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FG Committed To Launching and implementing programmes To Tackle Unemployment In The Country

Published

2 months ago

July 18, 2024

Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to launch and implement a comprehensive range of targeted youth employment programmes to tackle unemployment in the country.

The Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim made this known during the commemoration of the 2024 World Youth Skills ‘Day with the Theme: “Youth Skills For Peace & Development.”

The annual event which was organised by the Ministry took place at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. In her keynote address,Jamila disclosed that the Ministry has put in placeprogrammes that are specifically designed to address the pressing issue of unemployment and as well bridge the significant employment gap among our rapidly growing youth population.

She informed that these programmes will also provide meaningful opportunities for young people to enter the workforce and contribute to the nation’s economy.

Dr. Ibrahim emphasized the issue of escalating youth unemployment and underscored the proactive approach adopted by the Ministry to address it.

“As a part of its core mandate, the Ministry recently orchestrated an extensive and meticulously planned capacity building programmes specifically tailored to the fashion design and tailoring business sectors. This multifaceted initiative also involved the establishment and furnishing of a cutting-edge tailoring hub located within the premises of the National Youth Development Centre in Odeomu, Osun State.”

“The hub boasts a comprehensive array of modern fashion and tailoring machinery, providing a conducive environment for aspiring young entrepreneurs to acquire and hone their skills in the domains of fashion design and associated enterprises. The Ministry is dedicated to offering a platform for interested youth to access the center and take advantage of the invaluable opportunities for skill development and empowerment it presents,” she explained.

She observed that millions of young people around the world are unemployed and not involved in any meaningful and sustainable work.She also noted that majority of these individuals live in developing countries, where they are underemployed and are continually exposed to low-quality jobs, greater labour market inequality .

“The 2024 World Skills Day is expected to create synergy among all key players in youth development. I believe that the programme will successfully increase enthusiasm for skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. It will challenge everyone to create a commendable platform to launch a new project on skill acquisition and development that aligns with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’,” she stated.

In his address, Mr. Olawande Ayodele, Minister of State for Youth Development, underscored government’s resolute to equip the youth with vital skills for enhanced employability. Olawande who emphasised the importance of job fairs observed that Nigeria has had trade fairs over the years said that it was time to have job fairs to promote skill acquisition.Olawande declared that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda,he is determined to ensure that seven million Nigerian Youths acquire at least two skills each within the next two years.

Earlier,Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry extended a gracious welcome to dignitaries and all invited guests from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs), development partners, youth leaders and all stakeholders devoted to youth development and empowerment.

He stressed the Ministry’s commitment to advancing skills acquisition, nurturing peace and propelling socio-economic growth throughout Nigeria. The Guest speaker,Engineer Kashim Ali,a fellow of the Nigerian society of Engineers who also advocated for Youth skills challenged members of the public to engage in skill acquisitions regardless of age or qualifications .He encouraged adults to learn skills that were suitable for them , adding it is never too late to learn.

In his own address,the Chairman,senate committee on Youth,Adeyemi Adaramodu described the skill development initiative as a positive development by the Ministry.Adaramodu assured the Ministry that he was ready to legislate on any measure that would enhance the lives of Nigerian youths.

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Nigeria Will Take Good Shape In No Distant Time- Olawande

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande has urged the citizens of the country to be patient with the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in transforming the lives of its citizens through various policies and programs of the federal government.

The Minister made this submission while delivering his speech at the Joint Union Negotiating Council’s week of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development branch. This is the first edition since both Ministries of Youth and Sports had been damaged. The JUNC week which was held at Atiku Hall, Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja had its theme: “The working people in a volatile, uncertain, and complex economy”

In the words of the Honourable Minister: “I urge you to be patient with this administration. In no distant time, the country will take good shape and the lives of its citizens will be transformed”.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a pauper, he is an acknowledged epitome of wealth, and so it cannot be said of him that he desires to loot the treasury of Nigeria. He has seen money and as a result of this, he is not interested in looting the nation’s treasury”, Olawande explained.

He emphasized that “leadership is all about being committed to serve. If you are a Minister now, tomorrow you will be addressed as a former Minister, likewise a Director because there is no permanent position but the impact that you made while in that office will speak after you”, the Minister reiterated.

Olawande expressed his gratitude to the workers of the Ministry for being supportive of the government policies and programs. He promised that the welfare of the staff would not be compromised, adding that workers deserve remuneration for being hardworking.

Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya admonished the staff of the Ministry to put in their best as “Performance Management System” which replaces APER is the criteria to be used for promotion effective next year. This, according to him is because the Performance Management System (PMS) records the best efforts and input of each staff which will in turn be used to grade such staff.

Olusanya who disclosed that the welfare of the staff is his priority as workers deserve the best for the services rendered. He opined that “the hungry man is angry and as a worker, if you are not treated fairly and properly, it is impossible to get the best out of you. As a result, all staff will be treated properly as motivation to propel the best in you”, he concluded.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, OON, MNI, in her address, informed that the activity to reinvigorate the Civil Service in a bid to ensure that Civil Servants carry out their duties with much diligence to have efficient and incorruptible civil service is currently on course. She advised workers to wake up and be committed to the service of the nation.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Jerry Akume, the General Secretary of the Union expressed his delight in celebrating this year’s edition of the Union week, while highlighting the achievements of the union so far. These include:

Upward review of staff welfare, prompt payment of repatriation allowances, payment of first 28 days allowance, assistance to the sick, general training of staff, and sending forth/retirement package for retired staff.

He also appealed to the Management of the Ministry, saying that irrespective of the aforementioned achievements, a lot still needs to be done in such areas as procurement of staff buses, upward review of welfare payment for festive periods, consistent general staff training, and procurement of office and work materials.

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