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Govt targets creation of self-reliant youthful population

By Collins Olayinka, Abuja
01 December 2015   |   4:04 am
THE Federal Government would target the creation of a youthful population that relies more on self for economic empowerment, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has said.

NgigeNLC seeks revival of labour advisory council
THE Federal Government would target the creation of a youthful population that relies more on self for economic empowerment, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has said.

Commissioning an Information and Communication Technology Centre (ICT) built by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Ugwunagbo L.G.A of Abia State, the Minister noted that vocational training and skill acquisition rank high in President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s quest to develop a self-reliant low and middle level manpower base.

He hinted that in order to wage a successful war on unemployment, vocational training and acquisition must be deployed as an engine of growth.

He said: “The Centre will provide qualitative skill acquisition, create veritable workshop for self reliant productivity as well as contribute to poverty reduction programme of this administration.
“It has a capacity to train over 150 persons in various ICT driven skills at a session, especially in areas of Computer and GSM phone repairs. Our administration is pursuing a paradigm shift from a dependent youth population to that which is not only self reliant as a result of vocation and skill but can also employ others. We wish to stimulate an all round creativity and through that, productivity. The aggregate of these multiple private endeavors is the live wire of a buoyant economy.”

The Minister therefore urged the people of Abia and neighboring states to take advantage of the Centre, adding that the NDE was replicating same in other parts of the country.

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu who accompanied the Minister to the commissioning, promised to provide incentive to the trainees of the Centre as well ensure adequate security for facility.

He commended the Federal Government for its thoughtfulness in ensuring that the challenges of unemployment are drastically dealt with to check the growing youth restiveness in the country.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige to ensure the revitalization of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC).

In a congratulatory message to the Minister, the President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba noted that the inability of the Council to meet over the years is eroding its importance to the operations of the labour sector.

According to the Congress, the NLAC is a tripartite body comprising representatives of the Federal and State Governments, employers and labour organizations with the primary responsibility of advising the Federal Government on industrial and labour relations. The NLC Chief noted that the meeting of the Council would assist in addressing most of the developmental issues in labour administration in the country.

Wabba further stated that the appointment of Dr. Chris Ngige as the Minister of Labour and Employment was coming at a time when the sector is confronted with wide-range challenges in the country adding that the Labour and Employment Ministry under which industrial relations matters are coordinated have special role to play in ensuring industrial peace and harmony continue to reign in the country.

The Congress expressed concern over the prevalent cases of casualization and outsourcing which a number of employers have resorted to as a means of cutting costs of human resources and maximization of profits as well as the need to get the ministry’s factory inspectorate division to be sufficiently equipped and function optimally.
The NLC leadership pledged to seek audience with the Minister on the issue of massive unemployment in the country and also offer their advice, ideas and suggestions on how to address the challenges of unemployment in the country.

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