Youths Unemployment and Insecurity in Eleme

Youths Unemployment and Insecurity in Eleme By High Chief Ollorwi Osaro Introduction Unemployment is a term referring to people who are employable and actively seeking jobs but are unable to find jobs. Included in this group are those people in the workforce who are working but do not have an appropriate job - underemployment. Usually measured by the unemployment rate, which is dividing the number of unemployed people by the total number of people in the workforce; unemployment serves as one of the indicators of a country’s economic status. On the other hand insecurity is the state of being unsure. It is period of constantly expressing fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. It is a time of thinking, and some of these thoughts can be filled with doubt, hopelessness, fear and anxiety. When there are no jobs and the hope of meeting the basic human needs are far from realization frustration sets in; evil thoughts override reasoning, and the individual explores several avenues including criminal means to put body and soul together, and make ends meet. The population of Eleme is estimated to be about 304, 608 as at 2020, out of which the youth population, (15 – 35 years of age) is said to be 75%. It is also estimated that about frightening 60% of Eleme youth population is either unemployed or underemployed, a situation that possess great danger to the society in terms of crimes and assorted social vices. Such a large population of unemployed, unengaged, angry, sullen, unproductive youths in any society will constitute a menace and security risk because their lives appear hopeless and yet they are full of youthful energy. For a long time probably since the creation of Eleme Local Government Area in December, 1996, the Eleme youths have been on bondage as a result of unemployment caused by faulty institutional structures, corruption, illiteracy and poor management of resources. Though unemployment is a national phenomenon, the situation in Eleme has reached the crises state, Insecurity in Eleme is characterized by cultism, gangsterism, violence, kidnapping, assassinations, armed robbery, vandalism, theft, environmental insecurity and other vices in the area. Youths form the bulk of unemployed and are burden to the local government. Before now agriculture is the mainstay of Eleme people. Eleme has topography of flat plains netted in a marvellous web of rivers, creeks, streams and swamps including the Bonny River, Nololo Creek, Gberekpii Creek, Okulu Creek, Ochani Creek and Wamba Creek, among others. A good climate with many rivers and creeks and vast areas of arable land make the people of Eleme predominately farmers and fishermen. But the oppressive and forceful acquisition of their lands for multinational and national companies and oil exploration and production activities and mindless pollution of the environment has robbed the people of agricultural activities and afflicted them with severe pains including food insecurity and poverty. Yes, unemployment is responsible for food insecurity and has caused majority of Eleme youths to develop the feeling of inadequacy and uncertainty; they see themselves as not good enough. Unemployment produces high degree of anxiety about ones goals, relationship, and ability to handle certain situations. Youth unemployment have significantly contributed to the dramatic rise in criminal activities such as armed robbery (Salami, 2013), cultism, prostitution, theft, civil unrest, abductions and kidnapping of persons irrespective of status, religion or age. Youth unemployment is a major challenges facing Eleme today. Admittedly, the problem of youth unemployment is a national problem due to corruption and the high poverty levels requiring all of us to work in order to ensure not only survival but security. Again, Eleme youths are linked to violence, cultism, kidnapping and sometimes robbery by unemployment. Unemployment in Eleme has given to rise street crimes such snatching of motorcycles, handsets and other valuables at gun point. We have witnessed slightest resistance resulting in shooting the victim to death and carting away the items. Really, the rate of youth unemployment in Eleme has reached crisis point requiring consistent government urgent action to create jobs and prosecute all individuals who have corruptly enriched themselves thereby denying Eleme youths the opportunities of being employed. The Eleme youth has become more disillusioned by the day, especially with the strong feeling of frustration about his inability to be employed when he is capable, willing and qualified to work and especially the realization that active companies are dotted here and there around him and he sees vehicles railing thousands of people to and from work on daily basis. Emphatically, the increasing rate of unemployment amongst Eleme youths has increased the wave of armed robbery, prostitution, kidnapping, cultism, illegal oil bunkery, and on-going abductions of citizens and residents with reckless abandon as well as the popular street crimes. During the courtesy visit on the Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Hon. Obarilomate Ollor (JP) in his office at Ogale by the Executives of KAGOTE led by its President, Emmanuel Deeya the Council Chairman expressed displeasure over the attitude of multinationals operating in Eleme cosmopolitan area when it comes to employment of Eleme youths.. He observed that lack of job creation, skills and vocational training of the teeming youths of the land by these companies results in increase criminality and heightened the insecurities suffered in the area in recent past. Again, during the courtesy visit by the leadership of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality to His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Friday, 22 October, 2021 it also re-echoed that the provision of gainful employment for our teeming youths will “check restiveness” in the area. The impact of unemployment in Eleme is being felt by both the rich and the poor. In fact, unemployment has made it impossible for many couples in Eleme to face the challenge and crisis of marriage necessitating high level of divorce. The ripple effect of unemployment in Eleme can better be imagined than felt. It is a serious social and economic issue that results in a tremendous impact on everything but is often overlooked. The presence of numerous multinational and national companies operating in Eleme, and the high level of unemployment among our youths in the area calls for concern by all. A stronger system of assessing unemployment in Eleme should be put in place in order to determine its causes and how to address it better. The problem of unemployment in Eleme is further compounded by some chiefs and leaders turn contractors who sell jobs openings and opportunities to strangers, and/or pay Eleme indigenes enslavement monthly salary of 20% or less of their total entitlement. This is demonic and acute wickedness. Instead of selling job opportunities to strangers, please declare them for sale to Eleme youths so that they can buy, work and grow on the job. Similarly, the war against unemployment in Eleme cannot be won with the existing narrow, myopic and selfish definition of host community. Distinction has to be made between immediate landlords (landowners) and the community at large. The definition of host community needs to be broadened to encompass the whole of Eleme that suffer the impacts of environmental pollution and degradation arising from the operations of these companies. The impacts of pollution does not know Ebubu person neither does effects of environmental degradation recognize Ekporo person. All those within the radius suffer equally. Also, efforts should be made by governments at all levels to create jobs and strengthen job market regulation in Eleme so that Eleme youths with education or skills can live a meaningfully and contribute to the development of the area. Government and policy makers should strengthen the local content/host community regulations relating to employment of citizens of the host communities in order to give job chances our youth with the relevant skills and education. Government should build strong economic institutions and those already in place, be strengthened to create jobs for the youths for Eleme youths. The power sector in Eleme demands immediate attention for power is the heart-beat of the local informal and formal sector to drive the economy. Efforts should be made to encourage vocational, technical and entrepreneurial education in Eleme for self-employment; while corruption and mismanagement of our resources ought to be dealt with vigour. Eleme people in Diaspora with capital should be encouraged to come home and invest. Education should be made free and compulsory in Eleme, at least to secondary school level. Heads of schools that levy pupils/students unnecessarily or make one illegal monetary demand or the other should be fished out and brought to book. Finally, the Eleme Local Government Council should strengthen and empower the Eleme Employment Bureau (EEB) as an Agency of the Local Government, to update its Unemployment Data Base (UDB) and seriously scout for jobs from all the multinational and national companies operating in Eleme as well as Federal and State Governments establishments, ministries and agencies, etc. for the teeming unemployed youths of Eleme extraction. As KAGOTE President, Emmanuel Deeya said, “Eleme is the hub of the petroleum industry in Nigeria…..People cannot do business in an unsecure environment” Of a truth, it is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of organisations doing business in Eleme to employ Eleme citizens. The host community philosophy upholds that; the local contents legislation supports that. Even the much talk about immediate catchment area guideline adheres to that. Eleme has given more, Eleme deserves more! Eleme is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy! If the employable Eleme youths are taken off the streets and properly engaged in gainful employment, and companies in Eleme regularly pay relevant revenues instead of hiding under Abuja cover, and execute their corporate social responsibility as demanded by law, the attention of the Eleme Local Government will not be diverted to insecurity, but concentrate and devote all its efforts and resources towards the development of the area, and in no distance time Eleme will see what is called real development and transformation. High Chief Ollorwi Osaro

Personal Security in Present Day Eleme: A Paper Presented to the Youths of the Redeemed Church of God, Aleto Eleme by Osaro Ollorwi on Monday 12^th May, 2019

Introduction

Before delving into the rudiments of personal security let us briefly describe insecurity; thereafter examine what security is, its origin, the importance of personal security in present day Eleme and conclude by advising ourselves on friendship selection and some qualities of true and lasting friendship.

What is Insecurity?

 Insecurity is the tendency to feel fearful, anxious, unsafe, and apprehensive regarding present or future situations or circumstances.

On the other hand, the philosophy of security is concerned and associated with assets protection, crime prevention and loss prevention.  The time and space met for this lecture will not permit us to go into the rudimentary process of explaining assets, crime and loss in security.  It is assumed that we all have the basic knowledge of all these security terminologies.

Origin of Security

The origin of security has always been traced to the Holy Bible. The entire Christian Bible is concerned with the following:

a.       How God protected Believers’ lives and properties yesterday;

b.      How He is protecting them today; and

c.       How He planned to protect them tomorrow and in eternity.

In the beginning God revealed the essence of security. He kept Adam and Eve and their family in a secured environment with all protective measures put in place – in the Garden of Eden. Adam and his family were only required to observe the basic security measures by obeying simple instructions and keeping themselves and properties out of harms’ way. But, this reliable security arrangement was breached when the mole inside allowed the enemy access, which resulted in deceit, lies, criminal conspiracy, and murder.

The cumulative consequences of the above include:

1.      Separation of God from Adam;

2.      Ejection of Adam and Eve from the beautiful Garden of Eden;

3.      Withdrawal of security from Adam and his family;

4.      Exposure of Adam and his family to varied security threats;

5.      Assassination of Abel by his brother Cain, an abomination;

6.      Cain did not only became a criminal at large, he declared wanted and death penalty pronounced  on him; and

7.      Crime, violence and loss became institutionalised in the society.

 

The aim of God for taking man and putting him in the Garden of Eden to work (develop) it and take care of (protect) it; Gen. 2:15 was defeated. The thief stole their peace and shattered their security; he brought envy and bitterness into the family, killed Abel, pursued Cain into exile and destroyed the first family, John 10:10. Let us heed the warning to “Be alert, be on the watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  ” 1 Peter 5:8.      

 

Situation on Ground in Eleme

For some time now, the mass media have been agog with horrifying news of cold-blooded murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and sundry crime-related reports. These mind-bogging news items that we are constantly bombarded with are the sad reflections of our daily experiences as a people, so much so that citizens and residents awaits each day with some replicated, unsure whether the next day would meet them alive.

The police on its part operating with limited manpower, technology and other vital resources are finding it very difficult to protect the citizens and residents. Every year, violence ends the lives of thousands of young people across the State. Their families are left to cope with the loss of a life barely lived and to face the future over-shadowed by violence.

The military regiment in Eleme is stack in-between delving into pure police duties or performing its core constitutional functions; thus slowing them down each time they swift into action. The military are not trained for policing, neither are they equipped for crowd or traffic control. Providing “aids to civil authority” when called upon to do so temporarily doesn’t make them law enforcement agency.  

The dart of real-time information is not only reducing the competency of our troops but also rendering them handicap. Unfortunately, it appears the criminals have more real-time information than our security agencies courtesy citizens and residents whom the security agents are working tirelessly to protect. 

The terrain is unknown to the security operatives coupled with the absence of streets name, unidentified roads and other undefined landmarks across Eleme.

Guns in Eleme

The dastardly killing of over 40 people between 2013 and first quarter of 2019 by cultists and the daily unlashing of mayhem on the communities by these hoodlums speaks volumes of how much we are trapped in the whirlpool of violence.  It will be improper to name the victims of cult-violence in recent times in Eleme. But, these people are not supposed to die untimely. These youths whose parents work very hard to support their families are not supposed to wind up in body bags with their parents, relations and friends weeping over a tragedy that is too great and too final ever to overcome. Nor, are many of our youngsters supposed to endure their adolescence choking on the guilt and desire for revenge that comes when you watch your brother shot down by a cultist.

There are no more wars in Eleme or between Eleme and any of its neighbours. It is guns now. The number and sophistication of handguns in Eleme has doubled. Our youths too often resolve their trivial arguments by shooting one another to death. Often, the victims and the perpetrators are too young to even realize that death is not a television stunt – to be done and undone in a twinkling.

Despite the high level of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, ignorance, underdevelopment, and above all, ungodliness in the area, it is estimated that over 500 of local and foreign made handguns are now in circulation in Eleme.

The key word here is “circulation”. Guns don’t stay where their owners put them. They exchange hands. Our youths know where to get these guns and they brag openly how easy guns are to be obtained. They borrow guns, steal guns, or buy guns for paltry sum. Statistics confirm that young people in Eleme have no trouble obtaining guns; and they carry more sophisticated arms than even the police. Thus, in Eleme, as in many Nigerian cities, a bloodbath is drowning thousands of young men who are supposed to live good productive lives – long lives.

It is for these reasons that the government, the police and those concerned with security have made the clarion call to the civil populace to assist the police with relevant timely information to check crimes and to apprehend criminals.

This message is no less important as we gather to discuss ways of obviating the menace of cultism, violence, armed robbery, kidnapping and other life-threatening crimes. Cult violence related crimes have indeed graduated from a tumour to a full-blown cancer in Eleme; and it is only the experts who can cure our society of the scourge of cultism. Cultism is a public health problem that is fast decimating a generation of our youths.  

Cultism, Women and HIV/AIDS in Eleme

Apart from the mind-bogging cult-related violent deaths in Eleme, the impact of cultism on women and future of Eleme is worrisome.

 

Women play both active and passive roles in cult activities and they suffer the most from cult violence. They are the mothers, aunties, sisters and daughters as well as initiates of these cultists and cult groups respectively who are trapped in an unending web of cult violence. Their roles depends on who they are to an individual cultist or cult group but many involve supplying of information, provision of food, ordinances, ferry of weapons across boundaries, and leading of special operations.

Women are also agents of Cult-Initiations. Cult groups are known to have sex with young women in turns as part of their initiation. That accounts for a renowned medical doctor in Eleme saying that Eleme is on the verge of extinction.  He estimated HIV/AIDS prevalence in Eleme to be far above Rivers State average of 15.5 per cent. He lamented that if nothing is done and quickly too, in the near future the population of Eleme will be highly depleted. 

Although, women remain a minority of street cultists and perpetrators of cult violence, they increasingly suffer the greatest harm. They are faced with specific and devastating forms of sexual violence; they are the first to be affected by infrastructure breakdown as they struggle to keep families together and care for the wounded; and many are forced to turn to sexual exploitation in order to survive and support their families. What next?

Managing Personal Security in Eleme

Personal security management is assessing the security risks around you, developing strategies to prevent or mitigate threats that can harm you, your family and property. Some of these threats are cult or terrorist attacks, kidnapping, robbery, rape, fires or break-ins. It is also concerned with designing emergency response plans should these events occur; assessing programme effectiveness and familiarity with the acceptable security protocol.

Knowing Dangerous People

 The first step to managing personal security is to know dangerous people. It is not easy to learn how to spot a dangerous person. You need to learn to listen to and trust your instincts when something a stranger says or does makes you feel as if you are at risk of harm. Dangerous men exhibit behaviours that communicate their belief that they are justified in what they do. In addition a dangerous man can have absolutely no intention of harming you physically, but in other ways be it emotionally, sexually or criminally.

 

Understand Risky and Dangerous Actions

Listen to your instincts and learn how to spot a dangerous person. Dangerous people look just as normal as people who are not a threat to you or others. Their danger to you does not have to include physical danger. They can be a threat financially, spiritually, emotionally, or sexually. Control is an example of danger sign. If someone wants control over you, mentally, economically or emotionally, this is a warning sign. Also, beware of lies being used to gain dominance.

Walk away or push the person away if his physical actions or verbal communications tell you he is dangerous to you. Even though society has taught you to be polite and accommodating, when someone is dangerous and you are picking up on this, you can be rude as you rebuff his advances.

Also, act proactively when you are out at night. If you are walking through a parking garage or down a dark street, have your keys interlaced between your fingers in a tight grip should you encounter a man you don't know. If a man is following you, look for an open business so you can seek help. If you carry mace, make sure to have the kind that does not freeze in cold climates.

Personal Security: Helping Yourself and Family 1
Work with your family, in your neighbourhood, and in your community.

Recognize that violence has many causes. Some are immediate, e.g.:

a.       A specific argument,

b.      Easy availability of a weapon,

c.       A situation in which an aggressor thinks violence will bring quick rewards,

d.      An anger that sees no other outlet.

Some are less direct for example:

a.       A community tolerance of high violence levels, reinforced by:

1.      Violence in news and entertainment media. Some are

2.      Individual inability to see another way to settle disagreements

3.      Peer pressure that measures or boosts self-esteem through violence.

Personal Security: Helping Yourself and Family 11

1.      Make yourself, family and things safer from violence a priority.

2.      Work with your own children, with other kids you care about, and with teens and adults you care about to reduce the risk that you or someone you love will fall victim to violence. In other words:

 

a.       Children should learn not to hit, kick, or bite.

b.      Children must know the real consequences of violent events and entertainment.

c.       Teach children how else a conflict might have been settled, what the angry person might have done instead, what unseen or unspoken consequences violence might have.

d.      Let children lay out their thoughts about violence. This helps them learn how to think through this and other issues.

e.       Encourage your child to approach you about a real or possible danger. You may be a neighbour, an aunt or uncle, or a grown-up who happens to be nearby. Suddenly a child comes to tell you something is wrong. How can you handle it helpfully?

f.       If the child has found a weapon or a possible weapon or describes some other immediate danger; go to the scene at once, if you’re not putting yourself at risk.

g.      Children should avoid name-calling and teasing. These can easily get out of hand, moving all too quickly from "just words" to fists, knives, and even firearms.

h.      Teach children that bullying is wrong; help them learn to say "no" to bullies and to get adult help with the situation if need be. Remember that words can hurt as much as a fist.

i.        Take a hard look at what you, your family, and your friends watch and listen to for entertainment—from action movies to cop shows, from soap operas to situation comedies, from video games to music lyrics. What values are they teaching? Do they make violence appear exciting, humorous, or glamorous? How do characters solve problems? Are the real-life consequences of violence clear? Set clear limits on TV viewing and provide active, positive alternatives for free time.

j.        Teach children basic strategies for personal safety to prevent violence and reduce their risk of victimization.

k.      Help them learn and practice common courtesies. "Please," "thank you," "excuse me," and "I am sorry" help ease tensions that can lead to violence.

l.         Emphasize the importance of being drug free. Research shows use of alcohol and other drugs like Tramadol, Codeine, Marijuana, etc., is closely linked with violence, including the use of guns and other weapons.

m.    Encourage children to stick with friends who steer clear of violence and drugs. Make your home a comfortable place for these kids to gather; help them find positive, enjoyable things to do.

n.      Remind children of simple self-protection rules not to go anywhere with someone they (and you) don’t know and trust; how and when to respond to phone calls and visitors if you are unavailable, how to deal with adults (or other children) who approach or touch them inappropriately, what are safe routes to favourite neighbourhood destinations.

o.      Rehearse what to do in urgent situations, like finding a weapon or being approached inappropriately by a stranger or seeing something wrong happen.

p.      Help your children to both learn and practice ways to keep arguments from becoming violent.

q.      Encourage young people to tackle security problems. Urge them to find out:

1.      How they can learn simple strategies to prevent crime against themselves and their friends;

2.      How groups can settle disagreements without using fists or weapons; and

3.      What drug-free, alcohol-free positive activities are available for teenagers?

 

 

 

Personal Security – Choose True and Lasting Friends

What is friendship? Friendship means the attachment of one person to another marked by mutual affection and trust, intimacy and love. Because many of us do not know the true meaning of friendship we fall into wrong hands in the name of friendship.

As Christians, choose your friends wisely. Prov. 22:24,25. James 4:4. Select your friends well. Be a companion of all them that fear God, and of them that keep God’s precepts. Ps.119:63. In accordance with Proverbs 2:20b, walk in the way of good people, and keep the paths of the righteous. If you walk with wise people you shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed, (emphasis, mine), Prov.13:20. When a particular friend of yours failed to be ointment and perfume to rejoice your heart, the Holy Bible advised us to change that friend, Prov. 27:9.

Qualities of True and Lasting Friendship

If your friendship lack any of the following qualities, please look the other side:

1.      Compassion – Job 6:14a

2.      Forgiveness – Prov.17:9, 1Peter 4:8

3.      Supportiveness – Prov. 17:17

4.      Initiative Prov. 18:24a

5.      Discretion Prov. 25:17

6.      Loving Counsel and Correction –  Prov. 27:6a

7.      Consideration – Prov. 27:14

8.      Loyalty – Prov. 27:10a

9.      Encouragement – Prov. 27:17

10.  Teamwork – Ecclesiastes 4:9,10

11.  Unity – Amos 3:3

12.  True Understanding – John3:29

13.   Self-Sacrifice – John 15:13

14.  Open and Honest Communication – John15:15

15.  Unselfishness – Rom.15:1,2

16.  Mutual Concern – Philippians 2:4

17.  Mutual Edification and Inspiration – Colossians 3:16

18.  Positive Peer Pressure – Heb. 10:24

19.  Love – 1 Peter 4:8

 

High Chief Osaro Ollorwi

Website: www.ollorwi.com.ng

E-mail: ollorwiosaro@gmail.com

Tel. 08036694027,  08096811012

 

POLICE DECLARE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CRIME IN ELEME

Police Declare Zero Tolerance for Crime in Eleme

The new police boss in charge of Eleme Divisional Police Headquarters SP Harrison Akpoguma has declared zero tolerance for those instigating insecurity and other societal ills in Ebubu.

The DPO made this known during his familiarization visit to Egbalor Ebubu on Wednesday, 4^th November, 2015.

He called on the people to partner with him in achieving this goal, promising to promote synergy with the citizens and residents for the development of Ebubu in particular and Eleme in general.

According to Akpoguma, his office will partner with all stakeholders in providing security to Ebubu inhabitants by seeking the cooperation of all the stakeholders through provision of relevant and timely information.

The police boss is however not new to the security challenges in Eleme as he disclosed he faced similar situation in Port Harcourt and prevailed.

He therefore assured the citizens of Eleme of his resolve to stamp out criminals and social vices, and appeal to the public to provide the police with useful tips about hideouts of bandits and criminal elements.     

He however emphasized on community policing as a duty call to all inhabitants of Ebubu, which he said the “citizens are major players”.

In achieving this aim, he emphasized the importance of citizens to always supply the police with valuable information on crime and criminals before they strike so as to enable the “police to check crimes in the bud. By so doing we will together prevent crimes by deterring criminals, thereby ensuring a safe and peaceful society”.

Earlier, the Secretary of Egbalor Council of Traditional Rulers, Chiefs and Elders, High Chief Julius Okereke thanked the DPO for the visit, especially for his efforts towards the maintenance of peace and protection of lives and properties within the short period of assumption of office in Eleme.

Okereke, while commending the police for their “rapid response to our distress calls”, called on the police boss to facilitate the provision of a police post in Egbalor.

He decried a situation where known criminal suspects are arrested and released almost immediately, allowing them to boastfully regrouped and visit more mayhem on the entire community.

Chief Okereke emphasized on the need for the police to protect both the informants and information given to them; and to ensure diligent prosecution of criminal suspects.

The visit which is the first by a DPO in Eleme in recent times was well attended by a cross section of Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Women and Youths of the community.