From: Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has said that the Federal Government was committed to enhancing employment opportunities  in the country.

He made the remark at the retreat organised for top management staff of the National Directorate of Employment(NDE), on Thursday, in Sokoto.

Ngige noted that combating the unemployment challenge  through creation of jobs and poverty reduction constitute very daunting tasks that tasked the dexterity of government the world over.

Ngige, who spoke through the Director of Labour, Mr. Eyewumi Neburagho, stated that despite the challenges of inadequacy of funds generally bedeviling all sectors of the Nigerian economy, only a committed leadership that inspires a patriotic followership could guarantee sustainable employment generation.

According to him, it becomes even more challenging in time of economic recession, due to dwindling funds, and also the fact that employment creation is very capital intensive.

He said no expenses would be spared to ensure sustainable qualitative capacity building for the staff of NDE to acquire skills to remain relevant to contemporary dynamics of the labour market, especially in the area of job creation.

Related News

The Minister described the retreat as apt and very significant considering the central and historical role of effective leadership at all levels of governance for the development of nations in all ramifications.

He urged the management of NDE to evolve new strategies that are not only practical but will also adequately address all the relevant and contemporary issues relating to employment generation in the country.

In a remark, the Director General of NDE, Nasir Mohammed Argungu, said the NDE Management realised the imperative for training and re-training of personnel to acquire the appropriate skills and the right attitude to enhance productivity and efficiency to meet the special needs of operations of the Directorate.

He stated that the NDE Management will consistently address the issue of training and retraining of the Directorates employees within the limitations imposed by dearth of funds.

On his part, Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to partner with NDE to empower youths in order to tackle poverty in the state.

The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba.