The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is not just limited to resolving industrial crises between the government and labour unions. It is committed to playing a more significant role in boosting the economy and creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ismaila Abubakar, made this statement during a courtesy visit by the Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria (LACAN) in Abuja.
The Ministry is determined to make a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians through the renewed hope agenda of the President Tinubu administration. This agenda is focused on ensuring that employment opportunities are created for the unemployed population. The Ministry’s duty now revolves around making this a reality.
He said that the Ministry “is poised to make greater impact in the lives of Nigerians through the renewed hope Agenda of the President Tinubu administration which is committed to ensuring that employment opportunities are created for the unemployed Nigerians”.
According to him, “that will take centre stage of the Labour Ministry’s duties going forward”.
The Permanent Secretary identified poor budgetary allocation as the primary hurdle hindering the Ministry from executing employment-driven programs that could engage Nigerian youths who are currently unemployed.
He further emphasized that the Ministry is determined to go beyond resolving industrial crises between the Federal Government and labour unions and take a more prominent role in improving the country’s economic growth.
To achieve this, the Ministry launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Program (LEEP), a new initiative aimed at developing various employability skills for young graduates, school leavers, and artisans, among others. However, the Ministry’s skill acquisition centers across the country are dilapidated and require a major revamp. These centers are critical to training young and old Nigerians on agro-allied value chain development, information communication technology, crafts, entrepreneurship, and other critical skills that will advance their fortunes in life.
“At the moment, our skill acquisition Centres across the country are all dilapidated and in need of a major face-lift.
“These Centres are the hub for training young and old Nigerians on agro-allied value chain development, information communication technology, crafts, entrepreneurship and other critical skills that will advance their fortunes in life.
“With the sort of allocations received by the Ministry, it is difficult and almost impossible to revive these Centres”, he said.
While urging the Media to beam its searchlight on the challenges facing the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary noted that the Minister of State, Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha is relentlessly pushing for an enhanced budgetary allocation to the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary urged the media to focus on the challenges facing the Ministry and work towards finding solutions.
Abubakar also charged journalists not to hesitate to advise the Ministry on specific areas that officials might not be getting right in terms of planning and coordination.
“The growth and advancement of the country will benefit all Nigerians,” he added.
Earlier, the Acting Chairman of Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Abulu Patrick, expressed the Association’s willingness to establish a cordial working relationship with the Ministry in the interest of promoting the socioeconomic development of Nigerians.
Edited By: Lantana N.
