Obasanjo warns against economic growth without jobs

Posted by admin Latest Politics Monday, June 27th, 2011

Abuja-Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that economic growth witnessed in African countries without job creation has led to frustration among the youth.

Obasanjo’s view is contained in a speech he delivered yesterday at the ongoing European Policy summit in Belgium, with the theme, “Africa: Building on Growth”, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria.

He attributed most of the unrest witnessed in the continent to unemployment among youths.

“One of the reasons why youths rise up and overthrow their rulers is lack of meaningful employment opportunity and lack of fulfillment in their lives.

“Employment is a right of all those who want to work. Growth without Job creation can only lead to frustration, bitterness and anger, particularly of the youths, who in restiveness, can make social tsunami to happen.

“And that will make nonsense of the highest of any economic growth.”

Obasanjo said education not matched by job creation was dangerous and added agricultural and agro-businesses were significant areas that could help to address job creation.

“Poverty and unemployment in the midst of relative affluence is an invitation to disaster that must be avoided,” he warned.wp_posts