Professor Murtala Sagagi, Dean, Dangote Business School, Bayero University Kano, says there are no fewer than 3.3 million unemployed persons in Kano state.
He made the disclosure at a Business Round table with PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar in Kano on Sunday night.
He said the figure was based on a findings when he served as a consultant of a committee that conducted the survey.
He said according to the survey, Kaduna state had 1.3 million unemployed persons while Jigawa had over 700, 000 unemployed youths.
He urged government at all levels to give priority attention to jobs creation through revitalisation of all ailing industries especially in Northern parts of the country.
The university don, who attributed underdevelopment of the region to inconsistency in the implementation of government policies, called for a reversal of the ugly trend.
“There were about 2,500 industries in Kano in the past but most of them have collapsed as only 400 of such industries are operating now in the entire North.
“I am not blaming anyone but the northerners themselves because they are the ones in charge of their affairs,” he said.
In his remarks, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said if given the mandate to lead the country, he would tackle unemployment challenges by supporting small and medium scale enterprises.
“If you want to reduce poverty empower the women because I have tried it and seen its impact.”
He listed a number of measures that he would take if elected President which include additional allocation of funds to state and local governments to enable them execute developmental projects.
He said in addition, local and state governments would be given more powers because of their closeness to the grassroots.
“We shall also reopen the borders to ensure free movement of goods and services that are not prohibited by our laws.
“The ECOWAS emphasises free movement of goods and services and World Trade Organisation (WHO). So if elected I will reopen the border to enhance economic activities.
“We are ready to listen to all your problems because we held similar meeting with business community in Aba and Lagos,” Atiku said.
Also speaking, Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso commended the initiative as it will go along way in addressing challenges facing commercial activities in the state.
- PM NEWS
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