By Abel Johngold Orheruata, MNIPR
A human rights organization, Initiative for Social Rights Concern and Advancement (ISRCA), has urged governments at all levels to address youth unemployment by providing skill acquisition programs and establishing industries, particularly for graduates. The group insists that economic empowerment is the most effective way to curb crime rates in the country.
ISRCA made this call during a sensitization rally aimed at discouraging young people from engaging in criminal activities and encouraging them to pursue meaningful livelihoods.
Speaking at the rally on Wednesday in Warri, ISRCA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Amb. Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other social vices. He attributed these crimes largely to the lack of job opportunities, particularly for graduates.
“Universities in Nigeria continue to produce thousands of graduates yearly, yet job opportunities remain scarce. We have over two million students gaining admission into Nigerian universities and more than six hundred thousand graduates annually—where are the jobs for them?” Agberen questioned.
He criticized the government’s empowerment programs, stating that they often fail to reach those in need, instead serving as political patronage for party loyalists. He urged young people not to view crime as an escape from hardship but to engage in productive ventures that will earn them a dignified livelihood.
ISRCA, which has been in existence for three years, has committed itself to organizing symposiums, creating awareness, and working with relevant agencies to push the government to address societal challenges.
Agberen also emphasized the role of parents in shaping their children’s values, calling for a collective effort from families, government, and society to instill discipline and moral values in young people.
“The government, parents, and society all have a role to play. We need to work together to guide our children toward becoming responsible members of society,” he said.
Supporting this stance, ISRCA’s National Secretary, Comrade Monday Aberu, stressed that the alarming crime rate necessitated the rally, calling for stronger collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies.
Similarly, the group’s National Treasurer, Comrade Onotu Solomon, expressed optimism that within the next three years, ISRCA would reach every corner of society with its message, working alongside law enforcement agencies to promote crime-free communities.
On gender-specific concerns, the National Director of ISRCA’s Orientation Bureau, Comrade Mrs. Joan Eseoghene Onoruerome, advised mothers to closely monitor their children’s activities and instill strong moral values. She particularly encouraged the girl-child to avoid criminal tendencies and strive to become responsible members of society.
The rally featured public address campaigns targeting motorists, one-on-one outreach to passersby, and the distribution of flyers to residents, all aimed at spreading awareness and fostering a crime-free society.
