We are not Potential Smugglers – YEWA Youth
Olorunfemi Ojo
Yewa youth in Ogun State, Nigeria, have said they are not potential smugglers as insinuated in some quarters.
President, Yewa Amalgamated Youths, Alhaji Fatai Akorede said this in a released he signed at the weekend.
He said “It has come to our notice a vituperation by one of our supposed leaders in a daily national newspaper “THE NATION” of 28th of May, 2014 on page 36 against the youth in Yewaland.
“In the said newspaper, Mr Biyi Otegbeye, tagged us as potential smugglers because most of our role models are smugglers, and smuggling is a thriving trade in Yewaland.
“First of all, we would like to correct the impression of Mr Otegbeye about us. More than 1,000 youths are certificated in various field of learning, many are also doing fine where they are working.
“Those who are jobless now is not their fault, but that of government and well to do people like our brother, Otegbeye, who has refused to assist the youths through employment or through establishment of company in Yewaland.
“Many of the people, which our brother referred to in his interview as “successful” smugglers and the youths role model are actually licensed, Clearing and Forwarding, Importers and Exporters; Hoteliers and Petrol dealers who had used their influence to put many of the youths in Federal agencies.
“These people are employers of labour – who have engaged many youths in their establishment, sent many youths abroad to further their education or to exhibit their talents.
“However, while we are not encouraging illegal activities, it is a known fact that, all over the world, border communities are prone to smuggling activities but that does not mean it is the indigenes that are doing it, so for our brother to say most of the youths in Yewa land are potential smugglers is an understatement and indictment on we youths in the area.
“We reject the appellation of “potential” smugglers given us by Mr Biyi Otegbeye, whom we learnt he returned home to do all he listed he have been doing because of his political interest.
“We also wish to ask our Egbon (brother) what programme did people like him have for the youths wandering about in Yewa because of strike by Polytechnics and lack of job or how many of Yewa youths he had assisted and refused to change from doing “smuggling”?
“During the recent Yewa Festival, we have record of those who contributed to the success of the event organized by our Royal fathers to bring all Yewa sons and daughters home. What we need is practical passion and not theoretical passion.
“We are seizing this opportunity to call on the Federal and State governments to settle the crisis of the Polytechnics. We also want the government to take job issue at the border communities serious in order to address smuggling and other vices associated with border towns and villages.” Akorede said.
