The Nation Newspaper

Tag: unemployment

  • Lagos to tackle unemployment with ICT

    Lagos State Government has promised to reduce the problem of youth mass unemployment with Information Communication Technology (ICT).

    The state said it will provide additional Wi-Fi access in schools, bus terminals and several parks/gardens in addition to such facility already existing at the Ndubuisi Kanu; Johnson, Jakande & Tinubu as well as Muri Okunola Parks in Lagos.

    Commissioner for Science and Technology Mr Hakeem Popoola Fahm said this at ongoing briefing by ministries to mark Governor Akinwunmi Ambode third anniversary.

    Fahm noted that the state government has concluded plans to transform the Sabo Industrial Estate in Yaba into a Technology Hub and another Silicon Valley where a new set of entrepreneurs will be raised to address the challenges confronting the nation in the ICT sector.

    He explained that government saw the need to embrace software development and key into its vast available employment opportunities to drastically reduce unemployment in the state.

    According to him, the government has set up a Committee on the ICT Hub and all hands are on deck to ensure a successful implementation.

    He reiterated the state’s desire to install additional 10,000 High Definition (HD) Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across the state as part of the comprehensive Smart City Programme,  saying that the smart city initiative, which is on course, was intended to allow the people and companies operate in a safe and secure environment.

    “In the second phase of the project, we will be deploying 10,000 HD cameras, world class e-Government solution and data centre solution, one key alarm, metro fibre network to serve as backbone for communication and unified communications with smart phones for first respondent agencies such as police, fire service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), among others,” Fahm said.

    He said the initiative would address security, transportation and infrastructure in a sustainable manner.

    “The security component will deploy thousands of surveillance CCTV cameras through the length and breadth of the State. The transportation component focuses on Intelligent Transport Service (ITS) and the connectivity component with provision of a metro fibre network through a major Internet Service Provider (IPS) that will eventually lead connectivity to various homes, offices and institutions in the State,” Fahm said.

  • ‘Offa robbery caused by unemployment’

    A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 in Kwara State, Hakeem Lawal, has described the Offa robbery as unwarranted and unfortunate.

    He attributed rising banditry in the country to youth unemployment, saying there was a nexus between banditry and joblessness.

    Lawal spoke when he visited the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mohammed Muftau Gbadamosi, to condole with him over attacks on some banks.

    He identified massive creation of jobs as a panacea to avert such criminality.

    According to him, it behoves the authorities to employ modern strategies to curb crime.

    He urged the people to see the incident as divine, saying they should use it to renew their commitment in strengthening their love.

    High Chief Joseph Bayo Akinola, who spoke for Oba Gbadamosi, hailed Lawal for sharing in their moment of grief.

  • I will tackle unemployment in Ekiti, says aspirant

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant for the coming election in Ekiti State, Mrs. Yaya Kolade, has said she will tackle unemployment if she becomes the governor.

    Kolade, who spoke at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja yesterday, said she would create jobs for youths, adding that she was in the race to improve people’s well-being.

    She said if elected, her administration would improve health care standard to make it be at par with that of Lagos State. “I’ve already put in place, long and short term plans to develop Ekiti and better people’s lives,” Mrs. Kolade added.

    She said she would ensure women emancipation, noting that although she did not have a political godfather, she was not threatened by any political bigwig.

    The aspirant hoped that she would get the party´s ticket at the primary election slated for May 5.

    She said she had the backing of women and generality of the people.

  • ‘Local content’ll solve unemployment crises’

    The adoption and implementation of local content policies in key sectors of the economy will address the high unemployment rate in Nigeria, Executive Secretary Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, has said.

    He stated this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at an event organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD), Nigeria, where he made a presentation as the guest speaker.

    In his presentation titled: Addressing Unemployment: Local Content Option, Wabote regretted that for many years, until lately, Nigeria had regarded crude oil as a commodity, instead of a resource.  This situation resulted in the loss of all in-country value-adding activities and opportunity to capture the full benefits of the derivatives of crude oil.

    He noted that the enactment of Local Content Law in the oil and gas industry and its implementation has become a game changer, helping Nigeria to claw back work, services and spend, which used to leave the country to other parts of the world. He reiterated that the essence of local content policy is “domiciliation and domestication”.

    Stating that the oil and gas sector is not a huge employer of labour, compared to Agriculture, the Executive Secretary commended the current emphasis on Agriculture and diversification by the Federal Government of President Muhammad Buhari. He also lauded the Federal Government’s reinforcement of the Local Content Policy through the issuance of Executive Order 5, designed to boost local content practice in other critical sectors of the economy.

    He argued that with the huge unemployment figure of about 16 million from the Bureau of Statistics (NBS), a staggering number equal to the total population of three West African countries of Sierra Leone, Togo and Liberia, Nigeria needs to extend Local Content practice to other critical sectors like Agriculture, ICT, Construction, Power and Manufacturing in order to tackle the scourge of unemployment in the country.

    Wabote also argued that for Nigeria to derive full benefits from Agriculture, it must look at the various derivatives across Agricultural supply chain as to create jobs and boost the economy. He cautioned, “we must not repeat the mistake of ‘commodity trading’ with agriculture”.

    Speaking further, he enjoined the Directors to be circumspect about agreements with foreign development partners and financiers and ensure that their companies do not pen contracts which would lead to loss of jobs for Nigerians.

  • Inconsistent in govt policies causing unemployment, says Peace Corp chief

    The National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Dickson Akoh, yesterday attributed the cause of unemployment in the country to faulty and inconsistent government policies.

    Akoh lamented that government has created different skills acquisition programs without proper and efficient monitoring agencies to ensure it achieves the desired aim.

    He spoke in Abuja at a seminal on youth unemployment and national security.

    The PCN boss also said deficiency in school curricula and poor teacher training have contributed to the failure of educational institutions to impact in their students the appropriate skills to make them employable.

    Akoh, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Commandant in-charge of Administration, Dr. Edet Ekpenyong, said: “Acquisition of special and relevant skills and creation of jobs have remained a focal point in the Nigerian Government Policy overtime without proper implementation. However, factors which include inadequate funding and late release of funds from the Federation Account among others have impaired the effectiveness of these programs.

    “Similarly, there is a lack of vibrant industries to absorb competent graduates, an obstacle that is partly caused by an infrastructural deficit and a debilitating Structure Adjustment Programme (SAP) implemented by Nigerian Government in the 1980s, which led to the closure of many industries and from which the country is yet to fully recover.

    “The youth unemployment situation has equally been aggravated by flawed and inconsistent government policies on employment. In Nigeria, massive youth unemployment has led to rising cases of robbery, ethnic/youth military, kidnapping and of recent terrorism. These criminals have always exposed the soft underbelly of our security agencies. Even with the best soldiers and policemen in the world, there is no way the country could maintain meaningful security with such a high unemployment figure. The way we approach economic issues in Nigeria shows that we do not understand what security means and are not yet ready to tackle the problem.”

     

     

  • Farmers’ group to tackle unemployment

    A group, African Farmers and Cultural Organisation (AFCO), has  mapped out strategies to reduce unemployment among youths through agriculture.

    AFCO, which has members across the country, aims at using agriculture to correct social vices due to unemployment, and to redirect the government’s policies towards agro-based economy.

    At its programme tagged: “Job creation/empowerment for the unemployed” in Lagos, its founder, Prince Chukwunwike Moses Esiole, said the  group was striving to create jobs through agriculture.

    He said the approach was to train youths to explore the various aspects of farming. “Any job seeker, who wants to go into farming and does not have the technical knowhow and logistics, AFCO will train you in the area you want to be specialised and empower you also. As a member of our organisation, if you do not have a job, no idea of what to do, no good educational background, and no skills, AFCO will develop your skills through our Institute of Fine Arts and  empower you financially.”

    Its Secretary-General, Francis Sokomba, said AFCO would organise a farmers’ friendship festival to promote  food  production  and  sustainable livelihood strategies.

    “Our traditions and heritage have always been powered by food rites, and our co-existence is relatively secured by agriculture. Through this event, we  are  welcoming ideas and seeking co-operation from Africans in the Diaspora,” he said.

    At the event were Chief Adione Gabriel Ifeanyichukwu, Mrs Tracy Esiole, Nollywood actor Victor Osuagwu and other top dignitaries.

  • 65% of women unemployed, says ULC

    The United Labour Congress (ULC) has said the unemployment rate among women, which stands at 65 per cent, is unacceptable.

    Its President Comrade Joe Ajaero urged the Federal Government to ensure the rights of women and address hunger.

    Ajaero said: “Unemployment among women at around 65 per cent is unacceptable; sexual violence and abuse against the girl-child that suggest that 25 per cent of women experience this wickedness before the age of 18 is frightening.

    “Maternal mortality of about 145 deaths per day in Nigeria must be reduced. The killings in the northern part of Nigeria where majority of its victims are women and children should be addressed”.

    “We must take responsibility for the negative actions against our women. The continued silence in the face of this exclusion is conspiratorial and truly demonstrates our general attitude to critical issues that affect the development of Nigeria.”

    The labour leader said women could not continue to bear the brunt of the nation’s mismanagement, adding that if there was no thing the country could do, at least, it could take steps to protect women from the path of error, which men have chosen to tread.

    “How we treat our women tells the world who we are and how serious we hold the fabled quest for national development,” Ajaero noted.

    He said the participation of women in every facet of national life should not be treated trivially as was obtainable in the country; it should be pursued as a national priority.

    “If we understand that women make up a larger percentage of Nigeria’s population then, actions and behaviours or policies that subtly deny them unfettered participation in our national life are not only unpatriotic but must be held in contempt by all men of conscience,” he said.

    Ajaero urged women to seek the creation of platforms that would protect, project and serve as continuous advocacy instrument for pushing the frontiers of the struggle for women emancipation.

  • Ahmed decries youth unemployment

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged governments to do more to reduce youth unemployment and restiveness.

    He restated his government’s commitment to give full scholarship to 195 students to begin entrepreneurship training at the International Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC), Ajase-Ipo, Kwara State.

    Ahmed called on contractors, corporate bodies, organisations and individuals to sponsor youths to the college as part of their corporate social responsibilities.

    According to the governor, the college was established to provide youths with entrepreneurship skills to help them key into the economic challenges. At the end of their training, beneficiaries will be supported through Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).

    He said: “Gone were the days when youths depended on government to secure white collar jobs. Today, the government’s pre-occupation is to create enabling environment for youths to acquire prerequisite trainings to be independent and self-reliant.”

  • Ngige seeks lasting solution to unemployment

    Ngige seeks lasting solution to unemployment

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has called for measures to curb rising unemployment.

    Job creation policies and programmes, he said, must anticipate future labour market requirements rather than reacting to them.

    Ngige, who spoke  while inaugurating the National Employment Council and unveiling the revised National Employment Policy in Abuja, said: “In co-ordinating implementation of strategies to fast-track employment creation, we must bear in mind that such strategies are most likely to be successful, if they anticipate future labour market requirement rather than reacting to them.

    He said Nigeria had to move away from past approaches where strategies for employment creation and poverty alleviation were done in response to crises, or as temporary measures to mitigate the impact.

    Ngige said unemployment is a global challenge, adding that Nigeria, like other nations, needs to take proactive measures towards curbing the menace, stressing that the concern is even more urgent due to the link between youth idleness and perennial violent crimes in the different parts of the country, which pose threat to socio-economic stability.

    Ngige said the task before the council was formidable. He expressed confidence in the council’s ability to come up with the solution that will, in the medium and long-term, reverse the alarming trend of unemployment.

    “The task before this council is formidable. However, with the calibre of members of this council, which is made up of renowned experts, practitioners and policymakers in development and employment promotion, I have no doubt in my mind that you have what it takes to proffer solutions that will, ultimately, halt and in the medium and long-term reverse the current unemployment situation in the country,” the minister said.

    The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Bolaji Adebiyi, said  unemployment and poverty are critical challenges that  require  concerted efforts of all stakeholders to address.

    Adebiyi emphasised that it was in a bid to address the unemployment crisis that the National Employment Policy was formulated with the aim of consolidating into an integrated and coherent document, a beacon for attaining full employment for Nigerians, particularly the youth.

  • Fed Govt not unmindful of unemployment, poverty situation, says minister

    Fed Govt not unmindful of unemployment, poverty situation, says minister

    THE Federal Government is not unmindful of the country’s unemployment and poverty situation, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said yesterday.

    He said such problems and other structural conditions, which he noted were responsible for violent extremism, were being addressed on daily basis by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    The minister spoke in Abuja at the public presentation of Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    Listing the achievements of the present administration, Mohammed mentioned the Anchors Borrowers Programmes, which has created over 6.3 million jobs for farmers through rice farming.

    The minister said the Federal Government had served no fewer than 246.4 million meals to primary school pupils across 20 states under the National Home Grown School feeding programmes.

    Mohammed said 10.27 million children have been enrolled in schools in the Northwest and Northcentral zones in the last one year.

    According to him, the N-Power programme, which has engaged and deployed about 200,000 Nigerians, would increase with about 300,000 this year following the steps of government to expand the programme.

    The Boko Haram terrorist group, the minister added, has been decimated and put on the run by the nation’s military due largely to Buhari’s leadership and political will which served as morale booster for the troops.

    He said: “Thanks to the leadership and political will demonstrated by the President, which has served as a morale booster for our gallant men and women in uniform, Boko Haram has been decimated and put on the run by our gallant military.

    “The record of success is there for all to see: At least, 30,000 hostages kidnapped by Boko Haram extremist group, including women and Children, have been rescued by the military. More than 100 Chibok girls have so far been rescued.

    “The government is committed to the safe return of the remaining Chibok girls while rehabilitating and reuniting them with their families and communities. Sambisa Forest has become too hot for Boko Haram and they are now escaping to neighbouring communities.

    “Boko Haram is no longer able to carry out organised attacks. They hold no territory and their flag, which they were flying in Bama and other territories they used to occupy, has become a shroud”.

    The minister assured that his ministry would partner with all critical stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of the policy framework and action plan against violent extremism in the country.

    He said as a soft approach towards tackling the country’s security, the administration would engage critical stakeholders in dialogue aimed at finding lasting solutions to the problems of herder/farmer conflicts, among others.

    He added that government is taking a bold step to recharge the Lake Chad Basin, which has shrunk by 90 per cent since 1963, stressing that the holistic approach of government on the Basin would make lives more bearable for people within the area whose economic activities have been affected negatively.

    National Security Adviser Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno said following Buhari’s directive on the implementation of the framework on August 24, 2017, it was, therefore, expedient to make a public presentation of the document to enable key stakeholders and principal actors key into its goals and objectives.

    He said the framework, which is in tandem with international laws and best practices, adopted a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach for maximum benefits.

    “Accordingly, it encourages the active participation of line ministries, departments and agencies as well as critical stakeholders from the different sectors of the civil society such as religious actors, youths, teachers, women and community based organisations.

    “It provides a National Plan of Action at Federal, states and local government levels to ensure the delivery of targeted intervention that are both relevant and PCVE-specific,” Monguno said.