| Labour and Productivity Minister Adetokunbo Kayode said on Friday that the government would focus on massive employment next year as a strategy to conquering unemployment, poverty and hunger in the country.
He announced the government’s plan in Uyo, southern Nigeria, where the second edition of the Akwa Ibom State Productivity Merit Award ceremony was being held. Kayode, who acknowledged that poverty was high in Nigeria, promised that the government was ready to fight the menace. The World Bank reports on Nigeria show that the economy had improved but it was yet to touch lives positively. “Although we have economic growth, we are yet to have economic development,” Kayode said. He called on governments at all levels to rise to the challenge of unemployment in the country and he commended the Akwa Ibom government for building massive infrastructure and increasing productivity. Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State also expressed concern over widespread hunger in the country. Akpabio, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Patrick Ekpotu, noted that “hunger breeds distrust and confusion’’. He called on the federal government to evolve a policy of instilling productive instinct into Nigerians. |
Dec122009