High rate of unemployment,
poverty and uncontrollable informal sector among others have led to more
than proportionate increase in deviant careers, violence and criminal
activities, loss of lives and properties in most urban centres. Poor
economic growth coupled with high rate of corruption and mismanagement
is some of the fundamental factors accounting for high rate of
unemployment in Nigeria.
Early morning gathering of unemployed youths around major urban roads, streets and junctions shows a picture of unemployment situation in Nigeria. The pull created by unemployment has pushed many individuals into forming gangs usually referred to as touts whose activities revolve round the streets, bus stops, markets, motor parks and the transport corridors. These touts hang around motor parks to collect money from drivers in the name that they are working for government. Major motor parks and bus stops serve as both training and recruitment ground. This gives opportunity to youths and adults to make a leaving in a country where able bodied men who are ready to work cannot see job to do.
The main thing that attracts my attention to their activities is the kind of money these boys make a day. The huge amount of money they get a day is what that is pulling these boys into touting career and also granting justification for the massive recruitment into such deviant career.
It is possible that touting activities is covering a lacuna in the development of Nigerian transport system. This is because irrespective of the negative portrayal of touts, residents, politicians, traditional rulers and government find them useful for dues collection and provision of security in parks by complimenting Police.
In sum, though touting may have positive side at list the provision of employment for jobless youths. Its negative side over weighs it’s positive gain and should be discouraged. Government should provide jobs for its unemployed youth to discourage this kind of deviant career.
Early morning gathering of unemployed youths around major urban roads, streets and junctions shows a picture of unemployment situation in Nigeria. The pull created by unemployment has pushed many individuals into forming gangs usually referred to as touts whose activities revolve round the streets, bus stops, markets, motor parks and the transport corridors. These touts hang around motor parks to collect money from drivers in the name that they are working for government. Major motor parks and bus stops serve as both training and recruitment ground. This gives opportunity to youths and adults to make a leaving in a country where able bodied men who are ready to work cannot see job to do.
The main thing that attracts my attention to their activities is the kind of money these boys make a day. The huge amount of money they get a day is what that is pulling these boys into touting career and also granting justification for the massive recruitment into such deviant career.
It is possible that touting activities is covering a lacuna in the development of Nigerian transport system. This is because irrespective of the negative portrayal of touts, residents, politicians, traditional rulers and government find them useful for dues collection and provision of security in parks by complimenting Police.
In sum, though touting may have positive side at list the provision of employment for jobless youths. Its negative side over weighs it’s positive gain and should be discouraged. Government should provide jobs for its unemployed youth to discourage this kind of deviant career.
