A former member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Ogbeni Lai Oke has suggested the need for government at all levels to first tackle the disturbing rate of unemployment among the youths if it must succeed in the fight against crime.
According to Ogbeni Lai Oke, poverty and idleness are major factors contributing to crime in the country noting that government must begin to look for possible ways to engage more youths and take them off the street.
The lawmaker who represented Ijero constituency spoke with Roundoffnews on the telephone during a reaction to the state of insecurity in Ekiti State which he said needed urgent attention of government.
Ogbeni Lai Oke explained that one of the major responsibility of government is to protect the lives and property of every citizen hence the need for government to look into the fundamentals in addressing the wanton killings and kidnapping that had subjected people to fear and panic.
He noted that many youths have ventured into criminal activities out of pressure and quest to survive urging government to create more industries and institutions that could employ thousands of graduates roaming the street.
“He said, instead of sacking workers, we should try and employ more people because an idle hand is a ready made tool for the devil.
” I remember while we were in government during the reign of Eng Segun Oni more than five thousand youths were employed into the civil service and that development brought about peace and progress in the state.
“The Segun Oni led government also created different opportunities and conducive environment that made most of our youths to key into farming and entrepreneurship.The state was peaceful then, every youth was engaged and crime rate was almost at zero level.
“To cap it up was the prompt payment of gratuities which also brought relief to many homes and this are things we expect from government and not unnecessary aggrandizement.
The lawmaker however appealed to youths to have a rethink and acquire some skill acquisitions that could earn them a living in the absence of white cola jobs.
