President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday came under attack over his remarks on Nigerian youths, forcing his media team in the presidency into overdrive as it tried to clarify what the president meant to say.
Mr Buhari, who is in the habit of committing cringe-worthy gaffes when he doesn’t have a written script before him, had on Wednesday in London at the Commonwealth Business Forum described Nigerian youths as ill-educated, lazy and in the habit of looking for freebies.
According to the president, Nigerian youth just want to sit and do nothing, relying on the notion that Nigeria is an oil-rich nation.
“More than 60 per cent of the population is below 30, a lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing and get housing, healthcare, education free,” the president had said to a room full of business and global leaders.
The president’s comment adds to an earlier one he made criticising Nigerian youths.
During a February 2016 interview with UK Telegraph, Buhari had said some Nigerians in the UK, mostly youths, were disposed to criminality and should not be granted asylum there.
He was fiercely criticised at the time for the comment, with many saying it failed to convey the reality of Nigerian youth’s exploits.
His statement on Wednesday equally elicited an outcry from youths in the country and several Nigerian leaders who blamed the president for failing to recognise the ingenuity of Nigerian youths and shirking his responsibility by providing decent healthcare, education and ensuring that jobs are created for teaming unemployed youths in the country.
Reacting to the president’s remarks, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar took to his Twitter handle to say he would never call Nigerian youths lazy, noting that they are hardworking.
“Our youths are charting new frontiers; creating a huge tech industry on their own! Their entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, and creative abilities are things of pride and should be applauded, encouraged and nurtured.
“I will never refer to Nigeria’s youth as people who sit and do nothing. They are hardworking. I should know, I have thousands of youths working for me all over the country who have been the backbone to our success,” Atiku said.
Mr Ben Murray-Bruce (PDP Senator, Bayelsa East), in his Twitter post, pointedly accused Buhari of being the lazy one.
“Whoever says Nigerian youths are lazy should just buy a mirror and he or she will see the real definition of laziness! I have over 1,000 Nigerian youths in my employ and not one of them is lazy,” he tweeted.
Former presidential aide, Mr Reno Omokri, said the president was only describing himself as he sits in Aso Rock (the State House) and does nothing.
“He is describing himself. He sits and does nothing at Aso Rock. He gets free housing at the Presidential Villa. He spent 103 days in London and we paid for it! Joblessness makes him talk anyhow!” he said.
Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, also lambasted the president via Twitter, stating: “Two years ago in London you clapped for David Cameron when he said… the Nigerian people were ‘fantastically corrupt!’ Today in London you tell a group of foreigners that Nigerian youths are lazy illiterates who do nothing and who expect to be given everything for free.
“What type of leader takes pleasure in slandering, shaming, denigrating and humiliating his own people before the world? What type of man tells foreigners that his own children and youths are lazy and unproductive?
“You have destroyed your own people and shamed them before the world!”
Also, several youths created the hashtag #LazyNigerianYouths to project their entrepreneurial spirit and success stories to counter the president’s negative narrative.
According to them, the president was fond of casting Nigerian youths in a bad light in the eyes of the international community.
Udoka Uju, popularly known as the Lady Painter, while sharing her success story said: “I am Nigerian. I paint homes and offices for a living. @MBuhari I am not lazy, we are not lazy. #LazyNigerianYouths.”
Cordelia Okpe said: “Can our leaders show us where their children work? The ‘first children’ for instance, what work do they do? Where do they work? What have they contributed to Nigeria’s growth or death? You call other people’s children lazy? We refuse that label. #LazyNigerianYouths.”
Adaku Nonso said: “So many old men and women from the 1970s and 1960s have refused to retire in public offices and allow promotions. How many government projects have been put in place to even consider us? You employ the old and dead to public office but youths are lazy.”
@Ilynem wrote: “Buhari didn’t get an education when it was free now calling us #LazyNigerianYouths when education has become a luxury and getting a good paying job is now regarded as a miracle? Can’t believe I once campaigned for this man. God forgive me.”
Prosper Olumuyiwa said: “Nigerian youths are lazy? Lol. I can tag at least 80 developers/techies that are shaking and breaking tables here and abroad without government’s help.
“Also, we still pay tax that helps you and your family survive your stupendous health bills #LazyNigerianYouths.”
Oke Umurhohwo said: “I am a Nigerian youth and working very hard. I pay my bills and my taxes even when the government does little or nothing to provide basic amenities.
“There are many Nigerian youths like me and we won’t be ridiculed by a charlatan of a president. We are not #LazyNigerianYouths.”
Princess of @onenaijababe said: “I’m a teacher in three different places. I also sell cars, I don’t do anything illegal. I work round the clock. I am a Nigerian youth. I am a superwoman. I am not lazy.”
Thisday