Reps ask Buhari to declare state of emergency on unemployment

The house of representatives has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on unemployment in the country.

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution after Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, moved a motion for the consideration of the report on national security summit at the “committee of the whole” presided over by Idris Wase, deputy speaker.

While moving the motion, Gbajabiamila said the summit was held to generate ideas in tackling insecurity in the country.

He added that the committee met with stakeholders and security experts in which suggestions were provided.

Subsequently, the recommendations of the report were voted and adopted by the lawmakers.

In April, the green chamber set up an ad hoc committee to organise a security summit as part of efforts to restore peace across the country.

The move came after the lawmakers passed a resolution asking Buhari to declare a state of emergency over the nation’s security challenges.

According to the report approved by the lawmakers on Tuesday, poverty is the main “driver” of insecurity in the country.

“Target poverty as a must; as poverty is the main driver for all the insecurity issues currently prevalent across the nation,” parts of the report read.

“This can be done through a focus on infrastructure and a new jobs’ creation drive and initiative by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Executive is also urged to consider doing even more by declaring a state of emergency on job creation considering the high rate of unemployment.”

Gbajabiamila said the the leadership of house will meet the president after plenary on Tuesday to present the report to him for implementation.