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Nigeria Will Take Good Shape In No Distant Time- Olawande

Published

2 days ago

September 16, 2024

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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Vivacity Development Emphasizes Nigeria’s Role in the Future of Work at the United Nations General Assembly

Published

1 week ago

September 8, 2024

The Gleamer

As the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the United States approaches, global leaders and stakeholders prepare to engage in high-level discussions on policies and ideas that could impact the economic trajectories of their respective countries. Among the many international actors poised to contribute to these discussions is Vivacity Development, led by Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola. Vivacity Development will be organizing a significant side event at UNGA, focused on Nigeria’s critical role in the evolving future of work, as well as issues related to climate change, technology, youth empowerment, and agriculture.

Speaking ahead of the event, Oluwakemi highlighted the unique opportunity the UNGA provides for tackling global challenges, emphasizing that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in conversations shaping the future of work. “UNGA is a global platform where critical discussions about the world’s most pressing issues take place, making it the perfect setting for a conversation about the future of work,” she said. “We were inspired to host this event because the evolving nature of work is central to sustainable development and improving lives globally, particularly in regions like Nigeria. With technology, youth engagement, and meaningful employment at the forefront, it’s crucial to address these topics during such an influential gathering.”

Vivacity Development’s initiative comes at a time when the global economy is undergoing profound changes. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated trends in remote work, automation, and digitalization, reshaping labor markets worldwide. In Nigeria, however, the transition has been more challenging due to infrastructure gaps, technology barriers, and limited education on data protection and digital skills. Oluwakemi stressed that addressing these issues head-on is vital for Nigeria’s future, not just in terms of catching up with global trends, but also in harnessing its enormous potential, particularly through its youthful population.

Oluwakemi noted that the upcoming side event will bring together global thought leaders who have successfully implemented future-of-work strategies in various countries. These experts will provide insights that can help tailor solutions to Nigeria’s unique economic and societal landscape. “By leveraging these experiences, we aim to develop a tailored plan for Nigeria that takes its unique challenges and opportunities into account,” she said. “Through this, we can ensure that Nigeria’s workforce is empowered to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.”

The event, which is the phase 1 of the program is designed to deliver long-term, sustainable outcomes for Nigeria’s workforce. It will center on sensitization and open dialogues to explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding the future of work, while secondly it will focus on upskilling individuals to better prepare them for the evolving workforce.And finally will culminate in tangible job creation efforts, ensuring that the discussions and training from earlier phases lead to real employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth.

With the positive outlook for the event, Oluwakemi seeks more collaboration with key Nigerian stakeholders, including government bodies and private sector leaders. She believes that Nigeria’s involvement in shaping the future of work is not just an option, but a necessity. “This is an event that both government and private individuals should be part of,” she said. “The pandemic has dramatically reshaped the way we work, and Nigerian workers are already facing significant challenges due to technology barriers and a lack of infrastructure. If we don’t act now, we risk falling even further behind.”

She reflected on a recent webinar organized by Vivacity Development, which brought together people from various sectors to deliberate on these pressing issues. While the webinar revealed valuable insights, Oluwakemi wants Nigerians from different works of life to be fully engaged in the conversation.She remains hopeful that future collaborations, such as the upcoming UNGA side event, will drive broader participation.

Vivacity Development is not working in isolation. Oluwakemi highlighted the organization’s collaborations with a diverse range of partners, including government agencies, NGOs, private enterprises, and international organizations. Each partner brings unique expertise, from focusing on the green economy and youth empowerment to offering insights into technology and workforce development aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, they aim to ensure that the side event at UNGA reflects a broad spectrum of perspectives, with a shared goal of creating actionable strategies for shaping the future of work in Nigeria.

In conclusion, Oluwakemi reiterated the need for collective action to address Nigeria’s workforce challenges. “We are at a pivotal moment where the decisions we make today about the future of work will determine our nation’s prosperity for decades to come,” she said. “Nigeria has the talent, the youth, and the drive, but we need to build the systems and strategies to support them in this new world of work. This is why our event at UNGA is so important.”

As the UNGA approaches, Vivacity Development’s side event promises to be a critical moment for Nigeria, offering a platform for the country to redefine its role in the global workforce and ensure its participation in the future of work

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