The president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been urged by a group operating under the banner of Northern Christian Youth Professionals to take into consideration hiring 185,000 young Nigerians as forest guards to defend citizens from the feared Boko Haram.
The panel recommended that the president make this choice during his first six months in office.
The request comes just four days after Voice of America reported that northern Cameroon authorities had asked Nigeria and Chad for more troops to be sent to their shared border after learning that Boko Haram terrorists had killed no less than 12 people, including six soldiers, on Tuesday.
The decision was made at a crisis conference after reports of a new wave of insurgent attacks, military and government officials in the Central African state’s northern border with Nigeria revealed.
Evidence suggests that Boko Haram is still actively attacking communities, despite rumors that the terrorist group may have been weakened as a result of continual dislodging by forces of the Nigerian army and its Cameroonian counterpart near the northern borders.
Under the auspices of Northern Christian Youth Professionals, a group of Arewa youngsters expressed outrage over the return 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 past 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.
In order to protect our forests from the risks posed by Boko Haram, robbers, and other violent groups, he stated, “We would like to highlight your vow to reinvigorate the forest guards. We acknowledge the importance of this duty and the potential influence it might have on national security. The revitalized forest guards could hire and employ 175 000 young Nigerians in the first six months, fulfilling the promise of 1 million employment from the digital economy.
We have great confidence in your ability to carry out this ambitious plan within the first six months of your administration based on your experience as governor of Lagos State, where you successfully utilized 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.
“Congratulations on your inauguration as the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 16th president. May the Lord give you discernment, fortitude, and divine direction as you manage the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. We are excited to see the improvements your leadership will bring to our wonderful country.
