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LAGOS -The Director General of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Adewale-Smatt- Oyerinde, has called on the Federal Government to embark on ‘Capital Adequacy Measures’ that will support the private sector to creating job opportunities for Nigerians.
He also called for ‘Standardise loans’ that have the potentials to unlock large sums of money for investors to attracting more private investment in Nigeria
Smatt- Oyerinde, who in chats with Daily Independent on the sideline of the 4th edition of NECA’s Annual Employers’ excellence awards for 2024 at the Balmoral Convention Center of Sheraton hotels, Ikeja, at the weekend, said the private sector access to funding will build a ladder of opportunity for the sector to reshape the future of food security, nutrition, growth and employment in Nigeria
According to him, Nigeria needs productive jobs that would sustained poverty reduction through creating wage job, but these are scarce.
“The private sector has the potentials to build a ladder of opportunity, where each rung represents a step towards greater empowerment, and to help the youths climb this ladder, government must provide support at every level.
“The goal of NECA and its allied, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), International LabourOrganisation is to build a human capacity development opportunity that provides access to youths led businesses in Nigeria.
“These goals will be achieved with a comprehensive action plan that pulls together government regulatory reform, skilling, digital affordability, and partnerships
NECA’s jobs policy initiatives for youth has improve the labour market’s poverty-reducing potential.
“Our goal is that together, we can reshape the future of food security, nutrition, growth and employment in Nigeria”
According to Oyerinde, NECA is poised to embark on projects and programmes to ensuring job creation opportunities for Nigerians.
It would be recalled that throughout the history of development, “jobs have proven time and again to be the surest and most lasting panacea for poverty”, he said.
He emphasised that:”A viable job is more than a source of income; it brings dignity, a sense of purpose, and uplifts the human spirit and condition.
“Jobs provide a pathway out of poverty, give hope to younger generations, and build stronger communities”, he said.
He noted that the specter of unemployment in Nigeria today looms large, potentially leaving young people without meaningful employment, and threatening to destabilise societies and hinder economic growth.
On the NECA’s employers’ excellence award, Smatt Oyerinde, stressed the importance of rewarding organizations who prioritise, not only profitability, but demonstration of tenacity due to tough economic terrain, as well as well-being of their employees and the wider society.
“The employers’ excellence award has become a beacon of inspiration for companies in Nigeria. It showcases how businesses can succeed by nurturing their workforce, investing in innovation, and giving back to the community,”
