Youth employment: A right, not a privilege

By Chief Dr. Patrick Osagie Eholor

I write to you today not just as a business owner or a social activist but as a passionate advocate for the rights and welfare of the Nigerian youth.

Today, I witnessed an event that highlights a disturbing trend in our society — the near closure of my business due to alleged safety hazards, even though this very establishment provides jobs, stability, and opportunities for young people in our community and it has all the necessary safety equipment.

Not only did the Lagos State Safety Authorities seal up the hotel without a fair hearing, but federal police were also involved in the action, exacerbating the situation unnecessarily.

It is important to understand that every business, whether large or small, plays a crucial role in the livelihood of families.

For many, these businesses are not just places of work but are sources of dignity, purpose, and opportunity.

The hotel I run employs dozens of young people, many of whom would otherwise have limited opportunities to gain employment and contribute to their families and society.

The act of closing down such an establishment without considering its broader impact on the lives of our youth is an affront to the future of Nigeria.

It is wrong for any government agency to shut down a business without due process and without a clear, constructive plan to address any legitimate safety concerns.

If there are valid issues to address, let’s open a dialogue, take action to correct them, and allow businesses to comply with regulations, rather than destroying livelihoods overnight. That hard work, enterprise, and opportunity can be taken away in an instant, without fair notice or remedy.

I also take this opportunity to call upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reconsider its approach in the fight against corruption. Our nation’s youth are not the real threat to the prosperity of Nigeria.

Yet, time and again, we see young people arrested and persecuted for minor offenses, while the true culprits — those siphoning public funds and amassing power through corruption — continue to operate freely. It is high time the EFCC turned its attention to the real enemies of our country’s progress — the corrupt Senate, who are using public funds to buy streets and renaming the streets to their name.

How many senators have we seen lavish public funds on personal endeavors? How many of them have turned public streets and public properties into personal assets, renaming them after themselves and using taxpayers’ money to fund vanity projects? It is deeply disturbing to witness these actions while our youth continue to struggle with unemployment, limited opportunities, and systemic neglect. Senators are public servants, and they must be held accountable for their mismanagement of public resources.

As Malcolm X once said: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” The future of Nigeria belongs to our youth. They are not criminals; they are the future entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders who will steer this nation toward greatness.

Instead of hunting them down for petty crimes or shutting down their places of work, let us focus on tackling the real issues. We need to demand that our leaders serve the people. It is our duty as a nation to ensure that our youth have the tools, opportunities, and environment to succeed.

Furthermore, Nelson Mandela reminds us that: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” It is not impossible to create an environment where businesses thrive, the youth are empowered, and corruption is dealt with seriously.

It will take all of us coming together to hold our leaders accountable, demand transparency, and support our youth as they chase their dreams.

I call on every Nigerian to stand with our youth, to support businesses that are creating jobs, and to demand that our government focus on the real issues facing the country. It is time for us to stand up, to speak out, and to create the change we want to see in this nation.

I urge the EFCC, Lagos State Safety Authorities, and the entire public to reflect on these concerns, and together, let us create a Nigeria where the voice of the youth is heard, where businesses can grow, and where our leaders are held accountable for their actions.

I have been away for some time, and some were celebrating, I am back as the Senior Advocate of the Masses and Voice of the Voiceless.

Chief Dr. Eholor,
Otherwise known as Ultimate Equal, President One Love Foundation.