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Tag: Jobs

  • It’s not govt responsibility to create jobs – Femi Adesina

    It’s not govt responsibility to create jobs – Femi Adesina

    Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has said it is not the responsibility of the government to create jobs.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Adesina stated this on Tuesday when he appeared in an interview on Arise Television.

    Speaking on the achievements of Buhari in the last eight years, Adesida noted that all that the government does is create an enabling environment for creating jobs while the private sector creates jobs.

    On President Buhari’s promise to create 3 million jobs annually in 2015, Adesina said, “Did you say 3 million was the promise?

    “I wouldn’t say he put a figure. What I recall was that President Buhari gave the per cent of joblessness in the country.

    “I wouldn’t recall that he gave a specific figure for the number of jobs we are creating. For all you know, that may have come from anywhere.

    “Regard as it may, it is the job and the duty of the government to create an enabling environment for jobs in the country. It is not the government itself that creates jobs. All it does is to create an enabling environment,” he said.

    Adesina, however, noted that Buhari has achieved in all sectors including oil and gas, infrastructure, legislative matters, and security.

    “Most of the jobs you need in a country would come from the private sector. As long as you have an enabling environment, it is the private sector that will create the jobs,” he said.

  • Getting descent jobs in 2023 likely to be harder – ILO

    Getting descent jobs in 2023 likely to be harder – ILO

    The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has said finding decent and well-paid jobs is likely to be harder in 2023, thanks to the continuing global economic downturn.

    The UN labour agency on Monday, in a statement, said global employment was set to grow by just one per cent in 2023, less than half of last year’s level.

    The number of people unemployed around the world is also expected to rise slightly, to 208 million, it said.

    This corresponds to a global unemployment rate of 5.8 per cent – or 16 million people – according to ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook Trends report published on Monday.

    The UN report warns that today’s economic slowdown “means that many workers will have to accept lower quality jobs, often at very low pay, sometimes with insufficient hours.”

    This is likely already the case in Europe and other developed countries, thanks to the Ukraine war and the continued disruption of global supply chains, both of which are counteracting the robust stimulus packages implemented to ride out the COVID-19 crisis.

    “Real wages we project for 2022 to have declined by 2.2 per cent in advanced countries and of course Europe makes up a significant proportion of advanced countries, versus a rise in real wages in developing countries,” Richard Samans, Director of ILO’s Research Department, said.

    An equally worrying development is the probability that efforts will be dashed to help the world’s two billion informal workers join the formal employment sector, so that they can benefit from social protection and training opportunities.

    “While between 2004 and 2019 we observed decline in incidence of informality globally of five percentage points, it is very likely that this progress will be reversed in the coming years,” Manuela Tomei, ILO’s Assistant Director-General for Governance, Rights and Dialogue, said.

    This is because employment recovery “especially in developing countries, has been biased very much towards informal jobs,” Tomei told journalists in Geneva.

    The ILO report warns that as prices rise faster than wages, the cost-of-living crisis risks pushing more people into poverty.

    This trend comes on top of significant declines in income seen during the COVID-19 crisis, which affected low-income groups most, in many countries.

    Some 214 million workers live in extreme poverty today, “in other words with 1.90 dollars a day,” Tomei explained.

    Although past decades have seen significant progress in poverty reduction, “many of these gains” have been wiped out by the impact of the coronavirus and the ongoing economic crisis, the ILO officer said.

    “So, it’s rather unlikely that by 2030 the very ambitious goal of eliminating poverty in all its forms will be met,” Tomei stated.

    The report also calculates the size of the global jobs gap to have been 473 million in 2022.

    This is around 33 million more than 2019 and it is defined as a measure of the number of people who are unemployed, including those who want employment but are not actively searching for a job, either because they are discouraged or because they have other obligations such as care responsibilities.

    “From a gender perspective, the unequal development of the global jobs market continues to be concerning.

    “Serious gender gaps in terms of labour force participation, in terms of pay, in terms of social protection continue to exist…There are 290 million youth who are not in employment, or in education or in training and young women are faring much worse,” Tomei explained.

  • We’ll create jobs to alleviate poverty in Nigeria – DG SMEDAN

    We’ll create jobs to alleviate poverty in Nigeria – DG SMEDAN

    Mr. Olawale Fasanya, Director General (DG) of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), said the Agency would continue to support entrepreneurs to ceate jobs and alleviate poverty in Nigeria.

    Fasanya said this during the flag off of Women In Self Empowerment Empowerment Programme (WISE-P) in Katsina on Sunday.

    Represented by Alhaji Ado Bello, Director Enterprises and Promotions of the agency, the DG said the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) subsector played a critical role in the transformation of Nigerian economy.

    According to him, MSMEs account for the highest jobs created and poverty alleviation in the country.

    He said a national survey conducted in 2020 showed that 39.6 MSMEs employed 62.5 million people in the country, which represented 80.2 per cent of the national labour force.

    He said in order to ensure access to finance, MSMEs and SMEDAN were partnering with a Non-Governmental Organisation, African Centre for Global Entrepreneurial Leadership (ACGEL), to implement the Leadership Entrepreneurial Game Show (LEGS).

    “The Agency is also partnering with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Jaiz Bank and Sterling Bank to access Matching Fund for Micro and Small Enterprises,” he said.

    Fasanya noted that SMEDAN had implemented a Specialised Skills  programme for Internally Displced Persons, (IDPs), retirees and prison inmates, in six states across the federation.

    He said the states included Ondo, Imo, Katsina, Borno, Rivers and Niger.

    According to him, 240 persons were supported with entrepreneural and vocational skills, 40 people benefitted in the states.

  • How Lagos created over 300,000 jobs in 3 years – Commissioner

    How Lagos created over 300,000 jobs in 3 years – Commissioner

    The Lagos State Government says it created over 300,000 jobs directly and indirectly through the Ministry of Agriculture in different value chains and enterprise from 2019 to date.

    Ms. Abisola Olusanya, State Commissioner for Agriculture said this at a news briefing to flag off activities commemorating 2022 World Food Day on Wednesday, in Alausa.

    World Food Day is held annually on Oct.16 to encourage action on food security.

    The theme for 2022 is, “Leave No One Behind. Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life”.

    She said the jobs were created through programmes such as Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS project), Lagos Agriprenuership programme (LAP) and Lagos Agric Scholar’s programme.

    Olusanya listed other programmes as Young African Works Capacity programme through IITA in collaboration with MasterCard Foundation and Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, among many other interventions and programmes in the area of training.

    She added that the 32 Metric Tons Per Hour Rice mill, in Imota, Ikorodu would be inaugurated in November as it was nearing completion with civil works and installation of equipment now at 97 per cent.

    According to her, in the last three years, the administration trained 51, 467 beneficiaries, and empowered 5,691 women and youths cut across the various programmes.

    “You can imagine that in the area of job created, at least directly or indirectly, about 300,000 jobs have been created in the last three years by this administration in the agric space.

    “The state government has provided several facilities and production inputs to 6,983 beneficiaries through the Agricultural Value Chain Enterprise Activation Programme between the year 2019 and 2022.

    “About 800 women were trained in Nutrition Development by Women in Agriculture (WIA) and Nutrition.

    “Over 1,200 participants have enrolled in AGSMEIS training portal. This initiative links farmers (Individuals/ Lagos Agripreneurial Programme (LAP) with CBN Agribusiness Credit Facilities.

    “Also, about 500 entrepreneurs were trained to access this loan based on their enterprise,” she said.

    Olusanya said that 1800 women and youths were trained and empowered in various Agricultural Value Chains under the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP).

    She said that graduates of the programme were exposed to three months of internship and mentoring at various farms and agrobusinesses throughout the state.

    “Some beneficiaries are being trained as we speak. 1,738 youths were trained in the Young African Works Capacity Building Programme through the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA),

    “Also, 819 farmers and youths were trained in the production and processing of catfish in collaboration with British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation,

    “Twenty women’s groups were trained and equipped with 150 ice boxes, 15 smoking kilns, and 120 hermetic drums through the National Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI),” she said.

    Olusanya listed activities lined-up to commemorate the forthcoming 2022 World Food Day from Oct. 5 to 18 in the state.

    She said they include Road Walk/ Sensitisation, Farmers’ forum at Igando-Ikotun LCDA and Schools’ Agric Quiz Competition for studnets in state’s public secondary schools.

    Others, according to her, are Ofada Rice Day Symposium for promotion on local varieties of rice; grand finale with the Governor on Oct. 16 at the Nigeria Police College, GRA and the launch of EKO-Mechanisation at Araga, Epe.

    She said the state government would also use the day to raise awareness on the significance of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle among its farming population and Lagosians in general.

    “As you are well aware, World Food Day is held annually on October 16, to encourage action on food security.

    “The day actually coincides with the day the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation was founded in 1945 to combat food insecurity.

    “This year’s World Food Day comes up in the midst of serious food security issues occasioned by the effect of COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity.

    “Also, violent conflicts across the globe, principally the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and locally, the insurgency and security in the food production regions of the country,” she said.

    Olusanya said the myriad of challenges had severely impacted global food supply, which called for intensified efforts geared towards building more sustainable food systems.

    She said this was to scale up food production, prevent and reduce food wastes, provide decent livelihood opportunities for rural, peri-urban and urban producers, and promote sustainable ways of food production, processing and marketing.

    According to her, it is also to ensure food and nutrition security for all consumers and value chain actors, without leaving no one behind.

    The commissioner listed some of the programmes and initiatives undertaken by the state government to raise local food production.

    She said that they include Lagos CARES, the 32 metric tons per hour rice mill, Imota, prevention of transmission of zoonotic diseases, and capacity building and empowerment of farmers, women and youths.

    She said others include Lagos Food System Transformation Agenda and Lagos Scholars’ Programme (LASP) .

    “Furthermore, Food system policy and planning has been our major focus, this is evidenced by the launch of the 5-year Agricultural and Food Systems Road Map in 2021 by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    “It is to create the pathway for the achievement of 40 per cent self-sufficiency in food production by 2025 against the present 20 per cent food production level.

    “The Road Map highlights policies to encourage youth participation, stimulate private sector investments, attract donor agency funding for agricultural projects and create new partnerships along the various agricultural value chains, especially where the State has competitive and comparative advantages.

    “The Imota rice mill is part of the government’s commitment towards ensuring food security in the state which is a key component of the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda to make Lagos State a 21st-Century economy.

    “The establishment of the rice mill is expected to reduce cost of rice locally, enhance food self-sufficiency and increase revenue generation in the State and the Country at large.

    “The mill is nearing completion as civil works and installation of equipment is at 97 per cent and should be inaugurated in the next couple of weeks,” she said.

    Olusanya noted that the state government had purchased 20 new tractors with auxiliary equipment for farmers in the state in addressing food security, leveraging more acreage and increasing the state’s economic contribution through Agricultural Mechanisation.

    She said that the tractors would be utilised as part of the Tractor-On-the-Go operational paradigm (TOG).

  • How Lekki deep-sea port will create jobs – Muazu Sambo

    How Lekki deep-sea port will create jobs – Muazu Sambo

    Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Muazu Sambo has said that the Lekki Deep-Sea Port project would create 112,000 jobs for Nigerians upon its completion.

    Sambo gave the declaration on Sunday while speaking to newsmen in Jalingo.

    He said that the port, which was second in Nigeria after Onne Deep-Sea Port, has the potentials to garner more revenues for the country.

    The minister also said that the project would impact positively on the nation’s economy.

    “The Lekki deep-sea port project, which is the second after Onne Deep Sea Port in Nigeria is very significant, because the largest ships in the world can berth at the Port.

    “That means, more tonnage, more cargo, more revenue for the port and for the country, more economic activities.

    ” And above all, more jobs, like I said,  over 112, 000 both direct and indirect jobs will be created as a result of the creation of the Lekki deep-sea port.

    “This will be in the first few years and as time goes on and as activities expand, the number of jobs will even multiply and that is what is good for us.

    “For as more jobs we have, the more our ability to put food on the table of many Nigerians,’ Sambo said.

    Sambo said that his redeployment from the federal ministry of Works and Housing to Transportation would not affect the ongoing execution of road projects in the state.

    According to him, the ongoing road projects in the state will be completed by the latter.

    Sambo assured that he would explore the option of ‘Corporate Social Responsibilities’ from agencies in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, which would positively impact on the lives of the people in the state.

    “I have being given assurance from the ministry of Works and Housing that as soon as funds are released from the federal ministry of Finance,  contractors will receive their outstanding payments and will be able to continue with their work.

    “My movement to the ministry of Transportation does not mean that the impact of infrastructure in Taraba as far as road is concerned will end.

    ” Even in the federal ministry of transportation, we have agencies that have corporate social responsibilities to execute projects.

    “Such corporate social responsibilities will include all those activities that will touch the lives of the common man including township roads.

    “And I intend to explore that option to be able to bring more succour to the people of Taraba State,” the minister added.

    Sambo advised political party supporters in the state to imbibe the spirit of peace and brotherliness during and after the political parties’ campaigns.

    ”No contest in this life that is worth dying for except the contest for the face of God.

    “We should approach this election with calmness, peace and brotherliness, because there is no contest in this life that is worth dying for except the contest for the face of God.

    “Any other contest is a matter that ends here. Everybody wants to win election ostensibly to better the lives of his people, so whosoever wins should be embraced.

    ” There is no contest worth shading the blood of a brother and a sister or even habouring hatred, just because you support one candidate and I support another,” he urged.

  • No jobs in government anymore – Buhari tells Nigerian youths

    No jobs in government anymore – Buhari tells Nigerian youths

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged youths to acquire knowledge not towards getting government jobs as there are no “jobs in government anymore.”

    He also urged youths to acquaint themselves with history to avoid making the same mistakes of the past.

    According to a statement signed on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said this when he paid a Sallah homage visit to the Emir of Daura, Faruk Faruk, at his Palace.

    The statement is titled ‘Train, educate your children on right values, the world is changing, President Buhari tells Nigerians.’

    He implored parents to inculcate right values in children, including deep fear of God, respect for constituted authorities and living a purposeful life through continuous education.

    “We should ensure the children get proper education. The knowledge they acquire should not be towards getting government jobs.

    “We don’t have jobs in government anymore. With technology, governments are becoming smaller, nimble and efficient.

    “Emphasis should now be on skills acquisition and competence in creation and deployment of technology. During the COVID-19, we asked all level 12 downwards to stay at home, and surprisingly, the systems worked effectively,” the President said.

    He also noted that the younger children should be guided and taught history, as they would find it hard to be patriotic, responsible and respectful, without a thorough understanding of their backgrounds.

    “Whoever does not have a good sense of history will easily make mistakes,” he said.

    President Buhari told the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Faruk, that he will be more regular in visits, preparatory to the handing over in May, 2023, adding that the prolonged absence was due to the demands of his office.

    “This is the longest I have been away from home. In fact, the Emir took to the court of public opinion at the prayer ground, when he openly told everyone that I had not visited Daura for close to a year,” he said.

    He urged all Nigerians to make sacrifices to move the country forward, especially the public servants, calling for more selflessness and inclusion.

    “In the end, it is only God that can reward your efforts, not man,” Buhari noted.

    In his remarks, Governor Aminu Masari claimed that, having fed at least 863,000 children under the school feeding programme in Katsina, adding that no government has done more to reduce poverty like the Buhari regime.

    He said every contrary view is held by those who “only think of themselves” and are “never appreciative until something gets to their pockets.”

    Masari said, “No government in the history of this country has done more to reduce poverty like President Buhari’s administration.

    “He asked religious and community leaders to bring enlightenment to bear on successful government programs such as the Social Investment Program, SIP through which 120,000 poor citizens in 12 Local Government Areas of the state receive a monthly payment of N5,000 and this is happening in all the states.

    “Today, we have over 863,000 children in the state being fed under the school feeding program. This has created 10,000 jobs for women cooks, 14,000 young men and women enrolled in N-Power.

    “We have food vendors who are engaged and earning their livelihood. All the foolish talk on social media is by those who only think of themselves. Our elites are never happy or appreciative until something gets to their pockets.”

    Masari who said security in the country had improved considerably under Buhari lamented that “human beings forget easily”.

  • No ‘White collar’ jobs in Nigeria, learn a skill – NYSC DG tells corps members

    No ‘White collar’ jobs in Nigeria, learn a skill – NYSC DG tells corps members

    The Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Fadah, has advised corps members to avail themselves of the opportunity of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAID) and learn a skill.

    According to him, this will prepare them to be self-reliant  post- NYSC.

    Fadah, who resumed office May 15, 2022, gave the advice on Thursday on his first visit to the NYSC Lagos state, while addressing the 2022 Batch B, Stream 1 in the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

    He also urged the corps members to apply the Dos and stay away from all Don’ts of the rules/regulations of the orientation camp.

    According to him, the guidelines which are spelt out in the handbooks given to them have don’ts which are absolute with no and zero tolerance to cultism, drug abuse and negative use of social media among others.

    “As good children, you have to adhere strictly to the camp rules/regulations by doing all the Dos and staying away completely from all the Don’ts as you are observing this orientation programmes

    “Movement anyhow in and outside the camp is not encouraged, don’t do it, but if you must and have cause for such, take necessary permission from the camp.

    “There are no ‘White collar’ jobs out there, that is the reason for the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAID), and you identify the one you want to learn.

    “Take it very seriously. It is an additional knowledge, so that you can have something to practice, take home and fall back on after the one year mandatory service to the fatherland,” he said.

    The NYSC D-G expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government (LASG) for the immense support to the NYSC in Lagos.

    “I really thank the LASG for its unflinching support  to NYSC, Lagos, particularly for the smooth conduct of the orientation camp programmes for corps members deployed here,” he said.

    Mrs Yetunde Baderinwa, NYSC Lagos state Coordinator, in her address on developments in the camp, said the corps members had so far exhibited eagerness to learn SAID, other trainings in camp and imbibed the spirit of nationalism, dedication and resolved to serve their fatherland.

    She said that 2,315 corps members and camp officials were tested at entry point and certified COVID-19 free, while 1,315 were dislodged to Ogun and Oyo states due to limited accommodation.

    “I am happy to inform you sir, that in spite the obvious fact that corps members are from different social-economic and cultural background, they now see themselves as brothers and sisters.

    “Amongst the corps members are three appointed camp directors. The camp clinic has been functioning to optimal capacity with 41 medical personnel, including phamacists, nurses, medical laboratory scientists and dentist.

    “All camp officials, both NYSC and collaborating agencies, are doing exceptionally well in the discharge of their assigned duties and the synergy among them is impressive,” she explained.

    The NYSC Coordinator mentioned some of the programmes carried out  to include Core, Security, discipline/Reward lectures, Reforms, ICT, DSS, SAID (ongoing), core welfare and health services, NDLEA, Deployment,  Relocation and NHIS, Culture/Integrity lectures.

    “Over time, we have had shortage of bunks and mattresses, so far we have refurbished 400 of them, put them all in use and accommodated more corps members.

    “I wish to inform you sir, that LASG is committed to the construction of an ultra-mordern NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Agbowa, Ikorodu; they have given us their words that very soon it will be ready,” Baderinwa added.

    Activities including cultural display and tug of war competition between the  state NYSC Coordinator team and D-G team took place, where the D-G team emerged winner.

  • Google set to create 1.6m jobs in Nigeria

    Google set to create 1.6m jobs in Nigeria

    The Director of Google West Africa, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, has disclosed that Google plans to fund the Equiano subsea cable to boost internet speeds and create 1.6 million jobs in Nigeria.

    She said this during a visit with a team from Google West Africa to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Thursday.

    The team visited the Minister to give him an update on the activities of Google in Nigeria.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Femi Adeluyi, on Wednesday.

    The statement read, “She updated the Minister on Google’s commitment to invest $1bn in Africa over the next five years, from October 2021. The investment includes funding for the Equiano subsea cable.

    “The Equiano cable is expected to enable a five-fold increase in average Internet speeds in Nigeria and create 1.6 million jobs. Equiano, whose name was inspired by a Nigerian, is being launched as it lands at different points on the continent, much like a road construction that is launched as construction progresses.

    “According to the Director, Nigeria is a major landing point for the cable and the launch of this major milestone is expected to take place in April 2022.”

    The Director further informed the Minister of Google’s support for the tech ecosystem in Nigeria through skills development programs and grants, adding that about six million Nigerians have benefited from other digital skills initiatives, and the target is to reach 10 million Nigerians.

    Pantami assured Google that the Federal Government would continue to promote regulations supporting development and innovation.

  • 2022: We will intentionally leverage ICT to create jobs – Buhari

    2022: We will intentionally leverage ICT to create jobs – Buhari

    Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has said in the year 2022 and going forward, his administration would intentionally leverage ICT platforms to create jobs.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari made this known in his statement to the nation on New Year’s day.

    In the statement, Buhari stressed that the administration will also ensure the diversification of the economy to create more support to other emerging sectors.

    The president highlighted the ups and lows of the administration in the outgone year, stressing that 2022 envisions a year of continued progress.

    Read full text of Buhari’s New Year speech below:

    PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI’S STATEMENT TO THE NATION ON JANUARY 1, 2022

    We remain grateful to the Almighty God for yet another Year attained as a country, united by a common destiny and resolute in our determination to overcome the several challenges along the path to build the great and prosperous Nation of our dream.

    2. I salute the courage and resilience of all Nigerians, which was evident in 2021 as this nation, like other countries of the world, faced significant challenges that occurred as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the efforts to restore the global economy and social order.

    3. The persistent insecurity in certain parts of the country may have threatened to unravel the incremental gains achieved in the real sectors of the economy and in the administration’s overall objective to position the nation on the irreversible trajectory of sustainable growth and progress, but I assure you that we will remain resolute in our commitments and shall continue to press ahead with our programmes and plans.

    4. The path to nationhood is often fraught with unpredictable difficulties and challenges, and most tried and tested nations have often prevailed through dogged determination, resilience, concerted commitment to unity, and the conviction that the whole of the nation, standing together against all odds, is by far greater and would ultimately be more prosperous and viable than the sum of its distinguishable parts.

    5. There is no doubt that the issue of Security remains at the front burner of priority areas that this Administration has given utmost attention to. As a follow up to our promise to re-energize and reorganize the security apparatus and personnel of the armed forces and the police, it is on record that this Administration has invested heavily in re-equipping our military in line with upgrading the platforms and firepower required to tackle the current challenges being faced in the country.

    6. The net results of these efforts have been the number of insurgents and bandits who have willingly surrendered to our Security Forces and continue to do so through various channels and the Safe Corridor created for that purpose.

    7. Government, however, realizes that victory on the battlefield is just one aspect of sustainable victory. We know that to fully win this war, we must also win the peace and real security lies in winning the hearts and minds of the affected citizens. To this end, working with our international partners and neighbouring countries, we would be deploying multi-faceted solutions that will be targeted at addressing human security at the grassroots, before it leads to insecurity.

    8. Once again I would like to take a moment to remember and honour the gallant Military, Police Officers, and other security agents who have lost their lives in the cause of protecting the territorial integrity of this Nation against both internal and external aggressors, assuring their families that their sacrifices would not be in vain.

    9. We equally remember and commiserate with Nigerians who have lost loved ones as a result of insecurity in different parts of the country. Every life matters and every single death caused by any form of insecurity is a matter of personal concern to me both as a citizen and as the President of this great country.

    10. We remain fully committed to upholding the constitutional provisions that protect all Nigerians from any form of internal and external aggression.

    11. On the economy, we have shown a high level of resilience to record some significant achievements despite the turbulence that has characterized our economy and indeed the global economy. The lessons we have learned and keep learning from COVID-19 have encouraged us to intensify efforts to mitigate its socio-economic effects on our Nation.

    12. The major wins we have recorded can be clearly seen in Nigeria’s most recent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The 4.03% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2021 is indicative of the recovery being recorded in our economy and the confidence that is being shown through the policies that our Administration has put in place after the outbreak of the pandemic.

    13. We may also recall that this recent growth is closely followed by the 5.1% (year on year) growth in real terms recorded by Nigeria in Quarter 2 of 2021. This growth was one of the best recorded by any nation across Sub-Saharan Africa. The 5.1% growth at that time was and remains the highest growth recorded by the Nigerian economy since 2014.

    14. Despite the challenges we have faced as a Nation, the good news is that we have so far recorded four consecutive quarters of growth after the negative growth rates recorded in Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 of 2020 due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    15. On August 16, 2021 I signed the landmark Petroleum Industry Act into law. The signing of this legacy legislation is a watershed moment in the history of our Nation, considering the massive positive impact the new Act would have on the economy. I would like to sincerely commend the 9th Assembly for the grit they demonstrated, succeeding where others have failed, and the cooperation that led to the completion of this process after almost two decades.

    16. Just like I stated during the investment trips and fora that I have attended recently, the legislation is expected to serve as a liberalizing force in the energy industry, and we are optimistic that this law will provide the much-needed legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the development of the energy sector, the host communities, and Nigeria as a Nation. Our objective to increase Liquefied Natural Gas exports and expand our domestic market is still very much at the forefront of some of the policies we would be pushing in the new year.

    17. In year 2022 and going forward, our Administration would intentionally leverage ICT platforms to create jobs, while ensuring that the diversification of our economy creates more support to other emerging sectors. I am proud to announce that several foreign investors are taking advantage of our ranking as one of the leading start-up ecosystems in Africa to invest in our digital economy.

    18. We have given the utmost priority to fighting corruption and other related offenses which have been a bane to the growth and prosperity of our dear Nation. We have made major strides and breakthroughs through the innovative use of technology and forensics in the investigative and prosecutorial procedures with commendable results to show that the anti-corruption drive of our Administration is succeeding.

    19. In the meantime, the accomplishments that have been recorded so far can be traced to the dedication of the Nation’s anti-corruption Agencies who have received the necessary support needed to effectively prosecute their duties.

    20. Despite our challenges in 2021, it was also a year in which the Administration executed successfully, key projects, programmes, and initiatives to fulfil the promises made under the Security, Economy Anti-corruption (SEA) agenda.

    21. As we welcome 2022, let us, with hope, envision a year of continued progress against our combined challenges arising from security and socio-economic issues.

    22. As it is said, the past is but a story told, the future will still be written in gold. Let us be united in our fight to keep our Nation united against all odds and with gratitude, celebrate life in this new epoch.

    23. I wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year.

  • We have disbursed N100 billion to unemployed Nigerians – FG

    We have disbursed N100 billion to unemployed Nigerians – FG

    The federal government of Nigeria says, through the Development Bank of Nigeria, it has disbursed a total of N100 billion to unemployed Nigerians to create jobs.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo made this known during the launch of the disbursement of empowerment items to women in Jos, Plateau State.

    Represented by the Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Malam Abubakar-Nuhu Fikpo at the event, Keyamo said the disbursement of N100 billion was done through the Development Bank of Nigeria since 2017 to facilitate Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the view to creating jobs to the country’s teeming unemployed.

    “You will all agree with me that unemployment is one of the remote causes of banditry, terrorism, corruption and other forms of criminality.

    “Even though the Federal Government is working hard at check terrorism and all other forms of criminality and violent crimes, it is equally prosecuting the war against mass unemployment.

    ”I am proud that the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) whose board I am privileged to Chair and also directly supervise, is effectively leading that war against mass unemployment.

    “Let me inform you all that the Federal Government has put all plans in place to ensure that businesses succeed in Nigeria. The present administration has launched a series of funding and capacity development initiatives designed to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    ”Since 2017, the Development Bank of Nigeria has disbursed a total of N100 billion through the bank’s 27 participating financial Institutions (PFIs), thereby impacting more than 100,000 MSMEs.

    “It is heartwarming to note that 52 per cent of loans disbursed in 2019 and 2020 were to youths and women-owned businesses,” he said.

    Keyamo, while addressing the beneficiaries, noted that the NDE empowerment of women was designed to ensure that the beneficiaries and trainees acquire relevant and marketable skills that would galvanize them into starting their own businesses.

    ”Our goal is to provide them with quick income-generating opportunities because of their roles in providing family support and sound social stability at the very foundation of society.

    “I am proud to inform you that the Women Employment Branch (WEB) of the Small Scale Enterprises Department of the NDE is responsible for driving initiatives aimed at providing ample opportunities for women with the entire framework of the our employment creation processes.

    ”WEB designs and implements gender specific schemes that provide direct assistance to women. In the last five years, we have been trained in different skills such as interior decoration, bead stringing, shoe and bag making, use of local fabrics, tie and dye and craft beads.

    ”The 425 women to be resettled here today are products of the collaborative efforts of the NDE with the League of Women Voters in Nigeria (NILOWV), and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs as well as other women associations in the eight states where we pilot-tested the collaboration between us and our highly esteemed stakeholders.

    “At this juncture, let me once again appreciate the effort and deep interest of the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs for her concern over the plight of the Nigerian woman.

    ”Our visit to her office made it imperative for the NDE to speed up activities in carrying out the pilot phase of the programme in the eight selected states of Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kano, Katsina, Delta, Enugu and Ogun.

    “Our objective in empowering women is clear. We create employment for women to improve their socio-economic status, reduce poverty, create wealth and boost their leadership qualities so that they can have a say in their immediate community in relevant decision-making processes,” he said.

    He, however, added that the women were also trained in interior decoration, make-over, auto gele tying, food processing and packaging.

    “I am glad to inform you that each of the participants will be given a loan package ranging from N100,000, to N150,000, depending on their choice of skill, to start their own businesses in order to exit the labour market.

    “This will enable them become more responsible to their family and immediate environment,” he added.