Prelate Tasks Tinubu on Policies to Tackle Youth Unemployment, Poverty, Enable Businesses

Peter Uzoho and Oluchi Chibuzor

Worried by the rising youth unemployment, intractable poverty and difficult business environment in Nigeria, the Prelate of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Worldwide, Dr. David Bob-Manuel, has called on President Bola Tinubu, to initiate policies to address the challenges.

Addressing journalists yesterday, in Lagos, at a press conference, which was part of the ongoing programmes marking his sixth annual induction thanksgiving as the Prelate, the cleric urged Tinubu to urgently reform labour market regulation in order to ensure jobs for the teeming youths in Nigeria.

Bob-Manuel explained that when the needed reforms were made, many youths would be gainfully employed, resulting in poverty alleviation and drastic reduction of bandits’ cells and vulnerable citizens across the country.

The Prelate, who gave the theme of this year’s induction thanksgiving service as, “Made Alive in Christ”, however, stated that, “The government of President Bola Tinubu can review and reform labour market regulations to make it easier for businesses to thrive and provide job security for workers.

“Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises through access to finance, training and infrastructure stimulates job creation and entrepreneurship. If all these suggestions are brought to fore and implemented, it will enhance productivity and reduce criminality to the barest minimum.”

Regarding the cost of living crisis worsened by the removal of petrol scarcity, Bob-Manuel enjoined all the tiers of government to aggressively support farming practices and agribusiness in order to generate employment in the rural areas.

He regretted that this crisis made the lives of the vulnerable citizens miserable, while imploring the government to urgently implement social safety programmes which would protect the vulnerable population from the impact of higher fuel prices.

The Prelate further said, “This may be in the form of provision of fertilizers to farmers, monetary transfers to the vulnerable, subsidies for essential goods and improved transportation system.

“Furthermore, I implore government at all levels to improve the quality of education and vocational training programs in order to equip the youths with the relevant skills for the job market.”