agricultural practices to the World at large. Therefore all Nigerians must note that our Faith and Unity, Peace and Progress which is represented by the white colour of the National flag is enshrined in the green colours which stand for Agriculture. As a matter of fact, the constant breach of peace as well as many other problems in the country could be blamed on the fact that the people of Nigerian have not been totally and gainfully engaged in the practices of Agriculture. Consequently until all Nigerians find value in Agriculture, our peace and progress may be at stake.
In conclusion and most importantly, I personally can not think of another industry that is capable of replacing Agriculture in terms of job creation to a teaming population totaling about two hundred million like ours. Therefore, it becomes crystal clear that gainful Agricultural practices alone could end unemployment in this part of the World, empower people thereof and generally strengthen the economy. Also, Community farms would bring about Communal integration and security consciousness due to the common economic base it would bring to the various Communities. Fundamentally, the much talked about need for entrepreneurship would be focused in the direction of our largest and most reliable Industry which is Agriculture. By due consideration and proper implementation of the above explained vision, we (Nigerians) stand the chance to becoming World giant in both farm produce and finished Agricultural products, on which more than half population of the World could rely on, for food. This is my vision on Agriculture for Nigeria.
Otaru John is a corps member serving in Kwara State.
