MURIC Supports President Buhari Controversial #LazyNigerianYouth Statement

President Muhammadu Buhari

They Argue That He Isn’t The First Nigerian Leader To Tag The Youth As Lazy

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in a recent statement have backed by President Muhammadu Buhari controversial comment made regarding some Nigerian youth, describing it as “apt, precise and succinct”.

Recall Naija News had stated at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Westminster, that the president said some Nigerian youth have not been to school but are waiting on oil money.

An hashtag #LazyNigerianYouth on social media which sparked a lot of controversies followed that statement.

Through its director, Ishaq Akintola, the union said that Buhari isn’t the first leader to describe the youth as lazy.

He noted that the likes of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa state; and ex-military President tatupporthave said in the past that Nigerian youths were lazy.

“The problem with Nigerians is that they always run away from reality. Not known for verbosity, our president has hit the nail on the head,” the statement read.

“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) contends that the president’s description of the Nigerian situation regarding its youths was apt, precise and succinct. Many of our youths are lazy but we don’t want to admit it. Instead of commending this truthful leader, we started calling him names.

“Nigerians need to contextualise the president’s comment. We have seen many youths functioning as political thugs as the 2019 general elections approach. What of the ‘agberos’ or touts who have now spilled out of motor parks unto the streets and bus stops? What responsible work are they doing? Are they not youths?

“We have forgotten that Buhari is not the only leader who described Nigerians and the youth in particular in this manner. Governor Dickson in a media chat on 17th may, 2016 was alleged to have said, ‘Bayelsans are so lazy, they want everything free, they don’t want to work’.

“The 25th September 2017 edition of a northern-based newspaper also reportedly quoted Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as saying, “Northerners are lazy” while General Babangida (rtd) allegedly opined during a BBC Hausa service interview of 16th April, 2010, The Nigerian youth is useless, cannot lead.

“Senator Shehu Sani added flavour to this in December 2017 when he reportedly said ‘Northerners are lazy and unproductive’.”