According to WHO, nearly half of the world’s 3.3 billion global workforce are at risk of losing their livelihoods with the informal economy workers particularly vulnerable because majority lack social protection and access to quality health care. Historical findings show that a systemic response by nations after the 1918 flu helped many to overcome the impacts of that pandemic. Nigeria has all it takes to build a stronger post-economic and social system, if she can adjust the operation of her existing systems and adopt my proposed TRAIN-ONE-TO-TRAIN-OTHERS idea. Let’s quickly analyze the approach.
NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS
During the 75th UN General Assembly, Nigeria’s president said, “His Government would engage the services of corps members to champion the implementation of the SDGs 2030 at the grass roots”. This can only be possible if Corps members capable of training members of their host communities are trained and equipped with knowledge and resources needed to overcome the impacts of the pandemic. This will help in bridging existing economic and social divide.
N-power
Although the scheme was created to address the issues of youth unemployment and help increase social development, young Nigerians can leverage on it to help the country respond better to the impacts of the Covid-19. This can be through the adoption and extension of innovative ways of doing things. With the Batch C enrolment earmarked to accommodate 500,000 youths nationwide, N-Teach, N-Build, N-creative, N-Tax, N-Health and N-Agro can use technology or social media craze to respectively point the attention of the public to effective online study, cost effective construction techniques, improvised creativity, responsible taxation, quality health tips and precision farming techniques respectively. This will cut-down cost while maintaining quality in-spite of the present economic strain.
NATIONAL YOUTH INVESTMENT FUND
The scheme aims to financially empower youths with 75 billion naira to generate at least 500,000 jobs between 2020 and 2023. It is the duty of the youths to apply to be trained and empowered while encouraging others to do same in order to become responsible bread winners and job creators. As a concerned youth, I am currently organizing awareness campaigns, collecting data and freely registering members of my community.
CIVIL SOCIETIES
Since civil societies play a key role in nations development, youths can volunteer to disinfect public places, practice proper waste management, care for the elderly, create seminars for those who lost their loved ones, adopt water purification techniques and extend digital economic strategies to rural communities.
NIGERIA POLICE FORCE
The 3600 rape cases by the UN and the latest #Endsarsprotest would’ve been abated if youths were exposed to security tips, trained and given room to propose ideas about crime reduction. Youths need to adopt a participatory approach for a secured post-pandemic society.
In conclusion, using existing systems to train youths capable of training others about financial intelligence, life planning, use of technology, problem solving and is an effective strategy needed to overcome the impacts of Covid-19.