By Emma Amaize

WARRI— UNEMPLOYED Ijaw youths in the Niger Delta region have called on federal, state and local governments to come to their rescue.

Speaking under the aegis of National Izon Unemployed Youths Forum, NIUYF, the youths urged President Goodluck Jonathan, Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Agagu Mimiko (Ondo) to address “the gross neglect and poor welfare services for unemployed Ijaw youths.”

Acting President of the group, Mr. Victor Yiola, said the increasing wave of criminal activities among Ijaw youths was traceable to economic hardship and unemployment.

He said: “Oil bunkering activities, kidnapping, pipeline vandalisation and other social vices among Ijaw youths are products of hardship and joblessness in the Niger Delta region.

“Hundreds of Ijaw youths have lost their lives as result of hardship and struggle for survival. It is not that those who engage in bunkering, kidnapping and oil theft are happy about what they are doing.

“Many who are ready to go to school are roaming about; there is no one to cater for their school expenses. Many who want money to pay for fishing equipment end up not achieving their dreams and equally thousands of university graduates are left unemployed. It is cruelty on the part of governments and oil companies on Ijaw youths.”

Speaking under the aegis of National Izon Unemployed Youths Forum, NIUYF, the youths urged President Goodluck Jonathan, Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Agagu Mimiko (Ondo) to address “the gross neglect and poor welfare services for unemployed Ijaw youths.”

Acting President of the group, Mr. Victor Yiola, said the increasing wave of criminal activities among Ijaw youths was traceable to economic hardship and unemployment.

He said: “Oil bunkering activities, kidnapping, pipeline vandalisation and other social vices among Ijaw youths are products of hardship and joblessness in the Niger Delta region.

“Hundreds of Ijaw youths have lost their lives as result of hardship and struggle for survival. It is not that those who engage in bunkering, kidnapping and oil theft are happy about what they are doing.

“Many who are ready to go to school are roaming about; there is no one to cater for their school expenses. Many who want money to pay for fishing equipment end up not achieving their dreams and equally thousands of university graduates are left unemployed. It is cruelty on the part of governments and oil companies on Ijaw youths.”