TheNewsGuru

Tag: Unemployment

  • BREAKING: Blind protestors seal NASS gate

    BREAKING: Blind protestors seal NASS gate

     

    Physically challenged persons have blocked all entry points to the National Assembly complex protesting marginalisation in the unemployment of its members in the civil service and probate workplace.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports that the protest which began on Tuesday with a peaceful protest at the main gate into the National Assembly complex has now taken a more serious turn with the protest extending to the Secretary to the Government section of the gate now forcing workers to seek alternative routes into the complex.

    As at the time of filing this report no top National Assembly member have spoken to the protesters and efforts to speak to the National Assembly top management is still on going.

    Staff and other visitors to the complex have been advised to explore other routes to gain entrance into the complex and the Villa route seem to be the only option left as of now.

    More details later.

  • Think Tank on Nig Org advocates continuous capacity devt to reduce 50% unemployment of youth

    Think Tank on Nig Org advocates continuous capacity devt to reduce 50% unemployment of youth

    The Think Tank on Nigeria, a policy advocacy group has advised Federal Government to continuously embark on capacity development for Nigerian youths to reduce 50percent unemployment.

    This was contained in a communique issued and signed by all participants at the end of the meeting

    Think Tank on Nigeria Organization is a body of 246 professionals selected across the six geopolitical zones to proffer ways and means to alleviate political and economic problems in Nigeria.

    The deliberation held was aimed at discovering ways to improve youth engagement in the country considering the rising increase of youths, which also forms the bulk of the country’s population.

    The African Youths Charter defines youths as people between the ages of 15-35 years.

    According to the group, the charter was developed after research was conducted on the state of the African Youth, commissioned by the African Union Commission. It was approved and signed by African Heads of State in July 2006.

    They stated that the National Bureau of Statistics, the current youth unemployment rate in Nigeria, increased to 53.40% in the fourth quarter of 2020 from 40.80% in the second quarter of 2020.

    This shows clearly that, 50% of youths were either unemployed or underemployed during the period covered. Thus, making it imperative that actions are taken urgently so that these numbers
    of unemployed youths do not turn to crime. The discussion was moderated by the Convener, Engr. Dideolu Falobi (FNSE, FloD) and the discussion was guided by the following questions:

    Which sector(s) engage the youths the most?

    Which of these sectors should be developed?

    What should the government do to ensure that the youths are usefully engaged?

    After a robust deliberation on the issues relating to youths’ engagement, the following observations and resolutions were made:

    OBSERVATIONS:

    The participants observed that:
    1. There are five groups of youths;
    a) Those of school age who have either dropped out before completion of secondary school or were never in school.

    b) Those who are of school age and are still in school.

    c) Those out of school without employment but not in crime.

    d) Those out of school without employment or under-employed and in crime.

    Those out of school with gainful employment and not in crime.

    2. Practically, all youths in the categories above are engaged in the following sectors; Sports,Education, Entertainment, Politics, Agriculture, Industrialization, ICT and Cottage industry (which is presently underfunded.)

    3. Agriculture (Farming) is a vast employer of labour. Currently, its practice in mundane fashion (Cutlass and how) no longer appeals to youths. Unless, it is mechanised with value added to produce, with an assurance of ROI.

    4. ICT enhances more productivity in youth engagement in other sectors.

    5 .Education (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary) serves as a great tool of impact on youths generally.

    8. Uneducated youths or unemployed poses a threat to the development of the country. They’re easy targets of terrorism and crime.

    7. Erratic power supply cripples efforts of youth entrepreneurs.

    8. The world is evolving and trends set by developed countries must be adopted for the sake of development

    KEY RESOLUTIONS/CONSENSUS OUTCOME
    1. The sport industry should be developed on grassroots level (Local governments); Talented youths should be sought, nurtured and supported through funds generated by government agencies and private sectors.

    2. Policies that supports sustainable agriculture should be implemented. While graduates whose interest or professions aligns with Agriculture, should be drafted from NYSC scheme to farm settlements with mechanized farming.

    3. The government should revamp Educational sector, Adopt free education, Bursary/scholarship schemes, remodeling of Public schools, revision of curriculum and revamping of technical colleges.

    4. Sensitization and inclusive awareness; As educational policies shifts from formal to technical and vocational, youths should be sensitized on the need to embrace skill acquisition. All students should be proficient in atleast one vocational skill, while graduates will be encouraged to acquire one or more skills at a fraction of cost.

    5. Vocational institutes should be established at grassroots levels to cater for youths in categories a,c and d.

    6. The government should work with private sectors to ensure creation of jobs through establishment of industries/ capital for graduates and those who have acquired one skill or another i.e seed capital, SME’s to support start up etc.

    7. Educational curriculum should also be stretched to provide ICT knowledge and skills in light of global trends. Great emphasis should be placed on Mathematics, Physics and coding.

    8. The standard of prisons should be improved such that, youths in prison would have their skills or craft utilized for macroeconomic projects that will contribute to the nation’s growth.

    9. Subjects on Financial intelligence and social capital integrity should be introduced in schools at all levels (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary).

    10. Policies that support affordable electric power supply without which adequate production is impossible, should be provided by the government.

    11. Policies that will prevent rapid unsustainable population growth should be implemented.

    12. National security should be strengthened through true and proper policing in order to provide a safe environment for learning, growth, and industrial activities.

    13. Data warehousing through automation and integration of functionalities that would provide the government the ability to monitor/appraise each student’s performance in academics, vocational or extracurricular activities in an effort to provide motivation and actively train them should be adopted.

    14. The government should also carry out continuous capacity development with youths in mind through innovations.

    The communique was endorsed by:

    ENDORSED BY:
    1. Engr. Dideolu Falobi, FNSE, FloD
    2. Mr. Femi Famurewa
    3. Engr. Kamoru Busari, FNSE
    4. Engr. Oguara Rankins
    5. Engr. Michael Olanrewaju Ajiboye, MNSE
    6. Omosewa Arowolo
    7. Richard Oladotun Agbaje
    8. Dapo Igbasan
    9. Dr. Adegboyega Ehinmowo
    10. Engr. Adekunle Bello
    11. Dare Olugbemi
    12. Mrs Fadeke Babalola
    13. Adebayo Fasanu
    14. Oluwaseun Babafemi
    15. Engr. Solomon Okogun
    16. Olusola Samuel Aina
    17. Ambrose Olufemi
    18. Adepoju Akinleye Caleb
    19. Damisola Matti-Balogun
    20. Tajin Olusegun Taire
    21. Dr. Kehinde Orolu, MNSE
    22. Femi Adetunji-Teniola
    23. Engr. Kola Ademola-Osinuga
    24. Adebusuyi Tobiloba Adeleye
    25. Oni J Oluwole
    26. Engr. Anas Suleiman
    27. Engr. Kenny Odugbemi
    28. Engr. Shoyoye Solomon Kolade, MNSE
    29. Comrade Rotimi Benjamin
    30. Virtues Unlimited Restorative Initiative
    31. Engr. David Adeyeye, MNSE
    32. Oluwafemi Kolusade Esq.
    33. Olayinka Carew
    34. Folarin Aluko-Olokun
    35. Wura Bankole
    36. Aare Ayodele A. Bankole
    37. Oladipo Olayinka
    38. Pastor Agboola Olojo
    39. Oluseye Ekun
    40. Tunji Akingbade
    41. Engr(Pastor). Sunday Ojemoron
    42. Sunday Toyin Abidemi
    43. Engr. Olubusola Oluwabanwo, FNSE
    44. Fasooto Adekunle Emmanuel
    45. Yejide Ogunleye
    46. Leke Bodunrin
    47. Sina Agbeluyi
    48. Rotimi Odanye
    49. Emeka Madu
    50. Hon. Sola Joshua
    51. Engr. Adeshina Osinloye
    52. Olusanya kujembola

  • 2023: Imumolen declares for presidential race, to tackle unemployment and poverty

    2023: Imumolen declares for presidential race, to tackle unemployment and poverty

    The Founder, of Joint Professional Training Support International, Prof.Christopher Imumolen, has declared his intention to run for the 2023 presidential election.

    The frontline academic and philanthropist, declaring his intention at a news conference in Abuja on Sunday, said he was out to address the leadership deficit’ affecting the development of the nation over the years.

    According to Imumolen, who is the Vice-Chancellor, Global Wealth University, Togo, the leadership deficit, has been hugely responsible for the state of affairs in the country.

    He stressed the need for a new orientation in Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    “Nigeria needs a new kind of leadership. Things are not working here because there is a leadership challenge.

    “I have travelled to many parts of this country and I can boldly say that we have all it takes to make our country one of the best in the world.

    “We have been looked down upon for so many years and many other nations do not reckon much with the green passport.

    “What we must do now is to work hard to ensure that our children do not go through the pains we have suffered already.

    “We believe in our time, Nigeria will be a better place. Nigeria is rich but it is crippled because it is kept in the pockets of few connected individuals,” he said.

    The entrepreneur, who pledged to change the fortunes of Nigeria for good, said that he possessed the required qualities and capacity to lead Nigeria to a level it could start competing with advanced nations of the world.

    Imumolen, who attributed unemployment as one of the major causes of criminality threatening the peace of Nigeria, pledged to address the cause of insecurity and poverty if given the opportunity.

    “How can a country prosper without adequate welfare for her citizens? How do we expect our country to be respected when we are seen and rightly so as the poverty capital of the world?,” he asked.

    He called on Nigeria youths not to allow themselves to be used by selfish politicians in the 2023 general elections, saying “lets us resolve never to travel the old path again.l

    “In 2023, let’s vote a leadership that will change this country for good so that all of us will be proud to call ourselves Nigerians. Nigeria will be great again,” he said.

    Fielding question on the platform, he intends to run for the Office of the President, Imumolen said that the platform would be revealed soon.

    “It is not about the party on which platform I will run. If you believe you cannot do it, you will leave room for those who can’t do it to hijack the process.

    “Of course, I am going to run on the platform of a political party but that will be made known in due course,” he said.

  • How unemployment, underemployment fuel insecurity in Nigeria – Labour and Employment Minister

    How unemployment, underemployment fuel insecurity in Nigeria – Labour and Employment Minister

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has attributed Nigeria’s worsening insecurity to unemployment and underemployment.

    He urged the elites, particularly employers of labour, to address the twin problems so that peace and security could prevail across the land.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Ngige spoke in Abuja on Monday while hosting the national officers of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), led by their National President Chinedu Okoronkwo, who was accompanied by the association’s consultant, Dr. Maurice Ibe of The Benham Group.

    The IPMAN leaders were in the minister’s office to seek his support for the association’s plan to enrol its over 2.5 million members into the Federal Government’s Micro Pension Plan (MPP). Officials of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) were also present.

    Ngige said: “A lot of the insecurity problems that we have are caused by unemployment and underemployment.

    “In underemployment, people are not making money up to the minimum wage of N30,000 monthly or they are not working up to eight hours in a week, which is the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standard. For full employment, that person must be in a workplace and doing eight hours.

    “Insecurity is caused by people who feel cheated by the society. They carry arms, they carry daggers, among other things, to vent their anger against the elites.

    “So, the elites in Nigeria are endangered, including me, all of us. So, the sooner we start talking to the elites in employer organisations, like yours, the better, so that we can cure this malady and prevent it from escalating,” he said.

    Ngige lauded the initiative by IPMAN leadership and urged other sub-groups in the informal sector, particularly the proprietors of private schools, to emulate the association in formalising their labour relations and ensure that they comply with the minimum wage requirement.

    Okoronkwo said the visit was informed by IPMAN’s understanding that Ngige and his ministry were central to realising the association’s plan to enrol its over 2 million members into the MPP of the Federal Government.

    “In trying to see how we can add value to the welfare of our workers, we discovered the Micro Pension Plan (MPP) of the Federal Government. We deemed it necessary that IPMAN must key into this programme, having got the approval of the National Executive Council (INEC) of our association,” he said.

  • Rising unemployment can wipe out Nigeria –Ngige

    Rising unemployment can wipe out Nigeria –Ngige

    The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, has averred that the increasing rate of unemployment portends danger for the country.

    He said the lack of education is part of the problems bedevilling the country, warning that if not tackled the country might be “completely wiped out.”

    The minister said this at the inaugural partnership economy summit organised by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs in Abuja.

    The summit was tagged, ‘Translating Sustainable Development Goals to local businesses in Nigeria.’

    Ngige said, “We are in trouble as a country. We are in trouble and anybody who tells you he doesn’t know we are in trouble is lying to himself and once you lie to yourself.

    “We are facing a problem that is cyclic, one begat the other. It is left for you and me the elite to decide to save ourselves, save our children and save our country.

    “If we keep on with these symptoms; buy ammunition, bomb these people, bomb kidnappers, bomb Boko Haram, you will be wasting resources.

    “If you had prevented it, it would cost you less. We must give education to these people at the grassroots.

     

    “Those who can’t get an education, we must provide them jobs so that they can fend for themselves. They can put a roof over their heads.”

    Emphasizing on the need to provide quality education to people at the grassroots, he said the failure to provide such was responsible for why the people were lured to participate in separatist agitations, terrorism among others.

    He added, “If you don’t kill ignorance, you are breeding people would be brainwashed to believe that with Biafra all their problems will go away; Oduduwa, all their problems will go, Boko Haram.

    “If we don’t tackle them, we will continue like this until this country might be wiped out completely; we don’t pray for that. We must give education to the people at the grassroots.”

     

  • How eComX is curbing unemployment among youths- Oyetunji

    How eComX is curbing unemployment among youths- Oyetunji

    Concerned about the increasing rate of unemployment in the country and Africa as a whole, young Nigerian experts in eCommerce business had developed a digital platform for Nigerians especially youths to key in and learn how to make money for themselves.

    The founder of the first Unique Drop-ship portal – eComX, Abiodun Oyetunji, apart from being a serial entrepreneur, owns a thriving logistics company for e-commerce businesses that offers doorstep deliveries nationwide in Nigeria and Ghana.

    Speaking on why eComX was founded, Oyetunji, fondly called Abbey said that the increased rate of unemployment in the country especially among the youth led to the founding of eComX. “With this platform, we want to extend the immense opportunity in Mini eCommerce business to as many young people out there in West Africa as possible, staring with Nigeria, then Ghana and others.

    According to Oyetunji, having run Mini eCom business for more than 5 years, I thought of extending the opportunity to others; hence we created a system that makes the process very easy for even a novice to come on board and make a good living.

    Also speaking on their targeted audience, he said, our target audience are the elite youths who are ready to take hold of their income by earning from e-commerce business either as a side hustle or full time business. “Our target audience are also computer savvy, with basic understanding of computer applications, then you’re good to go.

    On the present business environment of Nigeria, Oyetunji said that Nigerian environment is much conducive for eComX, and so much that we have already existing e-commerce business that is thriving already in this space, it is definitely a good ground for eComX to dominate. Continuing, he said, “our test-run phase in July had well over 200 registered people who are interested in increasing their income via eComX; and all of these happened via referral and with little or no promotion out there. Quite a number of persons had already started their Mini eCommerce business via eComX and are making great income for themselves. I have a full fledge e-commerce business, I also run a logistics business which we are currently advancing to an on-demand system to suit the trend the logistics service going right now”.

     

  • ‘COVID-19 Impact Worsens Unemployment In Nigeria, Young people Most Affected’

    ‘COVID-19 Impact Worsens Unemployment In Nigeria, Young people Most Affected’

    Experts at the on-going series of workshops organized by the United Nations Country Team in Nigeria as part of the Common Country Analysis (CCA) for Nigeria, have noted that the impact of COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated the unemployment situation in the country.

    The workshops which run from 9 – 18 August, seek to validate with key stakeholders of UN, the UN Country Team’s analysis of the country situation across various thematic areas and to identify data and issue gaps.

    In a presentation on the Economy, the expert: Ms. Precious Akanonu, the National Economist of UNDP; Mr. Hamidou Poufon, the Chief of Social Protection, UNICEF; Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, Assistant Representative, FAO; and Mr. Nonso Obikili, the Development Coordination Officer (Economist) in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office; observed that informal employment is still predominant, noting that International Labour Organisation (ILO) had estimated the share of informal employment in non-agricultural employment at 83.7%.

    According to them, Nigerian economy is not creating enough jobs and a significant share of the employed were working below their capacity, which puts underemployment rate at 22.8% in 2020. In 2020, “Young people were most affected with a youth unemployment rate of 53.4%. Gender imbalances were present with unemployment rates higher for females (35.2%) compared to males (31.8%).” They stated.

    They called for creation of conditions for sustained and inclusive economic growth to drive progress, create decent jobs for all, and improve living standards which are critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

    In his remarks, the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office, Mr Ernest Mutanga, explained that the United Nations in Nigeria would hold eight virtual workshops across specific themes: economy, demographics and human capital development, governance, gender and social inclusion, youth, climate, and financing and public sector management.

    The CCA is the UN system’s independent, impartial, and collective assessment and analysis of a country’s situation for its use in developing the new 2023- 2027 Cooperation Framework. The Cooperation Framework is an agreement between the UN and the host government which determines and reflects the UN development system’s contributions in the country.

  • Insecurity, unemployment have never been this bad in Nigeria – Atiku

    Insecurity, unemployment have never been this bad in Nigeria – Atiku

    Former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has lamented the state of the nation under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress.

    According to him, insecurity and unemployment have never been “this bad” in Nigeria.

    He made the comment while speaking to journalists at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.

    “I have never seen it (insecurity) this bad,” he said. “I am 70 years plus, I have never seen it this bad in terms of security challenges, in terms of economy, in terms of unemployment. This is the worst.”

    On Wednesday, Atiku had met with Governor Nyesom Wike.

    A statement signed by Wike’s spokesperson, Kelvin Ebiri, said Atiku had travelled to Rivers state to discuss PDP affairs.

    “Well, I came here to reconcile with the governor on party affairs and how we can ensure that there is unity and stability in the party,” Atiku said.

    “So, that we can take over government in 2023. I believe that Nigerians can’t wait for 2023 to come, so that PDP will return.”

    Atiku said the PDP “will come up with our policies” and “present them to Nigerians when the time comes.”

    “We have done that before,” he added. “Under PDP, we recorded the highest economic growth, the best foreign reserves, we reduced unemployment. You know that we can do it.”

  • Nigeria facing worst unemployment crisis in history – World Bank

    Nigeria facing worst unemployment crisis in history – World Bank

    A report by the World Bank has said Nigeria’s unemployment crisis in recent times is the worst in the nation’s history.

    The report, which raised an alarm over the nation’s rising unemployment situation was published by the World Bank with support from the Korea World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF) and the Rapid Social Response (RSR) trust funds.

    According to the research paper, the nation’s expanding working-age population combined with scarce domestic employment opportunities is creating high rates of unemployment, particularly for youth.

    This situation has also been worsened by the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Between 2010 and 2020, the unemployment rate rose five-fold, from 6.4 percent in 2010 to 33.3 percent in 2020.

    “The rise in unemployment rates has been particularly acute since the 2015- 2016 economic recession and has further worsened as COVID-19 led to the worst recession in four decades in 2020” the paper read in part.

    The unemployment rate is defined nationally as the percentage of the labour force population who could not find at least 20 hours of work in the reference period, which the paper says was significantly higher for youth (42.5 per cent) compared to non-youth (26.3 per cent).

    It was also discovered that women are particularly vulnerable in Nigeria’s labor market. “Compared to 46.4 percent of the male population who are fully employed, only 40.6 percent of women are fully employed”.

    The share of fully employed came up significantly lower in rural areas compared to urban areas.

    It was the viewpoint of the World Bank Report that the socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians in the last 10 years have led to a tremendous increase in the number of citizens seeking asylum and refugee status in other countries.

    According to the Washington-based institution, the number of international migrants from Nigeria has increased threefold since 1990, growing from 446,806 in 1990 to 1,438,331 in 2019.

    Despite this trend, the share of international migrants as a proportion to Nigeria’s population has remained largely constant, increased slightly from 0.5 per cent in 1990 to 0.7 per cent in 2019.

    In the report titled: ‘Of Roads Less Travelled: Assessing the Potential for Migration to Provide Overseas Jobs for Nigeria’s Youth’, the World Bank further estimated that there were 2.1 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria in 2020 alone.

    The recent rise in irregular migration notwithstanding, the share of international migrants in Nigeria’s population was much lower compared to the shares in Sub-Saharan Africa and globally.

    The World Bank while noting that key sectoral documents such as the National Labor Migration Policy (2014) and National Employment Policy (2017) offer suitable suggestions to leverage managed migration for providing overseas employment opportunities to Nigerian youth, the issue of migration is absent or less salient in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP 2017–2020).

    “With Nigeria receiving more than US$25 billion in remittances in 2019, the absence of migration as a mainstream development tool to provide jobs to the bulging youth population is perplexing,” the transcripts stressed.

    Adding that “the drafting of the new ERGP provides a good opportunity for labor migration to be mainstreamed as one of the key strategies to generate employment for Nigerian job seekers”.

     

  • Buhari’s minister, NBS fight dirty over ‘confusing’ employment statistics

    Buhari’s minister, NBS fight dirty over ‘confusing’ employment statistics

    The Ministry of Labour, Productivity and Employment and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have tackled each other on social media over alleged confusing employment statistics.

    According to reports, the Minister of Labour, Productivity and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige while receiving leadership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) on Wednesday stated there would be a virtual meeting between the Federal Government and the World Bank.

    The meeting, according to the ministry on twitter, is to discuss modalities used by the NBS in gathering data for employment statistics.

    Ngige said: “There has been a little confusion there as to the accuracy of data generated by the NBS. So, we want to align everything tomorrow (Thursday).

    “The World Bank says the NBS methodology doesn’t conform to the global standard, especially the ILO format of arriving at such Employment Index.”

    The Minister, who described the meeting as very important, recalled he had severally queried the employment statistics released by the NBS.

    But reacting, the NBS, through its twitter handle, countered the minister saying the World Bank did not dispute its employment statistics data collection as claimed by Ngige.

    It tweeted: “The World Bank has denied making any such statement and rather together with the economic advisory committee affirmed its confidence, commendation, support and close working relationship with @nigerianstat. The World Bank can be contacted if in doubt.”

    The friction between the ministry and the agency has sparked outrage on social media.

    Many Nigerians recalled the fight between Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) over collection of stamp duties.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports the latest statistics published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on its website stated the unemployment rate as of the end of 2020 rose to 33.3% from 27.1% recorded as of Q2 2020, indicating that about 23,187,389 (23.2 million) Nigerians remain unemployed.