A group operating under the auspices of Northern Christian Youth Professionals has urged the country’s president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to consider hiring 185,000 young Nigerians as forest guards for the sole purpose of defending forest from the Boko Haram.
According to the organisation, the president should make this choice during his first six months in office.
The appeal comes just four days after the Voice of America reported that authorities in northern Cameroon had asked for more troops to be sent from Nigeria and Chad to their shared border after learning that terrorists from Boko Haram had killed no less than 12 people, including six soldiers, on Tuesday.
The decision was made during a crisis conference amid reports of a new wave of rebel attacks, military and government officials in the Central African state’s northern border with Nigeria said.
Evidence suggests that Boko Haram is still actively targeting villages, despite rumours that the terrorist group may have been weakened as a consequence of continual dislodging by forces of the Nigerian army and its Cameroonian counterpart near the northern borders.
A group of Arewa youngsters affiliated with Northern Christian Youth Professionals spoke about their fury at the emergence of the feared Boko Haram.
The group’s chairman, Isaac Abrak, begged President Bola Tinubu to take action to address the security issues plaguing the north, claiming that experience has demonstrated that the military cannot quell insurgency on its own.
Therefore, Abrak encouraged the Federal Government to take into account hiring 185,000 youngsters to support the military’s efforts as part of its mission to create one million employment for Nigerians.
He stated-
“We would like to highlight your promise to revitalize the forest guards, an initiative that holds immense significance in securing our forests from the threats of Boko Haram, bandits, and other violent groups. We recognise the magnitude of this task and the impact it can have on national security, the revitalised forest guards can recruit and employ one hundred and eighty-five thousand young Nigerians within the first six months in fulfilment of one million jobs promised from the digital economy.
“Drawing from your experience as governor of Lagos State, where you successfully utilised mass youth employment through the establishment of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency and your Vice President, Kashim Shettima’s instrumental role in establishing the Civilian Joint Task Force as governor in Borno, we have great confidence in your ability to make this ambitious plan a reality within the first six months of your administration.
“Congratulations on your inauguration as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May the Lord grant you wisdom, strength, and divine guidance as you navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the positive changes your leadership will bring to our great nation.”
cc: Punch Ng
