Worried by the increasing number of able-bodied youths roaming around without gainful employment, the Kano State Government engaged key players in the private sector to check the rate of unemployment.

Besides, the government is set to unveil a skill registry platform, an online database that enables qualified job seekers to enrol their credentials for easy linkage with potential employers.

Special Adviser to Governor Abba Kabir Yusif on Human Resources, Dr. Ibrahim Garba Mohammed, stated this during a Stakeholders’ Engagement/Validation of Private Sector Employment Policy document on Wednesday.

Dr. Mohammed, worried that despite the high number of private industries in Kano, over 20 million indigenes are poorly represented in the employment scheme, thereby paving the way for restiveness in the state.

Dr. Mohammed said the engagement with private operators was intended to validate the domestication of the federal character partial principle and private sector employment policy aimed at compelling job opportunities for indigenes.

According to him, the policy proposes 75 per cent of employment opportunities reserved for Kano indigenes in the private sector, among other provisions. Dr. Mohammed, who is also the chairman of the committee for the employment policy, stressed that proposed incentives are equally recommended for private operators that comply with the policy.

“The engagement with the private sector was organised to ensure validation of the private sector in the proposed employment policy document. The policy is designed to reduce unemployment among skilled and qualified Kano indigenes.

“From findings, the government realised the majority of private sector operators do not give opportunities to Kano indigenes despite their qualifications. The committee is proposing a 75 per cent job opportunity for Kano indigenes at every private company in Kano. Providing these opportunities will reduce insecurity, curb criminal tendencies, and ensure a peaceful atmosphere,” Dr. Mohammed said.

However, stakeholders raised concerns over the poor attitude of indigenes toward work and the lack of skills in some fields of learning, especially teaching and engineering.

Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools Owners in Kano, Mohammed Subairu, worried that many young indigenes do not fancy teaching jobs. He added that despite job opportunities, it is difficult to find science teachers among the indigenes.

Similarly, Mr. Emmanuel Israel, a personnel manager from JK Carpet, a Kano-based manufacturing company, stressed that the government should consider competence ahead of any form of sentiment in the new policy.

He cited a reference that JK Carpet has been seeking employees in the areas of mechanical and electrical engineering for years without receiving an application from indigenous applicants.

At the end of the engagement, Dr. Mohammed disclosed that the committee will return to another session to factor in all the concerns and points raised by the stakeholders before producing a draft policy document that will be forwarded to the state government.