Stories by ANDREW OJIEZEL
THE Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, has stated that Federal Government intends to tackle frontally the problem of mass on unemployment.
The Minister who made this known during the NDE special day in the just concluded 2015 trade fair stated that LCCI theme, ‘enhancing value addition in non-oil economy’ deserves commendation for adopting a theme which essentially underscores the President Muhammadu Buhari to diversify the Nigerian economy through the revitalization of non-oil sectors.
Ngige who was represented by one of directors in NDE, stated that “Investment in the non-oil sector, industrial, manufacturing, agricultural and solid minerals will lead to economic growth and development because of is potential impact on generating additional revenue, reducing unemployment and alleviating poverty.”
Likewise, the Director General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Malam Abubakar Mohammed has disclosed that the agency has trained 64,530 persons in productive activities across the country.
Mohammed who made this known during the NDE special day in the just concluded 2015 trade fair, organised by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) stated that as Federal Government has made attempts to bring about a holistic shift from over dependence on oil and gas as a major revenue earner for the country, government is shifting is to other sector like agriculture.
NDE, explained Mohammed, has developed a new concept of agricultural practices and production that is strategically designed to take agriculture from subsistence level to modern agribusiness for value addition, job creation, poverty reduction and wealth creation under the NDE agricultural commercial hub with high employment potential and consists of basic infrastructure and equipment for technology driven farming activities in clusters such as poultry and fish production.
“Let me implore all unskilled and unemployed person persons to avail themselves of the numerous opportunities available in the programmes and activities of NDE in order to step out of circle of joblessness.
The DG that was represented by John Isokan, stated “I am proud to inform you that despite the difficulties occasioned by the harsh economic conditions in the country, the NDE has continued to strive towards the effective discharge of its statutory mandate of mass employment creation for the unemployed in the country.
Through the careful implementation of our four core programmes, vocational skills development programme; small scale enterprises programme; rural employment promotion programme and special public works programme. So, between the months of January and September 2015, about 64,530 persons have been in productive activities across the country.