The Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has urged the National Productivity Centre (NPC) to explore innovative ways to create opportunities for jobs in the country.
Onyejeocha said this when the new Director-General of NPC, Mr Baffa Dan’agund ,and his team paid a courtesy visit to her on Tuesday in Abuja.
The minister said that the Federal Government would always support creative ideas to tackle unemployment in the country.
She noted that the NPC’s plan to employ one million Nigerians aligns with the Labour Ministry’s goal of providing 2.5 million jobs in one year through the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP).
“When I said Labour Ministry will provide 2.5 million jobs in one year, people were sceptical. Now you have taken one million off that figure.
“I believe we are going to do more than that, and I am happy that you are not looking for government funds to actualise your initiative.
“I assure you of my preparedness and willingness to help you achieve your goals. This is a ministry that should reduce poverty,”she said.
The minister urged the team to take ownership of the NPC initiative and work with the same level of commitment and speed as they would apply to their personal ventures.
She pledged her support to ensure the success of NPC , while stressing the need to reduce poverty and create wealth.
Onyejeocha said that she had confidence in Dan’agundi’s ability to drive productivity and job creation, citing his contributions to the Renewed Hope Agenda during the 2023 general elections campaign.
“I am very privileged to have you as the Director-General of NPC, knowing that you are a very productive person. I am satisfied that you are fully a product of Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I am not in any way in doubt of what you can do. You have done it before during the 2023 election, where your work stood you out,”she said.
Earlier, Dan’agundi said that there were plans by the NPC to employ one million Nigerians without relying on government funds, calling for the minister’s support to get presidential approval.
The director-general assured the minister that the NPC under his watch would work tirelessly to deliver on its mandate and make the initiative a reality.
“We can employ one million Nigerians and sort this employment outside the government funds ,but with the approval of the President.
“We are charting this programme only if we get the approval of the President through you. We will make it a reality, and it will be the first of its kind, and it will continue.
“I promise to work with you, and I believe you will help me achieve my dreams for the good of our country,”he said.
The director-general thanked the President for finding him worthy of the appointment and promised to do well in office to justify the confidence reposed in him(NAN)(
