Job For Sale: Extortion Of The Unemployed

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Every country has institutions, such as the armed forces, ministries and Agencies which facilitate its smooth running, and maintained existence for, among other things, making life secure and easy for its citizens and others within its boundary. In searching for people to man these institutions, it is expected that those at the helm of affairs should seek for professionals and others who are conscientious with marked integrity. But the case seems to be different now.

Some ministries are now reducing the human resource pool of this country to only those willing to part with money to obtain federal job, by asking the ever growing unemployed youths for money before getting a federal job application form.

In a country like ours, where there is rampant unemployment and bared-face corruption drawing back the wheel of progress, those who make decisions that directly or indirectly affect the masses should always conduct their affairs fairly and progressively. Having said this, it came as a surprise to every reflective Nigerian when, in 2007, a department of the armed forces decided to start selling forms to its prospective officers.

Why should a non-profit making department of a country; that is pride on being the epitome of discipline, bravery and selflessness, be allowed to go looking for profit? This has continued in to the present when the Immigration service has also decided to start selling it job application forms.

A large percentage of job applicants in Nigeria of today are unemployed graduates, who are still largely dependent on family members and friends for sustenance.

Is it not absurd for an intending employer to ask money from such group, or any group, before offering them the chance of gaining employment? Many of them would prefer to use such money, if they manage to get it, for matters more immediate to them, and look elsewhere for job. Hence, the employer stands at a disadvantage, as the right products its business needed might be among those left discouraged.

The immigration is mandated to generate revenue from particular processes, and that should not be extended to the unemployed youths of Nigeria. Also, it is not a lotto company, because accepting money from thousands and in the end giving employment to a few is tantamount to lottery.

In all democracy, public institutions, including government, are properties of the people entrusted to individuals considered fit to manage it appropriately for the benefit of all. The untoward act of selling application forms to some of these individuals is morally bankrupt and psychologically unhealthy. I presume that multinationals and private establishments know this, so they never attempted to sale application forms to their applicants.

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Articles by Bello A Akeem