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Tag: job creation

  • ECOWAS urges members to focus on Job Creation

    ECOWAS urges members to focus on Job Creation

    Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged its members to create jobs for its teeming unemployed population as a means of addressing some of the challenges confronting the sub-region.

    The commission also urged members to put in place economic reforms that will ensure resilient economies.

    The body advocated for more structural reforms, implementing sound macroeconomic policies, and ensuring diversification of economies.

    In a communique issued at the end of the 48th ordinary session of the authority of ECOWAS heads of state and government in Abuja, the body canvassed for the establishment of the common market.

    The communique also agreed on the need to increase the volume of intra- community trade, make the free movement of persons and goods a reality and pay particular attention to strategic sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, energy and human capital.

    “The authority calls on the commission to pursue the harmonisation of sectoral policies and take all necessary measures to support the effective implementation of programmes under these different sectors.

    “The authority reaffirms the importance of employment, education, health and social protection in national development strategies and urges member states to sustain their job creation efforts, particularly for young people, by promoting public and private investments in all areas,” the communique read.

    ECOWAS has also said it will pursue, through the implementation of relevant regional policies, the improvement of food and nutritional security as well as sustainable natural resource management.

    The sub-regional body also welcomed the adoption of the Paris Agreement on Climate and the opportunity afforded by “this universal, differentiated and legally binding Agreement with the aim of enhancing Member States’ capacities to address climate change challenges for a more resilient region.”

    ECOWAS also said it will ensure unity of purpose and more proactive responses to the various security threats in the region, particularly terrorism, violent extremism, maritime piracy, trafficking and other forms of organised transnational crimes.

    Meanwhile, ECOWAS has conceded the position of president of the commission to the Republic of Benin and the position of Vice- President to the Republic of The Gambia.

    It directed the Presidents of the Republics of Benin and The Gambia to propose to the current Chairman the nomination of one their nationals for these positions from March 2016 to February 2018.

  • Job creation key to global peace, says Okowa

    Job creation key to global peace, says Okowa

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the international community to partner with African nations on job and wealth creation “as a means to ensuring global peace and security.”

    Delivering the Keynote Address at the Africa Industrialisation Day at the United Nations Office in New York, Dr Okowa said beyond creating awareness of the challenges of industrialisation in Africa, the Forum should address the need for “firm commitments to strengthen partnerships that will drive industrialisation in Africa, create jobs and sustainable opportunities for youths, women and all people to enjoy better social and economic well-being.”

    The Africa Industrialization Day is celebrated on November 20 every year under the auspices of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to mobilise the commitment of the international community to the industrialization of Africa.

    The theme for this year’s event was “SMEs for Poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth.”

    At a symposium to mark the event, Governor Okowa commended “UNIDO’s passion and dedication to spurring Africa’s industrialization,” pointing out that the occasion “is a reminder to all of us, of the need to redirect Africa’s economic development position from being a global supplier of raw materials and primary commodities to one with progressive value addition through agro-processing, agro-industrialization and beneficiation of solid minerals.”

    Noting that “SMEs are engines forcost-effective employment generation, social inclusion, equitable development and self-reliant industrialization using local raw materials,” the Governor lamented that they have not flourished in Africa due to “funding gaps, infrastructure deficit, energy problems and poor governance structures.”

    Dr. Okowa informed the gathering that Nigeria’s policies through successive administrations have revolved around the growth and development of SMEs as catalysts for economic development.

    According to him, “the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) are frantically taking measures to enhance the performance and growth of youth- and women-owned micro and small enterprises through a host of concessional financing initiatives spanning equity financing, debt financing, loan guarantees and grants.

    “In Delta State where I am Governor, we have developed a road map to engage our youths and women in productive enterprises and ensure inclusive growth. Our strategic approach is a comprehensive programme of youth training, development and empowerment in agricultural enterprises and vocational skills, microcredit to support small and medium scale enterprises, and the creation of a conducive business and investment environment. Also we are undertaking concerted measures for the integration of agricultural and agro-industrial development based on our comparative-advantage commodities, particularly cassava, oil palm and aquaculture.”

    He called for international support of the State’s Job and Wealth Creation Scheme, which is in its six months of operation. “In particular,” he said, “we would leverage financing and technical assistance from international and global agencies, including the United Nations, to enhance performance and sustainability of our Job and Wealth Creation Scheme.”

    Earlier, Mr Paul Maseli, UNIDO’s representative to the United Nations warned that “if Africa misses this opportunity to industrialise and create sufficient employment opportunities to support decent living conditions it could present a significant risk and threat to social cohesion and political stability in the future.

    “Fast-tracking industrialization efforts in Africa in the Post-2015 era is particularly imperative to create jobs for broad segments of the population. With almost 200 million people aged between 15 and 24, Africa has the youngest population in the world. And it keeps growing rapidly. If the present trend continues, the continent’s labour force will be 1 billion by 2040, making it the largest in the world, surpassing both China and India.

    “If the continent can increase the productivity and fully unleash the potential in this segment (SMEs), it will go a long way in the economic development of many African countries. Let us not forget how important SMEs are in the economies of advanced countries like Germany with its famous “Mittelstand”, or Italy with its SME-based success model. These are examples African countries can certainly learn from.”

  • Entertainment industry, viable platform for job creation- Ambode

    Entertainment industry, viable platform for job creation- Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said the state government will explore the potentials that abound in the entertainment and arts industry as a viable platform to create jobs for the teeming youths in the state.

    The Governor spoke when some members of cast and crew of ’93 Days’, a film which chronicles how the state effectively contained the Ebola Virus Disease last year, paid a courtesy visit to him at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

    He assured the team, led by veteran Hollywood actor, Mr. Danny Glover, that his government will give the necessary support to project the ideals of the film, stressing that the collective feat recorded will remain a milestone in the history of the state

    “Clearly, what you have done to join hands with our people in Nollywood is to celebrate one of the major successes of Lagos State.”

    “Our government will support this project. No story can be told better than in graphic form, and once you are turning this story to a movie, it means that every other part of achievement that we can put together, it’s going to be something historic, it’s happening for the very first time, apart from the fact that it is showing the way government has been able to respond to issues that relate to the society, we are also showcasing what Lagos stands for.”

    The Governor while thanking the crew for deeming it fit to use the film to retell the Ebola success story in Lagos, also seized the opportunity to name Mr. Glover as Brand Ambassador for Lagos, saying that his wealth of experience will benefit the entertainment industry in the state immensely.

    “I can say that this is a platform to rebrand Lagos and for that reason. We would support this film and everything that has to do with it. Like I said, we would be looking forward to the premiere and I’ve told Danny that he has to be part of it and bring his experience and social-capital into it and he’ll be coming with other world class actors to do that, we would join in promoting this also.”

    “That means a lot to us and it would also mean a lot to the entertainment industry. It would be part of the legacies that you would be leaving to us here because as much as we look forward to all the great things that you have achieved, we believe also that this would also be part of the celebration for your 70th birthday next year”, he said.

    “As we move forward, in 2017, Lagos will be 50 years, so, Lagos at 50 is something that we are planning and the planning must start from now and it has so much to do with entertainment and things that are actually monumental and iconic. I’ve also extended invitation to Danny Glover and he would be part of that celebration come 2017”, the Governor said.

    He said his administration will continue to support the strides of Nollywood industry, expressing optimism that aside providing entertainment to the eyes, the industry has the capacity to stimulate job creation for youths in the state.

    Earlier, Glover said the film ’93 Days’ acknowledged the efforts of the state government in curtailing the Ebola Virus Disease adding that it was not a mean feat.

     

    He welcomed his nomination as brand Ambassador for the state, saying he shares the vision of Governor Ambode to further project Lagos as a Centre of Excellence.

    He also pledged to engage in works that will encourage upcoming artist to fully actualize their potentials.

  • ‘Infrastructure devt key to industrialisation, job creation’

    The development of the nation’s science and engineering infrastructure base holds the key to job creation and industrialisation, President/Chairman of Council,  Institute of Business Development (IBD), Mr. Ifeanyi Obibuzor, has said.

    Speaking at the “First International Business Development Summit for Africa” in Lagos, Obibuzor said the acquisition of endogenous capability in science and engineering infrastructure would create jobs through the proliferation of industries. It would also enable the country produce basic necessities of life including, but not limited to food and shelter, he added.

    The summit with the theme, “Business development in Africa: Regional integration for sustainable comparative advantage” was aimed at bringing together experts, intellectuals, captains of industry, and government officials across Africa to brainstorm on how to harness the continent’s abundant human and natural resources for development.

    Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, IBD, Mr. Paul Ikele, said: “We have a lot of resources; we have the manpower, but we are not harnessing it,” adding that it was the first international business development summit. He said last year’s summit was focused on Nigeria, but the Institute decided to focus on Africa this year because “Africa is the next level of the world. We want to bring Africans together; lets us know what we have and then plan on how to develop them.”

    While describing the theme of the summit as “apt and timely,” Obibuzor said lack of a robust national science and engineering infrastructure remains the missing gap in Africa’s search for economic development.

    According to him, engineering infrastructure consists of the capabilities and physical plants which are required to enable a prolific machine and equipment design and production to take place in the country.

    “The first component of national engineering infrastructure involves the development of well-motivated technical manpower and experts, through local and overseas training, in order to raise the required critical mass of development engineers, technologists, technicians, and managers who possess the necessary know-how and practical skill,” he explained.

    The second component, he said, involves the establishment of many sectoral Engineering Infrastructure Development Complexes (EIDCs), which develop technologies by research and development (R&D) and by technology adaptation; and the generation of associated private sector satellite industries.

    “Private-sector owned satellite industries and tertiary industries are essential parts of the national engineering infrastructure, and have to be deliberately and carefully encouraged, nurtured and protected until they mature and thrive,” Obibuzor noted,

    He pointed out that although, the Federal Government, over the years, has been undertaking some important elements of the national engineering infrastructure initiatives, which are highly commendable such as the Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Complex, Aladja Steel Project, Oshogbo Machine Tools, and the Aluminium Smelter Project, among others, such initiatives must be vigorously pursued, completed, and put to full and efficient production.

    He said Nigeria’s failure to develop her science infrastructure base is responsible for some of the challenges she is facing such as inability to refine and distribute crude oil, translate her agric policy into actual measurable production of food items in sufficient quantities, and outright sale or abandonment of strategic industries in the iron and steel industry.

    Obibuzor added that it is also responsible for the unacceptable level of unemployment with its obvious implications, as well as inability tokeep the factories/industries, which are employment creators, running.

    “The old factories cannot be sustained due to lack of endogenous capacity to reproduce spare parts,” he said.

     

     

  • AfDB, Nigeria to partner on job creation

    AfDB, Nigeria to partner on job creation

    The President, African Development Bank (AfDB) and former    Agriculture and  Rural  Development  Minister Dr.   Akinwumi Adesina has said  he  would  work with Nigeria and the  rest of the  continent to build  infrastructure, increase productivity and create  jobs to build resilience in the  economies.

    Speaking in Lagos at the weekend, during a send off party held by the Nigeria Agriculture Business Group (NABG), Adesina said urgent action was needed to restore productivity and economic growth to ensure sustained improvements to living standards.

    He underlined his resolve to make power, food and agriculture his major priorities, pointing out that Africa would become a global power house in food and agriculture. He saidAfrica would be green economy in his tenure.

    Infrastructure, he noted, drives economic growth by increasing measured economic activity and   generating employment.

    Although business conditions have been challenging, he   maintained that    considerable long-term economic development potential  exist, adding  that  what  African  governments needed  to do,  was   planning   for future growth by understanding potential growth opportunities and  undertaking  economic modeling to  explore  significant opportunities to grow and strengthen their  economies.

    He said pursuing the right economic policies and programmes would lay the foundation and steer the economy on a path to higher growth.

    Going forward, he  said  the  nation has benefitted from  the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA ), adding  that countries  like Rwanda  are trying  to  model  their  agricultural  programmes  after  the  ATA.

    Adesina said the Nigerian government introduced the electronic (e-wallet) system of allocating Government-subvented seeds and fertilisers directly to farmers, and losening the stranglehold of corrupt middlemen on farmers, adding  that  some  countries  in Africa  want to  emulate Nigeria.

    He  said   the AFDB has been very keen in pushing for more private  sector involvement, adding  that he  is ready  to work   with NABG  to actualise  the nation’s  dream of food  sufficiency.

    He said his election as AfDB President should be seen as a call to serve and responsibility to lead Africa. He   thanked the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians for their tremendous support towards his election.

    NABG Coordinator,  Emmanuel Ijewere, expressed optimism that Adesina will reposition the continental bank to an enviable level.

    According to him, the group arose out of the need on the part of investors in the agricultural sector to have a strong platform for articulating a purpose-driven vision for the sector, as well as partner with Government to make farming and allied industry, more attractive, secure and profitable, with a view to achieving the set goals in the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

    He  said the group has seen demonstrable purposefulness in the current government’s leadership in the agricultural sector, and is willing to work with it to promote the interest of Nigerians.

    He praised Adesina  for laying the  foundation for the nation’s  prosperity through  ATA.

    Members of  NABG,who  witnessed  the event,included, the Managing Director, Origin Group, Samuel Johnson Samuel and the Nigerian Agribusiness Group.

    He said the programme  has  demonstrated its immense support for agric, adding that measures are underway to revitalise the nation’s economy  and  that  his   work is already paying off.

    He stressed that the agriculture   industry remains essential if any country wants to have a highly productive services sector .

     

  • Dangote urges African leaders on job creation, poverty reduction

    African leaders have been advised on job creation and poverty. Achieving real economic integration in Africa would require that Africans work together to ensure economic and political stability on the continent, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote said at the weekend.

    He said efforts must be made to break the barriers and borders between countries to allow free flow of goods, services and people.

    Alhaji Dangote spoke shortly before the Prime Minister of Ethiopia,Hailemariam Dessalegn inaugurated his (Dangote’s) 2.5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) cement plant in Mugher, Ethiopia. The firm has a prospect of about 7,000 jobs.

    He urged African leaders to make the environment conducive for the growth of the real sector as a sure way of creating jobs to reduce poverty in the continent.

    He stressed the need for a genuine collaboration between the private sector and governments at all levels for the much needed real sector growth, noting that there must be deliberate efforts to encourage Africans, not just foreigners alone, to invest in Africa.

    “Take, for example, my company, Dangote Cement, is currently investing in 16 African countries, with plans to invest in many more over the next few years. There are a number of other successful pan-African brands today such as MTN, Shoprite and Ecobank. We need to encourage this trend to see more investments in Africa by Africans.

    “Above all, there is the need to encourage the private sector to collaborate with governments across Africa, to address the issue of infrastructure deficit, which has plagued the continent for decades,” he said.

    Dangote pointed out that manufacturing, and not trading, is the best way to grow an economy.

    “This event, which we are witnessing today, attests to the fact that we took the right decision when we decided to transit from trading in our home country, Nigeria, into manufacturing,

  • Fed Govt committed to job creation – Kobani

    The newly sworn-in Minister of State, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Kenneth Kobani has assured that the federal government still remains committed to job creation and repositioning of the nation’s industrial sector.

    He also said the ministry in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) will reverse the persistent trend of youths unemployment in the country

    The Minister of State stated this Friday during the Industrial Training Fund, ITF 2014 End of Year Merit Award held at the Fund’s headquarters in Jos, the Plateau state capital.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Amb. Abdulkadir Musa, the minister said, “the federal government is disturbed that despite the efforts put in place to address the issue of lack of gainful employment, the trend persists but government is not deterred in actualizing the mandate of curbing employment.

    He said, “I am pleased that my first function after my inauguration as minister is to join one of the most important parastatals (ITF) whose strides have contributed in no small measure to the realization of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “We are all familiar with the unemployment situation in the country despite laudable strategies of the federal government. I have been briefed about the mandate by Mr. President for the Industrial Training Fund to train 2million Nigerians annually.

    “I am equally aware of the achievements the ITF has recorded in the National Industrial Skills Development Programme which has trained over 72,000 Nigerians in two years. We are aware that about 23.8% of our population of about 167million is not gainfully employed.

    “These are disturbing statistics that the federal government and the federal Ministry of Industry and Investment are committed to reverse by strengthening and supporting agencies such as the ITF to fully activate their mandate.”

    Earlier, Director-General of ITF, Mrs. Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko in her remark stated that the Fund has through its 4-point Agenda in 2014 recorded landmark achievements in areas like technical vocational skills, management and entrepreneurship training.

    She further stressed that 2015 will be more rewarding as the level of employment will be multiplied as the result of series of training and empowerment done in the areas of welding and fabrication, ICT and autotronics, fisheries, yam, cassava and rice processing, tiling, plaster of paris, plumbing, garment making among others.

    The event however featured the presentation of awards to deserving staff as well as goodwill messages from dignitaries including the Chairman of the ITF Governing Council, Dr. Fariah Arebi.

  • ‘Job creation will eliminate insurgency’

    Creation of jobs and skill acquisition programmes have been identified as antidote to insurgency and politically-motivated violence in the country.

    A traditional ruler in Ekiti State, Oba Peter Falade made the remark recently at the graduation ceremony of the Solar Energy Training Scheme (SETS) organized by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Ado-Ekiti.

    Speaking as the special guest of honour at the event, Oba Falade who is the Obaloja of Oloje-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area expressed worry about the youths’ obsession with politics in Ekiti State.

    The monarch expressed dismay with the number of youths who showed up at the programme saying had the event been a political rally, it would have attracted the youth in large numbers.

    The royal father explained that massive unemployment in the land gave rise to the Boko Haram insurgency and the use of youths as thugs by desperate politicians.

    “We need more of this programme, assuming there is a political rally, there will be more people especially our youths here and we want this type of programme at the grassroots.

    “If the unemployment problem is addressed, crime will reduce. It is the massive unemployment in the land that has given rise to the Boko Haram menace.

    “If you graduate and have  a job, you will not want to be used as a political thug. This type of programmes will get our youths positively engaged”, Oba Falade explained.

    Speaking earlier, the NDE Director General, Malam Abubakar Mohammed, explained that solar energy has become the obvious alternative to the prevailing epileptic power problem in the country.

    Abubakar whose speech was read by the NDE State Coordinator, Mrs. Adeola Shafaru, stated that unemployed graduates of tertiary institutions were trained in solar energy generation from the abundant sunshine across Nigeria.

    He disclosed that a total number of 700 unemployed graduates across the federation were trained in the design, procurement, installation and maintenance of solar energy equipment for the harvesting of solar energy for electricity generation.

    The NDE boss described solar energy as a viable alternative source of energy as the traditional sources become scarcer.

     

  • Job creation, others our focus, says Jumia

    Jumia recorded a tremendous growth in 2014 achieving major milestone and breaking new frontiers since inception.

    In 2015, the firm promises to further ensure quality retail and an even improved customer services for the Nigerian shopper.

    The firm promises to work harder to be the Amazon and Walmart of Africa making stronger their Human Capital Development with the aim to double the size of Jobs created in 2014 through expansion of various aspects of their business.

    The firm had 1,500 000 applicants in 2014, a whopping 83percent of the Nigerian graduates yearly. Also with the Jumia Academy, geared at building entrepreneurs out of every single ‘Jumian’, Offline Manager Jumia Nigeria, Afam Anyika said, “We will continue to discover and nurture such talent in growing the nation’s economy and eventually creating many more job opportunities for young Nigerians. As has been the case some employees who left Jumia through the years have moved on to start profitable businesses of their own backed with adequate knowledge transfer , best practice, innovation and technological knowhow where needed.”

    He added, “As it has always been our culture, in 2015, we will ensure an all-round satisfying customer experience further increasing the capacity of our delivery infrastructure for better and faster delivery services across all 36 states in the country including the FCT.”

    The Nation Shopping learnt that Jumia’s Market place has also become a force to reckon with in the retail industry as it provides a veritable platform where merchants can meet and interact with a nationwide audience, constantly empowering SMEs which is a significant driver of the nation’s economy.

    Having also given customers an even wider choice of assortment of premium products from both local and international brands alike to choose from, Jumia is saying, the year will be an experience that will further redefine retail shopping and consumer behaviour in Nigeria.

  • Election: Job creation tops agenda

    Election: Job creation tops agenda

    Youth unemployment has been on the increase in the country. This is a development that should give every responsible government serious concern. Politicians seeking elective offices in next month’s general elections have, however, promised to commit billions of naira to job creation, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    IT is  electioneering season  and candidates seeking political offices have been unveiling their agenda and job creation seemed to have topped their list.

    One of them, Lagos State All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate Akinwunmi Ambode,  said he would set up a Lagos Employment Trust Fund (LETF) with N25 billion over the next four years. This, according to him, will enhance access to a minimum of N1billion yearly finance across the five divisions in the state.

    He said: “That will allow our youths and unemployed people have access to adequate finance for entrepreneurial ventures. We will protect the growth of our small and medium scale enterprises by providing tax incentives. We will implement government policies that will encourage the private sector to employ more citizens and foster economic development.”

    Ambode also promised to seek collaboration with the private sector to ensure the sustainability of the state bursary and scholarship initiatives for tertiary institutions, capacity development for the informal sector as well as skill acquisition through technical and vocational training for residents of the state.

    “We will encourage the private sector to partner with government in this regard as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). We will also deepen skills,” he said.

    He also plans to increase employment through investment in Agriculture. “We will provide incentives for agricultural processing companies, thereby providing employment for our bulging youth population,” he added.

    In addition, he said part of his agenda is to create a secondary market for job creation by engaging youths in sports, tourism and entertainment. “To make our state a tourism destination in Africa, we will also develop our waterfront by providing recreational facilities and encourage investors to invest more in tourism infrastructure. Our unique cultural heritage will be promoted and enhanced to attract tourists globally. This will also create a secondary market for job creation. We will create community sport centers to encourage our youth development. We will partner with the entertainment industry to develop sustainable structures and frameworks to support interested and upcoming youths,” he said.

    For his re-election bid, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun is planning to further boost employment after employing no fewer than 50,000 youths in the state through direct and indirect employment in 43 months of his administration. Considering his  mission to rebuild the state, he promised to create more jobs if re-elected. According to him, the feat he achieved earlier was made possible by his administration’s holistic approach to unemployment, which include creating an enabling environment for business and industries to thrive.

    Before he was elected in 2011, he disclosed that close to one million youths were unemployed in the state. He, however, said the trend was gradually reducing on a daily as about 46 industries with at least $100 million investments had sprang up under his administration. He added that some of them engaged about 4,500 staff in a day through job-shifts.

    In Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has also put job creation on the front burners of his agenda. The Oyo North Senatorial District youth leader of the APC, Hon. Salihi Dauda Ajana said Ajumobi has done more than enough to deserve a second time. He said in the history of the state, he is the first to appoint the highest number of youth. “I’ve found out that 90 per cent of those employed were teachers while other sectors were neglected. The employment created by this administration cuts across all ministries and professions. It is the highest in the history of this state,” he said.

    Ajimobi also employed 20, 000 people into the Youth Empowerment Scheme of Oyo State (YES-O).

    Ajimobi said he deserved a second term because his achievements during the first term are impeccable. The governor said he had put smiles on the faces of traders evacuated from the streets by building a befitting shopping complex and empowering them with N20 million to trade.

    According to the governor, the government had also given N300 million to 6,000 traders and artisans at N50,000 each, noting that his ‘stomach infrastructure’ policy had been in practical terms and not just about propaganda. The sum of N300 million was offered at no-interest as loans among 6,000 traders across the 33 Local Government Areas of Oyo State. Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, Mr Isiaka Kolawole, said that the scheme is aimed at boosting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and grant small businesses access to funds.

    He stressed that Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) as government agency responsible for the creation and development of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country, has a crucial role to play in translating the government’s agenda of drastic reduction of unemployment and poverty among Nigerians.

    Ajimobi regretted that in the past, Oyo State did not take advantage of partnering with SMEDAN to translate some of its programmes that are geared towards fighting youth unemployment and poverty alleviation in the state.

    “Oyo State will be in active partnership and collaboration with SMEDAN to derive maximum benefits of your laudable programmes that could positively change the lives of our people. Henceforth, Oyo State government will participate fully in all SMEDAN programmes so that the state could benefit from the good gesture of empowering the people through creation and developing of small businesses,” he promised.

    Apart from these states, political office seekers for the position of governorship are making efforts to ensure that job creation remain a top agenda of their manifestoes while those seeking re-election are not waving off their past efforts in the areas of job creation.

    At the federal level, the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) and APC have also promised to create an environment where millions of youth would be employed directly and indirectly.  APC presidential candidate, Major-General Muhammedu Buhari (rtd) said he would build a country that provides jobs for its young people, reduce unemployment to the lowest of single digits and provide safety nets so that no one is left behind. He also added that if elected, entrepreneurship will thrive, enterprise flourishes and the government will gets out of the way so that people can create value, build the economy and aggressively expand wealth.

    Buhari, promised to create job opportunities through agriculture and mining, if elected. “My administration will focus on agriculture and mining as a way to secure jobs for able Nigerians. There is a circle of insecurity, unemployment and corruption in the country, which I will break when elected next month.

    “I have faith that 2015 is the year we shall begin to write a new story – a story of our youth creating jobs and expanding the frontiers of innovation and creativity everywhere from Mavin Records to the Co-Creation Hub; a story of genuine investment in our children and students be they in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka or in the Delta State University, Abraka; a country that finally makes a permanent shift from our debilitating dependence on the free-falling price of crude oil,” he said.

    PDP presidential flag-bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to create eight million jobs for Nigerian youth in the next four years if re-elected as president. He made this promise at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta while addressing a PDP  rally.

    The president said he was already collaborating with influential persons in the private sector to bring this promise to fruition. He further said job creation would engender poverty alleviation and wealth creation.

    However, economic experts believe this commitment if well implemented will solve unemployment problem in the country most especially as the electorate appear ready to follow the wind of change blowing across the country as a result of dismal performance of the economy.