NASSI tasks govt on job creation for youths ?

President of Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Chuku Wachuku, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to boost the capacity of the private sector to provide empowerment and jobs for youths in the country.

Wachuku gave this advice while presenting a paper entitled: “Investment Climate: What is the Weather in Nigeria” at the SOFEE Investment, Entrepreneurial and Job Creation workshop in Lagos.

He said that NASSI would lead other organisations including states and local governments to grow Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the informal sector
“The private sector should be given more autonomy to direct matters that deal directly with youth empowerment and job creation.

“In this regard, NASSI will lead a networking initiative that will include value chain-related organsations along with states and local governments.

“NASSI will through this partnership adequately address the issues and factors that militate against the growth of SMEIs and work out positive and workable frameworks that will once and for all ensure the growth of SMEIs.”

Wachuku said that the government could not create jobs in a sustainable way, adding that there is need to boost production and ensure the small-scale industries contribute 90 to 95 per cent to GDP.

“We recharge you can Small scale industry provider contribute 90 to 95 per cent to GDP but that is the tragedy of the point. It is high time we boost production? That gap has to be addressed.

“That is why I ask you, can government actually create jobs? To this particular question, my answer is no! And I speak as an expert on this matter.

“The other sustainable way I know is to create a powerful private sector-driven entrepreneurial base, propelled and predicated on small and medium scale industries and the informal sector.”

He said there were need to look at important strategy to boosting domestic economy and the area of real sector that contributes most to Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

The NASSI president said another area to look at was the percentage contribution to GDP in production and employment.

Meanwhile, the Obaro of Kabba in Kogi, Oba Michael Olobayo, has urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to stem the rising problem of youth unemployment.

A statement issued in Lokoja on Wednesday by the Kogi Ministry of Agriculture said that the foremost traditional ruler made the call in his palace while receiving Dr Fregene Martins, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Olobayo stated that youth unemployment had become a major challenge and charged government at all levels to provide more job opportunities that would keep the youth meaningfully engaged.

The statement signed by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Dorothy Onoja also quoted the monarch as commending the Federal Government for its efforts in revitalising the nation’s agricultural sector and urged the government to fully implement  all its programmes.

Martins had earlier told the monarch that the Ministry of Agriculture was ready to bring a new lease of life to the farming sector, calling on the traditional ruler and his subjects to key into the new agriculture programmes.

Later in a meeting with representatives of farmers in the area, Martins assured that government was ready to assist farmers with new farming techniques and improved seedlings.

Spokesman of the farmers, Mr Lewill Jaiyeola charged government to back up its programmes with serious action and pledged the total support of the farmers to the new plans to revive agriculture.