The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has decried the joblessness of his citizens, particularly youths who constitute 70 percent of the state’s population.
Governor Lawal noted that the high rate of unemployment of viable citizens was a cause of the insecurity ravaging his state.
He stated this on Tuesday while speaking on Channels TV interview. He said unemployed youths were what he inherited from previous administrations.
He, however, explained that the security situation of the state has improved since he took the administration of the state.
“Zamfara is one of the few states in Nigeria that is blessed with abundant natural resources, but the question is to whose benefit? That is number one.
“Two, if you look at the population of Zamfara State we are about six million people and seventy percent of these six million people are young men and women idle, doing nothing. This is what I inherited as the governor.
“Zamfara state has been facing insecurity within the last 10 years, but the good thing is that things are changing for the better. Looking at all the indices today, Zamfara is making significant progress in education, healthcare, agriculture, etc,” he said.
The Zamfara State Governor reiterated that his administration will not negotiate with bandits. He stated that he cannot negotiate from the point of weakness.
“I believe you can only negotiate on the point of strength not on the point of weakness. I am not a military person or a security expert, but from the little knowledge I know, you don’t negotiate on the point of weakness; you can only do that at the point of strength,” he added.