The Federal Government has urged all stakeholders to rise up and address the issue of unemployment, stating that no arm of government has a solution to the challenge.
This was disclosed by the Director of Employment and Wages at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr John Nyamali, during his presentation at the opening of the 2023 Ogun State Employment Conference.
The event was organised by the state government in collaboration with the German Cooperation (GIZ) and was held in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
Nyamali emphasised that participatory governance demands the active involvement of all stakeholders in policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring.
He further explained that the National Employment Policy outlines the roles of states and local governments in employment creation.
Nyamali advised the Ogun State Government to study the document and implement the roles, aiming to create decent jobs for its populace.
Dr. Detlef Barth, the team lead of the GIZ SKYE Project, spoke on the theme of the conference, “Addressing Employment and Job Creation in Ogun State: Tapping Into Local and Global Opportunities.”
He noted that the conference was crucial to delve into the current realities of employment and job creation to address challenges and opportunities in the context of employment promotion.
He maintained that fostering positive change and sustainable economic development in Ogun State is one of the objectives of the conference.
“As you are already aware, Nigeria does not lack the necessary institutional and policy frameworks essential for the accomplishment of its employment and development goals.
Instead, a high level of unemployment and chronic issues are attributable to flawed and contradicting macroeconomic policy regimes in the predominantly informal economic structure,” he said.
Dr Ola Olu Aikulola, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, emphasised the need for stakeholders to reposition all sectors of the state for greater performance.
Aikulola stressed the need for synergy among stakeholders to establish a viable industrial policy for the overall benefit of the state.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by his deputy, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele stated that his administration would continually uplift thousands of state indigenes out of poverty before the end of his second term in office.
He mentioned that his government is equipped with ample opportunities for leveraging and advancing youth employment initiatives.
