Gradually, human capital development is becoming synonymous with Nigerian legislators. Campaign promises are now fulfilled more on gift items than bills sponsored. At all levels of lawmaking, legislators seem to be in competition on how to please their constituents, win their favour and thus be re-elected easily. In Cross River State, like other states of the federation, personal dividends of democracy, which the electorate know include skills acquisition, donation of sewing machines, motor cycles, vehicles, hair dressing equipment, generators, computer accessories, farm implements and inputs, free medical care, etc. Once a legislator is able to donate and provide these, he or she is said to have performed. Effective representation is thus judged on this basis.
Relief This gesture is helping out. In the rural areas of Cross River State, young school leavers without jobs now earn a living from commercial motor cycle business. Women empowered with hair dressing machines now live more decent lives. Business centres have opened in rural communities, ending the era of going to urban centres to print or photo copy documents. Lawmakers who have established vocational centres have done so much to stem rural-urban drift for jobs. It is now easier to get a plumber, electrician, mechanic, welder and other artisans to work for you in your locality. Self-employment, courtesy of some politicians, has become a fad among young people who are serious with their lives and do not want to be a burden to their parents or guardians.
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