The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige,
in Lagos said no fewer than 490,000 jobs will be created by the Federal
Government through the recently launched Smart Farmers ICT platform.
The minister insisted that the government had resolved to
fight unemployment and urged Nigerians to embrace positive attitudinal change
towards jobs creation to turn around the fortunes of the country and record
significant success in employment generation. Speaking at the 30th Lagos
International Trade Fair, with the theme: ”Positioning the Nigerian Economy for
Diversification and Sustainable Growth”, Ngige recalled that a few weeks ago in
Abuja, the ministry launched the Smart Farmers ICT platform creatively designed
to promote and maximize productivity in the agricultural value chain. According
to him: “Prior to the discovery of oil in Nigeria, the bedrock of the economy
was agriculture. At independence, agricultural accounted for 70 percent of GDP.
25 years after independence, we experienced an ugly reversal with food items
accounting for over 50 per cent of imports. When we say agriculture holds the
key to effective, functional and sustainable economic diversification, we are
sure of our convictions.” On his part, the Director General, National
Directorate of Employment, NDE, Mr. Olakunle Obayan, who was represented by the
Director Special Public Works, Engr. Monday Dalung, said the Federal Government
was vigorously pursuing a sincere multi-faceted agenda meant to effect a shift
from over dependence on oil and gas as a major revenue earner.
Source:Vanguard Ngr
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