Issues
New Rivers At Two: A Chronicle Of Superlative Projects Delivery
Contd from last Wednesday.
The Rivers State Government financed the construction of 120 Housing Units for personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder in Port Harcourt City. The Housing Units named, Rivers quarters was commissioned by Governor Wike.
In the area of urban development, the Wike administration has revived Street and Traffic lights across Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and parts of Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The Operation Leave the Road initiated by the governor is bringing sanity on Port Harcourt roads. This project is to ensure that Street traders leave the roads while miscreants also relocate.
Economic Empowerment/ Job Creation
Official data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, a Federal Government parastatal , indicate that the economy of Rivers State has bounced back and is functioning effectively for the people of the state. Internally generated revenue is growing, businesses are flourishing while the people are empowered economically.
For every single project that has been awarded by Governor Wike, the administration always insists on the community empowerment component. A specified percentage of employment is reserved for the youths and women, while community entrepreneurs are given sub-contracts to supply materials for high profile projects.
For the small and medium-sized projects, local and indigenous contractors have been patronized by the administration in a deliberate move to empower the people.
Most importantly, Governor Wike declared 2017 as the year of economic empowerment also known as stomach infrastructure.
In the 2017 budget, a cumulative sum of N12billion was allocated to the relevant line ministries to implement various youth and women development and empowerment schemes
The administration has created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs through the statewide execution of projects , empowered families for the good of the majority.
Awards and Objective Independent Testimonies
Under this dispensation, Governor Wike has proved to be a performer and the undisputed “Mr Projects “ of Nigeria . From 29th May, 2015, he has religiously kept his promise to transform Rivers State and entrench the process of development, peace and national growth.
As a result of the governor’s superlative performance in the last two years, he has been honoured by several groups.
The Rivers State Christian Association of Nigeria, conferred on him the “Apostle of Peace “ award in recognition of his exemplary efforts in the task of peace building and maintenance of security.
He emerged as the “Sun Governor of the Year, 2016”, “Independent Newspaper Man of the Year, 2016” and “Authority Newspapers of the Year, 2016” for his outstanding achievements in the areas of projects execution and service delivery.
Testimonies
The following are highlights of independent assessments of distinguished Nigerians who have witnessed first hand, governor wike’s outstanding performance in the last two years.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo during his visit to Rivers State for a meeting with stakeholders, commended Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his efforts at improving infrastructure in the state.
He described him as “Mr. Project”.
Vice President Osinbajo was highly elated over the number of development projects under the administration of Governor Wike.
He said: “He is indeed Mr. Projects. As we came in today, we had to visit some project sites”.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan after his visit to Government House, Port Harcourt on Saturday, March 18, 2017 declared that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has performed creditably well since assumed office , transforming the state in the process .
He praised the governor for keeping the torch shinning by his exemplary performance, which has justified his election by the people of Rivers State. .
He said: “I am part of Rivers State. I grew up in Rivers State and Bayelsa was carved out of Rivers State. Also, my wife is from Rivers State. Today, is my first day of visiting Rivers State since Wike assumed office as Governor. Twenty two months down the line, I am quite impressed with what I have seen. One thing I must commend Wike is that he has positive traits. I always believe that wherever you find yourself, add value. Governor Wike has added value in Rivers State. He has done well to show his signature.”
Former Senate President David Mark
Former Senate President; Senator David Mark emphasised that Governor Wike has used his mandate to positively change the developmental outlook of Rivers State, keeping his promises, instead of giving excuses for failure.
Speaking on the projects delivery of Governor Wike after commissioning the 8-kilometre Ozuoba-Ogbogoro-Rumuolumeni road, Senator Mark said : “so far, he has governed well now people are beginning to see the results of the promises that he made.
“He is not only keeping his promises , he also has the welfare of the people at heart. That is what governance is all about. Those who voted him are reaping in the benefits of democracy.
“Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is a man of action who keeps to his words and promises. I want to thank you for keeping to your promises.’
.”I am a great advocate of change the change. Because what brought APC to power is change. Now we have seen that change has not taken place. We have to change that change now. Why we must change the change is because those who called for change are not keeping their promise”, Senator Mark said.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, praised Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for bringing back faith in government through his superlative projects delivery at a time people were losing faith in government.
Ekweremadu made the remark after he commissioned the Rumuepirikom-Rumuolumeni road leading to key economic outlets , the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Naval Warship, NNS Pathfinder.
He said: “I can see people working together; I can see a state government in action. I can see a governor committed to the transformation of the state and a governor determined to use the opportunity given to him by the people of the state to the benefit of the people. I am happy to see that the governor has brought faith to government when people are losing faith in government”.
Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio
Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio,said that the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has executed more projects in the last two years than the Federal Government.
Akpabio, who spoke with journalists in Port Harcourt shortly after accompanying Wike on inspection of projects on Monday, explained that the governor’s outstanding performance stemmed from his love for Rivers people.
He said, “Governor Wike has done more work and projects in the last two years than the Federal Government. That is my considered opinion. Performance is not necessarily an issue of the availability of resources. If your state gets N5bn, do projects of that amount.
If you get N1bn, do projects commensurate with that figure. For Governor Wike, he has judiciously applied the scarce resources available to the state to develop needed infrastructure.
The resources available to Rivers State is nothing compared to that of the Federal Government. Rivers State Government gets far less than a quarter than one per cent of what accrues to the Federal Government, but we can see the tremendous quality of transformation taking place in the state.”
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal
Sokoto State Governor,Aminu Tambuwal, has described Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as a man of the people.
He spoke after commissioning expanded Okrika (ATC) Landing Jetty at Okrika Town, in Okrika Local Government Area and the newly constructed Alakahia Link Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He said Wike has endeared himself to Rivers people.
“I see that Goveror Wike is a man of the people who is committed to the development of the state, Tambuwal said
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha
Former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, praised Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for executing lifetime legacy projects.
Ihedioha, who inspected projects with Governor in Port Harcourt, said God has blessed Rivers state by using the governor to lift it to greater heights.
The former deputy speaker said the projects have transformed the fortunes of the state and expressed happiness with the quality of contractors engaged by governor Wike to build a new Rivers state.
“This governor is a blessing to the people of Rivers state.I am impressed by the work he is doing to move the state ahead. I know the extent of work done so far because I grew up here in Port Harcourt, at Captain Amangala Street. This governor has obliterated the upland and riverine dichotomy.
“He has united the people of Rivers state through projects and politics of inclusion. Wike is a good example of democratic leadership and the delivery of quality projects for the growth of society.
Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido
Former Jigawa State Governor, Dr Sule Lamido advised the leadership of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) at all levels to learn the art and science of leadership and projects delivery from Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
He spoke during the commissioning of the reconstructed Ozuoba-Rumosi road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area ..
He said: “Only PDP Governors are working. We in PDP, care and we are concerned. If we are giving a responsibility, we discharge it creditably. Governor Wike has done very well. I extend the gratitude of the entire PDP family to Governor Wike for his performance “.Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum,
Abdulaziz Yari
Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, commended Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on his efforts at transforming Rivers State despite the current economic recession in the country.
Governor Yari made the commendation at the Government House, Port Harcourt, shortly after a closed-door meeting with Wike.
Yari, who said he and others visited Wike in his capacity as governor and to discuss issues concerning the NGF.
According to Yari, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC): “We came here for friendship and private discussions, concerning the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. He is a member and we visit our members. When he has the opportunity, Governor Wike will visit Kebbi and Zamfara states. This is a brotherly visit.
“He took us round to see development projects and the way he is changing the face of the Government House. Despite the fact that we are having a serious economic crisis on our hands, which we are trying to manage, he has managed to come up with some programmes for the betterment of Rivers people. This is commendable.”
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku
Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, declared that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike deserves, The Sun Governor of the Year 2016 award because of his outstanding performance.
Presenting the award to Wike at the weekend in Lagos, Anyaoku applauded the governor for placing development projects on the priority list of his government.
He said: “This is clearly a most deserving award. Wike has been in the news for good reasons. We know Wike is working. I learnt that his nickname is Mr. Projects.
“I have been asking questions and I was told the number of projects that he has executed in Rivers State. And I did ask him while we sat together, how he was able to raise funds for all these projects. He told me that he manages to do all these projects through prudent management. Today, it gives me great pleasure to hand over this award to a most deserving awardee.”
Conclusion
Under the leadership of Governor Wike, Rivers State is witnessing her most profound stretch of development. The governor has entrenched commitment , courage, focus and visionary leadership across the state, galvanizing all stakeholders to place Rivers State above personal considerations.
From road infrastructure to water supply, from health to education, from security of lives and property to access to justice and from economic empowerment to sports development, Governor Wike has redefined leadership.
Governor Wike has proved that good governance is possible under an era of economic recession. The governor has also proved that good governance can progress simultaneously with the defence of Rivers peoples’ democratic rights.
Issues
Is Okocha A Happy Man Being Perpetual Hireling?
The man Tony Okocha, the devastated tattered ragtag remnant Rivers APC factional, but Caretaker, Chairman, is known for being notoriously a hireling willing to play in the mud just for the pay or settlement. To Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, he did against Chief Nyesom Wike. To Senator Magnus Abe, he did against Rotimi Amaechi. To Chief Nyesom Wike, he did against Magnus Abe. Having maintained such unbefitting character trait, it is not surprising to see him at his demeaned best showing off his tainted skill of grandstanding and loquaciously struggling fruitlessly almost every day to castigate the popular Rivers people’s Governor with very glaring false, bogus and unsubstantiated claims such as:
1. That Governor Fubara is wasting state fund in the name of thanksgiving across 23 Local Government Areas.
2. That Governor Fubara has withheld Local Government funds.
3. That Governor Fubara runs the government without input from the State Executive Council.
4. That nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance.
To the above false claims of Tony Okocha, every reasonable, right thinking and well-meaning Rivers person would effortlessly puncture all as rascality and mendacity taken too far.
Apart from the fact that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had said he is not sponsoring the massive SIMplified Movement Thanksgiving events across the Local Government Areas of the State being organised by elated Rivers people who feel liberated from an era of overbearing and suppressive form of leadership in the State, Tony Okocha should be asked to prove his false claim with indisputable facts and figures. Until then, let Tony Okocha respect himself and learn to keep quiet as an elderly person who is saddled with such a responsible position as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board. A position that places a huge responsibility on him to ensure that the core objectives of the commission are actualised in the State, by not only ensuring that Rivers State gets its fair share of its dues in terms of projects, programmes and activities, but by synergising with the state government on development matters concerning the state vis-a-vis the responsibilities of NDDC to the State. In summary, the SIMplified Movement is all about a happy and joyful people of Rivers State who have decided to stand and stick together to defend and uphold their common heritage and patrimony. It is a voluntary venture, not sponsored by the government.
To his claim that the Governor has withheld Local Government funds, Mr Tony Okocha should also be asked to prove that with facts and figures and explain why the Governor would do such. More so, what is Tony Okocha’s business, assuming, but not conceding, that a PDP Governor withholds money against PDP-led 23 Local Government authorities? Did Local Government workers across the state complain to Okocha, the meddlesome hireling, an acclaimed APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State?
On his ignorant and false claim that the Governor runs the government without input from the state exco, Okocha, the busybody wannabe should explain how he was employed or engaged as the spokesperson of members of the Rivers State Executive Council. He should also tell us his source of information to that effect, if it is not just a proof that he is making himself known as a perpetually irredeemable hireling notoriously good for playing the spoiler’s role.
On Mr Okocha’s assertion, probably, borne out of lack of more convincing lies, that nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance, is sure a proof that the man is only acting a bad and an unsellable script to justify the reward of expected gratifying filthy lucre, which is the compelling reason for condescending so low and evilly so. How else is governance measured, if not by executing meaningful and impactful projects, giving hope, inspiring and putting smiles on the faces of the people with joy of fulfilment in their hearts, both civil servants and everyone living and doing business in the State? Is Okocha blind to see and deaf to hear of the good works of the Governor Fubara led Rivers State Government? Civil servants are happy, teachers are highly elated. Several projects are ongoing. Investors are trooping in. The health sector, education, agriculture, sports have been highly boosted under Governor Fubara-led administration. To Okocha, there’s no governance in the State because patronage of free money is not getting to him from the Governor but from other sources that are likely against the Governor.
Let Tony Okocha weep more. Rivers State is breathing fresh air already and is liberated.
Let Tony Okocha tell us how he has, so far, as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), clearly effected development in the State through the NDDC, and why he lied that there was Cholera outbreak with deaths recorded in Soku in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area with the intent of raking in about ¦ N5billion for non-existent mitigation programmes?
Odike is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Social/New Media .
Bernard C. Idike
Issues
Day Asari-Toru Declared Massive Support For Fubara
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was an American statesman and politician who served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was a member of the Democratic Party and is the only United States President to have served more than two terms.
In one of his popular quotes, he said, “The creed of our democracy is that liberty is acquired and kept by men and women who are strong and self-reliant, and possessed of such wisdom as God gives mankind – men and women who are just, and understanding, and generous to others — men and women who are capable of disciplining themselves. For they are the rulers and they must rule themselves.”
This explains the recent gathering of creme la creme of Asari-Toru political gladiators converged at the inauguration of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter to reiterate their unflinching support for the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara whose mantra revolves around liberation.
The event which took place at the Autograph in Port Harcourt on the 1st of March, 2024, to galvanise strong support for Governor Fubara attracted over 500 members of the Simplified Movement from the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The gathering of supporters of Governor Fubara’s government, under the umbrella of the Simplified Movement, the ASALGA chapter led by an astute politician, former member of the Federal House of Representatives and two- time member of the Rivers State Executive Council as Commissioner, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall comprised both the old and young generation political helmsmen drawn from all the 13 Wards of the local government area.
The nerve-““““““wracking gathering had the likes of the 1999 democratic system pioneer Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council and former two-time Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Hon. Opakirite Mackson Jackreece; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adokiye Young-Harry; former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Daisy West and former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Chief Hon. Iboroma Norman Wokoma.
Others were the incumbent Vice Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Tekena Wokoma; former Commissioner of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Hon. Dr. Hope Barango; the South-West Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sule Amachree and the Secretary of the Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Cladious Princewill; former Chief of Staff of Council, Hon. Ajumogobia West and former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ASALGA, Hon. Onari Awo Tariah.
Also present at the event were past caretaker committee chairmen of the Local Government Council including, Hon. Waite Harry, Hon. Dawari Hamilton Ibinabo, Hon. Wright Warmate and former Deputy Mayor of the Port Harcourt City Council, Hon. Adokiye Horsfall amongst others. My humble self belongs to the movement. The list is inexhaustible.
Speaking at the inauguration, the member representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency and leader of the Asari-Toru political family, Hon. Boma Goodhead assured the people of the commitment of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to extend visible dividends of democracy to the people of ASALGA.
The federal lawmaker who spoke through her representative, Dr. Sule Amachree, said Governor Fubara means well for Rivers people, particularly the people of ASALGA and urged them to remain calm, peaceful and resolute in their support to the administration of the State Governor.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is the Governor ordained by God to liberate Rivers people from the snares of poverty and oppression. He is God-sent to bring visible and even development to Rivers State and Asari-Toru people are on the top of that agenda of development,” she said.
Hon. Goodhead reiterated her confidence in the capacity of the leader of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall to mobilise massive support and a huge source of encouragement for the Government of Sir Siminalayi Fubara to succeed.
“I urge you to continue to stand firm with our Governor. Be rest assured that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is a man of peace, focused and determined to deliver on the mandate given to him by the people of Rivers State. He will not fail you,” she said.
In his speech, the leader of the ASALGA chapter of the Simplified Movement, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall described the movement as a child of necessity born out of the hunger of Rivers people for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation.
“As witnessed across the length and breadth of Rivers State, the Simplified Movement is a child of necessity, born out of the hunger for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation, with one core objective to promote and defend the interests of Rivers State and her people. It is on this account, we stand as dependable allies giving strong support to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in his pursuit of peace and commitment to the genuine development of Rivers State.
“It is our position that with the elections come and gone, it is practically a time to face governance and to ensure deliverables of dividends to the people of Rivers State in the atmosphere of peace, security and stability,” he said.
Chief Samuel Horsfall explained that Rivers people saw the leadership qualities needed to achieve the sole objective to genuinely defend and promote the interest of the State in Governor Fubara, hence the spontaneous massive support expressed in the birth of the Simplified Movement.
He recounted avalanche of achievements made by Governor Fubara within six months in office. “We appreciate the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his resilience and determination to make a difference. It is on record and attestable by all, the numerous projects being executed by his administration.
“Such as the ongoing construction of the gigantic Port Harcourt Ring Road project, the 20,000 housing units for low income earners, the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity road, the near completion of the 10km Old Port Harcourt-Bori road, the Emohua-Kalabari road, the 6.5km Woji-Alesa-Refinery link road and the inclusion of the remaining part of the Trans-Kalabari road project in the 2024 budget. “Moreover, the promotion of the State civil servants, first time in history payment of N100,000.00 Christmas bonus to civil servants across board, approval of promotions and implementation of N30,000.00 minimum wage for local government workers and the N4 billion single digit interest loans facility for Small and Medium Scale business operators in Rivers State. All these achievements within six months in office are eloquent testimonies of Governor Fubara to deliberately improve the welfare of Rivers people.
“We are convinced that such a proven great mind and well experienced, tested and trusted administrator/technocrat, Governor Fubara has demonstrated the capacity to deliver effectively the needed democratic dividends to Rivers people. It is on this convention we are gathered here for the umpteenth time to reaffirm our unalloyed support and commitment to his administration,” Chief Samuel Horsfall declared.
He disclosed that the gathering was to put in place citizens mobilisation strategy to forge a collaborative bond with the Governor to foster partnership for the development of ASALGA and the State. He, therefore, advised those he called detractors of Governor Fubara’s administration to desist forthwith and allow the Governor to remain focused in his quest to deliver on his mandate.
“All detractors should desist from further attacks on the Governor and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and allow the Governor to focus on the delivery of the good policies and programmes to Rivers people. We unequivocally condemn attempts by disgruntled Abuja politicians to employ intimidation antics against the former Speaker of the 10th State Assembly and current Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and others who are standing on the path of justice and good conscience for the collective good of Rivers State.
“We equally urge the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to be discreet in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities in the State and not to allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals who do not mean well to fuel political crisis in Rivers State.
Chief Samuel Horsfall also commended the federal lawmaker, Hon. Boma Goodhead for her doggedness and resilience in supporting Governor Fubara since the wake of the political crisis in the State.
Several other personalities spoke to express their support to the State Governor and urged the people to ASALGA to maintain their peaceful disposition and remain steadfast in the Simplified Movement to give the state government maximum support to continue to render good governance to Rivers people.
Highlights of the event were the inauguration of the elders and stakeholders of the Simplified Movement for the 13 Wards as well as the executive committee of the movement in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Amieyeofori Ibim
Issues
Human Capital Development …Panacea For Poverty Reduction In Nigeria
Experts have over time emphasised the relationship between Human Capital Development (HCD), poverty reduction and good standard of living. They view human capital development in the light of increasing the number of persons who have skills, education and experience that are required for the economic growth and development of a nation. They also view it as a people -focused plan of action aimed at providing knowledge, skills and productivity for the development of a nation. The World Bank in its publication, “The-Human-Capital-Project-in-Sub-Saharan-Africa-Stories-of-Progress”, states that “Human capital, which is the sum of a population’s health, skills, knowledge, and experience, accounts for the largest share of countries’ wealth globally. “It allows everyone to reach their full potential and is increasingly becoming recognised as a primary driver of a nation’s economic growth.”
The World Bank in analysing how countries have fared with regard to HCD, stated that based on a new index, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa saw major reductions in under-five mortality between 1990 and 2015. It however, stated that “the number of children who die under the age of five mostly from avoidable causes such as complications related to respiratory infections, diarrhea, or malaria, is still high at about 2.9 million every year. “Countries such as Somalia, Chad, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Nigeria have child mortality rate above 100 deaths per 1,000 live births, one of the highest in the world.” Also, according to the World Bank, Nigeria ranked 152 in the 2018 Human Capital Index (HCI). In furtherance of Nigeria’s poor rating, the World Bank 2020 HCI indicates that, “a child born in Nigeria just before the pandemic will be 36 per cent as productive when she grows up as she could be if she enjoyed complete education and full health.
“This is lower than the average for the Sub-Saharan African region (40 per cent) and Lower Middle Income countries (48 per cent).
Nigeria’s poor rating is corroborated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), global data on out-of-school children, which indicated in 2022 that Nigeria has about 20 million out-of-school children. In the same vein, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said a new global maternal mortality report showed that 82,000 women in Nigeria die from pregnancy and childbirth-related cases annually. Part of the fallout of the Nigeria’s poor Human Capital Index unfortunately is the current surge in human capital export popularly called “Japa”, which has led to huge manpower gap in various sectors of the Nigerian economy. This capital export, which has seen doctors, nurses, teachers and other professionals leaving the shores of the country in droves, has also led to shortage of skilled manpower. This development has further affected critical sectors of the economy that are key to measuring the level of human capital development like the health and education sectors.
To find lasting solution to the problem of poor HCI, the World Development Report (WDR) 2019 stated that “investing in human capital must be a priority for governments in order for workers to build the skills in demand in the labour market. It further stated that, “governments need to enhance social protection and extend it to all people in society irrespective of the terms on which they work.” To fund these investments in human capital and social protection, the report offers some suggestions as to how governments can mobilise additional revenues by increasing tax base. In view of this reality and as part of efforts to change the narrative, the National Economic Council in March 2018, inaugurated the Human Capital Development (HCD) Programme in Nigeria. The programme is designed in recognition of the critical role human capital development plays in addressing poverty and ensuring sustainable economic growth. It is also aimed at increasing investments in the Nigerian people, thereby improving Nigeria’s human capital development indices.
The immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at a Peer Review meeting recently held for HCD State Focal Persons under the programme, said, Nigeria must accord attention to HCD to drive the desired economic growth. He emphasised that human capital development plays a critical role in addressing poverty and ensuring participatory and sustainable economic growth. The former vice president urged the focal persons not to relent in sensitising state governments to ensure the impacts of the programme were felt at the grassroots. “We have since inception made tremendous strides in the implementation of the programme at the national and sub national levels. “Notable achievements included the inauguration of the national HCD strategy, constitution of state HCD councils and technical working groups. “Others are the development of national HCD communication strategy and the organisation of regional HCD conferences as well as strategic partnerships and alliances being forged across several stakeholders’ groups,’’ he said. Osinbajo expressed optimism that the successes achieved so far would provide the needed confidence in implementing the third phase of the programme successfully.
“As we begin the third phase of the programme implementation, the objectives of this programme will be met and the 2030 HCD target will be achieved in all, across the three thematic areas (level of education, standard of living and health of humans).“This phase is crucial to national success as it would be taking HCD to the grassroots where change is most needed and advocacy critical in where the programme is adopted,’’ he said. Osinbajo said that the third phase includes the inauguration of the community-based demonstration of the HCD programme in its simplest form. He said that successes recorded could be replicated across various communities in each local government area across Nigeria. Also speaking, the Coordinator, Core Working Group, HCD in Nigeria, Ms. Yosola Akinbi, said that critical areas of the implementation and management of the programme must happen at the grassroots. While noting that HCD was the software of any development, Akinbi said “we must build a country where the skills will be retained.”
In the same vein, some of the focal persons during their state presentations, said that the core of the HCD drive was the empowerment of youths to have the capacity and skills needed in creating or seeking employment. A participant from Akwa Ibom, Mr. Isaac Uduak, narrated how Akwa Ibom State Government under the former governor, Emmanuel Udom, took labour force participation seriously through its industrialisation policy that leveraged a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to revolutionise industries in Africa. “The average Nigerian will agree that policy formulation has never been a problem, implementation is usually the challenge. “The administration of Governor Emmanuel Udom understood this and went beyond mere policy implementation to ensuring the effective execution of its industrialisation policies in creating wealth for its people,’’ Uduak said.
The Nasarawa State Focal Person, Mrs. Habiba Suleiman, said that the programme in the state was concentrating on youth development. According to her, the Nasarawa State Government through the HCD Office with OXFAM in Nigeria as funding partners had trained youths in courses such as Team Building, Work Ethics and Business Model Canvas. “Others are Problem Solving, Presentation Skills, Telephone Etiquette, Customer Service among others,’’ she said.
In the account of the Adamawa State delegate, Mr. Amos Nuhu, the state under the programme built the capacity of 1, 000 health workers while improving the utilisation of child health and nutrition. “In addition, we have 10 skills acquisition centres and we are providing technical knowledge to improve efficiency for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in shoes and bags making. “More so, the state has its priorities in education through training and retraining of teachers as well as operating free education at the basic level,’’ Nuhu said.
Meanwhile, working in line with the vision to develop human capital in the country, the immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, had also pledged the state’s commitment to developing the human capital crucial in the growth of industries. He said, “we will work with the entire Nigeria to ensure that we develop the human capital which is needed for the growth of industries. Analysts have opined that the new leadership of the states and the nation should give prior attention to the issue of Human Capital Development, take the works of their predecessors in this regard to higher level and initiate some projects and programmes, where they are lacking, so that more Nigerians will be equipped to contribute to the development of their states and the country at large.
They said that leaders across the three tiers of government should play down on amassing public funds for themselves and generations yet unborn and rather use these monies to rebuild the various sectors of the nation’s economy so that Nigeria will be a better place to live in.
By: Calista Ezeaku
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