Helen Shok Jok, Abuja
The National Productivity Centre NPC in Nigeria, says it will employ one million Nigerians without “Relying on government fund”.
The newly appointed Director-General of Agency, Mr Baffa Dan’agundi, who unveiled the plan during a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment in Abuja, also appealed for the Minister’s support for presidential approval of the project.
A statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations in the Labour Ministry, Mrs Patience Onuobia said that Mr Dan’agundi, expressed confidence in the Minister’s wealth of experience and assured her 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 while promising to perform “creditably well” the task for which he is appointed, thanked the President for finding him worthy of the appointment.
Receiving the Director General and his team in her office, the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, urged the National Productivity Centre to explore innovative ways to create opportunities for jobs in Nigeria promising that the Federal Government would always support creative ideas to tackle unemployment in the country.
She said 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).
The Minister implored the team to take ownership of the NPC’s initiative and work with the same level of commitment and speed as they would apply to their personal ventures.
“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 goal.
This is a ministry that should reduce poverty.”
She pledged her support and cooperation to ensure the NPC’s success, emphasising the need to reduce poverty and create wealth.
The Minister expressed 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,” the Minister said.
The National Productivity Centre is a research Oriented Federal Government Parastatal established to stimulate and promote productivity consciousness in all sectors of the Nigerian economy, monitor productivity trends and lead the productivity movement in Nigeria among others.
