…As WISCAR warns leaving women out’ll lead to $12tr loss in GDP
President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has expressed concern that over 15.2 million out of 38.2 million youths component of the labour force in the country are either seeking employment or out of jobs.
Saraki expressed this concern at a public hearing on Youth Development and Empowerment yesterday in Abuja. He said that the estimates provided by the Bureau of Statistics (NBS) called for concerted effort by relevant stakeholders to halt the ugly trend.
“It is imperative for the National Assembly, the Executive and the private sector as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to focus immediate attention on youth unemployment and developmental crisis facing the country.
“Available statistics show that majority of unemployed youths are female. The primary factors contributing to this high unemployment rate are high population growth that is outpacing economic growth, outdated school curricula and lack of vibrant industries to absorb competent graduates,’’ he said.
The Senate president said rather than trade blame, it was high time relevant stakeholders worked together to find lasting solution to the problem. He stated that the participation of CSOs in the process was important, since their grassroots networks and ideas would strengthen the legitimacy of policy making.
Saraki argued that Nigerian youths deserved the best hands to work towards including their concerns in the country’s national investment framework. He called for robust discussion that would help chart the way forward.
Meanwhile, the Women In Successful Careers (WISCAR) has warned that leaving women out of continuous growth of the nation, would result in a whopping $12 trillion loss to the country’s GDP.
Chief Executive Officer, Fine and Country, Udo Ukonjo, who spoke at the weekend at the 10th year anniversary of WISCAR, said that both men and women have roles to play in improving the economy of the family and the country, but that the strength of women remains unique.
“Women have the power of intuition. We need to raise our men to understand that women are just as important as they are. We are equal to men, we are not higher, and we are not less. We bring multitasking to the table.”
In her speech tagged, “Developing Women to Build a Better Nation’, Ukongo insisted that women should be empowered in the society to increase the GDP of the nation.
“Women should not be looked down upon. There is a part that men bring to the table, likewise women. The strength women bring is generally unique. Women have the power of intuition. We need to raise our men to understand that women are just as important as them. We are equal to men, we are not higher and we are not less. We bring multitasking to the table. If we leave women out, $12 trillion would be left out in terms of increasing the GDP.”
Earlier in her welcome address, WISCAR’s founder, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, said WISCAR is all about developing young women to enable them to be more confident to achieve their goals, and to bring out their own unique value and contribution wherever they are, in the private or public sector, including the society. “The ultimate thing is for them to contribute to building a better nation,” she said.
Also speaking, former Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Omobola Johnson, said women must be technologically inclined in the things they do because technology in this age is helping to solve women related issues.
Johnson, who is also the new Senior Partner at TLcom, a technology firm, maintained that women should form partnerships to strengthen and broaden themselves.
“The mindset that women should end up in the kitchen should be changed. The girl-child should be encouraged to study science. The girl-child should be raised with confidence. Ensure that women are well-equipped and advised.”