Lottery capable of empowering youths

Some stakeholders in the lottery industry have canvassed for a good working environment as a way of empowering youths.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, the stakeholders also expressed optimism that the lottery environment was capable of generating employment and revenue for the country.

Mr. Vincent Orji, a Supervisor in Access Bet lottery outlet, said the prominence given to lottery activities in the country had encouraged youths to participate actively in the business.

Orji noted that lottery proceeds was contributing to national development.

“Lottery, as we all know, is a game of chance in which people pay for the opportunity to win prizes.

“Part of the money taken in by a lottery is then used to award the winners and also pay the costs of administering the lottery.

“However, the money left over is the profit which is used solely to provide social facilities in public places.”

He said that Nigerian youths had contributed immensely to the development of these projects from lottery proceeds.

According to Orji, some people play lottery not just to win but because they derive enjoyment in playing the game with friends, especially the sports betting game.

Also, Mr. Femi Akinsola, a player at the Betrevolution Lottery Centre, said that he had been relieved from financial burden as a result of the game.

Akinsola, an unemployed graduate, said his participation in the lottery had empowered him to be able to cater for some immediate needs.

He, however, appealed to the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to effectively monitor some of the sports centers as some of them were involved in shady deals.

He called for proper regulation of the activities of sports centers, noting that some of them had refused to operate transparently.

Also speaking, Mr. Gregory Olatunji, the Secretary-General, National Union of Lottery Agents and Employees (NULAE), advised Nigerian youths to tap into the lucrative lottery industry in Nigeria.

Olatunji said this would open other opportunities for the youths to live a fulfilled life.

“As a union, we have witnessed several Nigerians benefitting from lottery since its inception.

“Some Nigerian youths have won trips to watch matches outside the country; several others have also won houses across the country.

“Many others have benefited in one way or the other from the good causes,’’ he said.

He added that over the years, lottery had helped to redistribute wealth and also generate youth employment.