House of Representatives, yesterday, asked the Federal government to declare a state of emergency on unemployment in the country.

The lawmakers also asked the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, to move in immediately, and tighten the noose on foreigners to ensure they are not taking jobs meant for Nigerians in various organizations.

The motion, which was brought to the plenary by House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, and 78 others, also sought legislative interventions in the ongoing unemployment crisis in Nigeria.

The lawmakers noted that the unemployment crisis in the country has reached such an alarming rate as to be of serious concern to all, as various reports put Nigeria’s unemployment rate now at 24 per cent.

They said apart from the reports, there were glaring evidence of joblessness in all states of the federation.

The Reps said there is an inextricable nexus between unemployment, corruption, crime, poverty and insecurity.

They expressed concern that if this tide is not arrested, it would portend great danger to the welfare of the citizenry as enshrined in sections 14 and 16 of the 1999 constitution.

Credit: NationalMirror