"They don't have jobs for you but have for their kids" - Kwankwaso querries inequality

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State has urged Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs during the 2015 general elections.

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Speaking at an event that was organized by Association of Writers on Human and People’s Rights (AFRIRights) on Saturday to commemorate this year’s World Human Rights Day, Kwankwaso, further urged youths to aspire and democratically take over the leadership of the nation.

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He argued that qualitative leadership needed for the realization of the much desired change in the country would not be achieved if youths continue to remain passive and non-committed ‎in the process of governance, or willingly lend themselves as tools to the same crop of politicians that have not only ‎”ran the country aground but also reluctant to quit the stage”.

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The governor who was represented by the Attorney general and Commissioner for Justice in Kano State, Mr. Maliki Kurya, said his government resolved to accord priority to education for the people because it was convinced that education frees the people from ignorance, poverty, rights abuses and other challenges.

He regretted the growing inequality in the society, noting that “there is no job in government for you. They (those in authorities) don’t have jobs for you. They have jobs for their kids. Once you work hard, you will be able to make it. Something people from poor homes often excel because they have been taught to struggle and work hard, if they must make it”.

He said: “But the people from rich families in Nigeria, particularly people, who are benefiting from the stolen assets of this country, do not have reasons to work hard. They end up being drug addicts, and nuisance to themselves and their families. That is why it is important to work hard as young men and women, with the hope that we will, together, make this country a better place.

“Election is around the corner. Make sure you exercise your fundamental right to vote the leaders you think will improve this country. We should wake up and do all we can to change this country. The most civilize way to do it is through the ballot box. Please sit up and do your best.

“Don’t allow any politician to use you to cause havoc in this country. It does not pay. They will quickly take the next available flight and check out of the country. But we will remain here. We have no other country, but this Nigeria. So we have to ensure that it works,” Kwankwaso said.

He regretted the increasing challenge of insecurity in the country, stressing that since every Nigerian, despite his place of resident, suffers the same deprivation, there was need for a concerted effort to end the various problems plaguing the country.

Kwankwaso, who bagged an award of excellence from AFRIRights for his government’s pro-people education policy, urged youths to learn to assert their rights and work hard in achieving their set goals.

‎In his address, AFRIRights’ Executive Secretary, Emmanuel Onwubiko lamented the increase in cases of rights abuses in the country particularly by government officials and agencies who he said ought to serve the people’s interests.

Onwubiko further condemned the handling of the last recruitment exercise by the Nigerian Immigration Service where many died, even as he described the practice where public institutions ask applicants to pay to apply for employment as highly distasteful.

“We are asking the government to stop this scam. It is a crime against humanity to ask people to pay to apply for jobs in public institutions. I understand even the military ask people to pay to serve their father land. This is condemnable,” Onwubiko added.