Governor Kashim Shettima, in Borno State Governor on Friday, May 29, 2019 during his inauguration statement, pledged to invest more energy on the creation of jobs, lamenting that the current level of unemployment has turned many energetic youths into “political trekkers.”
The governor made this shortly after he took the oaths of office and allegiance alongside his deputy, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha at the Ramat Square in Maiduguri, administered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Kashim Zannah.
Governor Shettima said “We are seriously worried by the throng of unemployed youths in Borno State. An idle and desperate mind is often vulnerable to external manoeuvre.”
Shettima used the podium to express that he did not intend to disrespect some Nigerian youths that invented a new way of celebration by embarking on long distance trekking, noting that it is unemployment that paved way for the time an environment for embarking on such exercise.
He said, “I really do not think any youth that is gainfully employed could have embarked on trekking for weeks. For me, I have taken note of two messages from these trekkers.
“The first message is a strong and bold reminder that there are no jobs for the youths in Nigeria.
“The second, which I consider more seriously, is that Nigerian youths have the courage and strength to do what many leaders never thought they could do.
“If youths can trek from one state to another, it means they have potential for good use while they have strength to revolt like Lions in the event they are pushed to the wall.
“We must create jobs for Nigerian youths.”
Finally, He lamented that the Boko Haram insurgents had brought untold sufferings to the people of Borno state, alleging that the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan did not do enough to save the situation.
