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COVID-19:NNPC Support FCT With 70 Bed Hospital

Published

4 years ago

May 15, 2020

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has joined the rest of well-meaning Organization to boost the fight against pandemic COVID-19 in the Federal Capital Territory FCT having agreed to donate 70 hospital located at Utako District of the City, currently under renovation when it completed.

This was made known on Friday, 15th of May, when the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello led a delegation from the FCTA on a courtesy visit to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari at the Corporation’s Headquarters in Abuja.

FCT Minister, in his remarks also acknowledged and thanked the NNPC and the entire oil and gas industry for their support to the FCT in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He equally acknowledged the positive role the NNPC has played in the development of the city over the years and the Corporation’s plans to develop a world class medical facility in the Territory.

Towards meeting this objective, Malam Bello revealed that the Corporation has been allocated a piece of land at the proposed Abuja Medical City Development Project located at the Phase 2 development area of the city for the construction of the medical facility in conjunction with its partners in the oil and gas industry.

Malam Bello said that on completion, the medical facility will also serve as a development catalyst for the area just as the NNPC Towers has attracted development to the Abuja City Center after its construction over 20 years ago.

In the Minister’s words, “when reputable organisations like the NNPC and associations in the oil and gas industry set up a project, it will serve as a magnet that will attract other investments and we will all be the better for it”

He also revealed that an international financial multilateral organisation of which the Federal Government is a shareholder along with 26 other African countries has also been allocated a plot for the construction of a center of excellence for the provision of medical services also at the Abuja Medical City Development Project.

Speaking earlier, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Malm Mele Kyari who led the FCT delegation on a tour of the 70 bed hospital which includes 10 Intensive Care Units, commended the FCT Administration for its efforts in handling the COVID-19 pandemic in the Territory saying that the medical personnel of the FCTA, despite the challenges posed by the Coronavirus always responded promptly and professionally whenever their services were required.

Malam Kyari also used the occasion to reveal that the NNPC had plans to construct a world class international convention center in the city saying that the existing ones were inadequate.

On the entourage of the FCT Minister were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Borno, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin and other senior staff of the FCT Administration.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

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