Buhari opens Global Youth Employment Forum in Abuja

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6 years ago

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday declared open the Global Youth Employment Forum (GYEF), in Abuja, with a call on the International Labour Organization (ILO) to employ and place more Nigerians as associates and experts in the ILO’s offices in Geneva.

President Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, also requested for the upgrading of the ILO Country Office in Nigeria into a Decent Work Country Technical Office for English speaking West African countries.

Besides, the President demands more ILO programmes and projects to be executed in Nigeria in view of the status of Nigeria in the ranks of member states.

“The International Labour Organization (ILO) has been Nigeria’s important ally in the promotion of Decent Work and Social Dialogue. There is no doubt therefore that these two landmark events taking place in Nigeria and of course, for the very first time on the African Continent, are as a result of the cordial and fruitful working relationship between the ILO and the tripartite constituents of Nigeria in the last six decades.

“Given the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and the ILO, I consider it in our national interest to reiterate our requests for the upgrading of the ILO Country Office in Nigeria into a Decent Work Country Technical Office for English speaking West African Countries. I also call for the support of the ILO towards the placement of more Nigerians as Associates and Experts in the ILO’s offices in Geneva. We would similarly like to see more ILO programmes and projects executed in Nigeria in view of our status in the ranks of member states.” President Buhari said.

Welcoming the Director-General of the ILO, Mr. Guy Ryder, and his entourage to Nigeria; he thanked him for the opportunity given to Nigeria to host the Forum, with a theme: “Today and Tomorrow with Decent Jobs for Youth”, which he said remains very apt given the need to meaningfully engage with the huge global youth population and abundant skills they possess.

Buhari also congratulated the ILO on the celebration of 100 years of its existence and 60 years of its presence in Nigeria and in Africa.

> He said the ILO has been Nigeria’s important ally in the promotion of Decent Work and Social Dialogue; adding, “there is no doubt therefore that these two landmark events taking place in Nigeria and of course, for the very first time on the African Continent, are as a result of the cordial and fruitful working relationship between the ILO and the tripartite constituents of Nigeria in the last six decades.”

President Buhari said: “The immense support and assistance received from our partner United Nations (UN) agencies, notably the ILO in the areas of Policy Reviews, Institutional Strengthening;

Human Capacity Development. Implementation of dedicated Programs and Technical/Financial support cannot be over-emphasized. The International Labour Organization has committed itself to youth employment and the future of work in Africa, with an in-depth understanding of the rapidly changing demographics, the emerging world of work and the challenges of national economic stabilities.

“Nigeria places much value on her youth, who represent the future of our nation and we are glad that this event is bringing together selected young people from member states of the ILO from different continents to discuss an issue that is of critical importance to both the young and old, which is the creation of decent job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth.

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“We note at this point that the issue of youth unemployment has assumed global significance and on the front burner of developmental discuss.”

The President added that in the last three and a half years, his government had provided about two million jobs through the N-power Program and lifted over Five million Nigerians out of extreme poverty.

Buhari said: “The Government of Nigeria recognizes the need to focus attention on youth empowerment by creating the enabling environment for job opportunities and capacity building. In this connection, the present administration, from the onset, made the Investment in our People one of the key goals of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), which is the National Development Blueprint, for the period 2017 to 2020.

“The implementation of the plan through some flagship programs such as the National Social Investment Program (NSIP) has yielded some measurable outcomes in the form of increased school enrolment and the creation of more jobs.

“One of the key components of the NSIP, the N-power Program and its sub-components, has led to the creation of job opportunities in different sectors of the economy for young persons. For example, in the past three and half years, the program has yielded over Two (2) million direct and indirect employment opportunities and has lifted over five (5) million Nigerians out of extreme poverty.”