Akwa Ibom Graduates’ Forum cries out “We are suffering”

BY KENNETH JUDE

Akwa Ibom State graduates have under the umbrella of Akwa Ibom Graduates Forum (AIGFO) decried the rate of unemployment amongst them in the state. They made their grievances known last Saturday at a conference organised for graduates of the state at APAIU Hotel along Ibrahim Babangida Avenue, Uyo. 

Giving a speech at the occasion, Hon. Isangobong Eyibo, the immediate past president of the group expressed displeasure at the marginalisation of youths of the country nay Akwa Ibom from the scheme of things. He noted that while those they grew up to learn from, years back are still those angling to lead today in various capacities; the youths have not been given a place in the democratic configuration of the nation. In his words: “today, we are here to make our voice known to the society as future leaders who are exposed academically, professionally and otherwise. We are youths of Akwa Ibom State who have tasted the four-walls of education to the university level. 

We are ripe for leadership position as some of us are members of the Nigeria Youth Parliament, Community leaders, chairman of parastatals etc. We are policy makers and our various professions can proffer input and meaningful suggestion to the development of our society. We have been marginalised over the years in major decisions in our state and this has led to massive unemployment among the youths of the state. Hence, we want the government to clearly define the position of graduates regarding human capacity building, industrialisation, economic integration and self-sustainability.” 

He also called on the youths to step forward and take-up leadership position, rather than remaining in their shell, adding that “until one brings out his/her drums, play and begin to dance, such a person will remain unnoticed.’’ He paid tributes to the Godswill Akpabio-led administration, noting that the Governor has turned the state into a world-class city, acknowledging that he has also been able to employ over 50 percent of youths in his administration. He further observed that what the state needs now is robust industrialisation especially as the present government had promised to cite one industry per local government in the state.
Delivering the keynote address at the occasion, Comrade Michael Efffiom called on the graduates to take their destiny in their hands. He observed that the time for youths to take a stand in the state is long overdue and hence, all hands must be on deck to actualise what they are agitating for. In his words: 

‘’you deserve the best. From my research on the various definitions of democracy, i discovered that democracy is a system of government whereby all the citizens of that polity have access to equal ration of formal power; and the means of partaking in that formal power is by being a voter. Once you are entitled to cast a vote, then you should be entitled to formal power.’’ He also noted that if relevant industries are not built in the state, the by-product is that the dreams and aspirations of the youths will go into ruins. He also called on the youths to be peaceful in their conducts as, according to him, it is one of the things government expect from them. He called for cooperation amongst them to ensure the emergence of a credible candidate who will unearth the natural resources embedded in the state and challenged them to always speak-up and refuse to suffer in silence.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Emmanuel Obot expressed that ‘’we have the right to education; we need the right to participate in the government of Nigeria and Akwa Ibom state. I am itching to see us grow in life because I have not been living well since my graduation in 2004. We need a responsible government. The youths can manage corporations and take up good leadership positions.’’ He submitted. 

Also speaking on the kind of leader the state needs, Mr. John Sam stated: “we need a candidate that will be there for us. I need employment because if you don’t wear the shoes of unemployment, you will not know where it pinches. Mobil Headquarters should be brought back to Akwa Ibom state because we now have the facilities to accommodate it. For all those seeking to govern the state from May 29 2015, the graduates have agreed unanimously that they should all come and address the Forum where they will have the platform to present their manifestos.” 

Others who spoke called for an understanding between the aspirants and graduates of the state, canvassing that they should be given a listening ear so that meaningful and impactful projects will be carried out. The youths maintained that they need to be heard because they are hungry as a result of unemployment and underemployment. 

A member of the group urged the graduates to look more into the area of skill acquisition and resist being used as tools of destruction by politicians for money. He told the youths that the mentality of a man is the totality of a man hence; they should take the bull by the horn.