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GES: FG Registers 15.5m Farmers …Launches Productivity Policy

Published

12 years ago

September 27, 2013

Governor Chibuike Amaechi (right) and former minister, Alabo T.O Graham-Douglas, admiring proceedings at the just concluded 2013 International Fashion Week in Port Harcourt. Photo: Egberi Sampson

The Federal Government yesterday said it had registered about 15.5 million farmers under the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES).
Regional Director for North Central, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sunday Edibor, announced this in Minna at a stakeholders’ meeting.
He said the farmers were from Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa and FCT, to ensure national food security.
Edibo said the scheme, which would boost agriculture and ensure self reliance for the farmers, was to help the country in its effort to stop food importation by 2015.
“We intend to stop importing food by 2015, so we have to take steps that would aid the intention of the Federal Government in producing its own food.”
He said the states and number of farmers registered between 2012 and 2013 included Niger, 270,000; Plateau, 360,000 and Benue, 252,000.
The regional director said the meeting involved GES and Agricultural Development Project coordinators in each of the states, agro-allied dealers and suppliers.
The meeting also involved the state directors of agriculture where the 2013 performance of the scheme in the region was reviewed.
Edibo urged rural farmers in the region to register in their various states, to ensure their reliance and food security for the country.
“They should come out to register before we conclude this programme in 2015; they stand the chance of improving their finances and ensuring food security for the nation,’’ he said.
He said the stakeholders deliberated extensively on the issue of inadequacy of fund and extension workers.
The director, however, said that the issues would be tackled by the ministry in the 2014 budget.
Edibo thanked the Niger Government for supporting the scheme and its agricultural regeneration programmes.
He urged other states in the region to emulate the political will of the government to revamp agriculture in their states.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday launched the National Policy on Productivity, with a call on Nigerians to imbibe the culture in all sectors of the economy.
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, while launching the policy in Abuja, said it was critical to the economy and development of the country.
Wogu said that meaningful and sustainable development would be achieved without a concerted effort to institutionalise productivity.
He urged Nigerians to advance the structure at all levels of governance and sectors of the society.
“Against this premise, the place of productivity as a veritable tool in the achievement of government Transformation Agenda and Indeed the actualisation of vision 20:2020 cannot be over emphasised.
“The National Policy on Productivity is, therefore, our concerted response to the challenges of our under-development due to the nation’s low level of productivity.
“The low level productivity observed in our services and social sectors has highlighted the need to develop the policy on productivity.’’
The minister said that the his ministry, state governments and the National Productivity Centre had the responsibility to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the policy.
He enjoined all stakeholders to be committed to the partnership aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the provisions of the document.
The minister also requested the state and local governments to quickly inaugurate their productivity councils and committees as enunciated in the policy.
He said the ministry would offer relevant technical assistance, where necessary, to ensure the immediate take-off of the implementing organs at other levels of governance.
Wogu said Nigeria was not bereft of good ideas, socio-economic programmes and well-articulated policies capable of transforming the country into a developed economy.
He said the lack of explicit policy had been identified as the missing link that deprived policies, plans and programme as well as synergy for effective and efficient implementation.
He said the policy was a strategic document that established the vision, mission, goals, objectives, guidelines and the modus operandi for the mobilisations, participation and promotion of productivity culture among the citizenry.
In his remarks, the Head of Federal Civil Service, Alhaji Bukar Aji, said his office would make adequate copies of the document available to Nigerians.
He advised that the document should not be seen as a material for drawers, but must be studied thoroughly to boost the economy and enhance productivity.
“ You must be productive. The document should be studied very well in order to boost your productivity and that of the economy.
“It doesn’t matter the level you are, whichever sector you find yourself, you must contribute to the development of the nation.
“People should be conscious of that fact.’’
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Mr Paul Bdliya, said the importance of productivity in any economy could not be overstressed.
According to him, it is the level of productivity that makes the difference between the relative poverty of the developing countries and the national affluence of the developed and industrialised nations.
He said to survive economically, a nation needed to evolve a culture of productivity in all its undertakings.

News

Don Lauds RSG, NECA On Job Fair

Published

10 hours ago

January 26, 2026

The Tide

The National Coordinator of Embedded Ai -EU Erasmus Project in Nigeria, Prof. Bourdillon Omijeh, has commended the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Rivers State Government for their strategic partnership in organizing the Job Fair 2026.

The Job Fair with theme: “Addressing Youth Employability for Prosperity,” took place at Obi International Conference Center, Port Harcourt, last week.

Speaking as Special Guest, Professor Omijeh stated that result-oriented human capital development and trainings focused on relevant skills is the most effective solution to reducing the high rate of graduate unemployment in Rivers State.

He noted that Nigeria is firmly in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), driven by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Internet of Things, Virtual and Augmented Reality, and 5G.

According to him, these emerging technologies offer enormous employment and entrepreneurial opportunities across critical sectors, including agriculture, power, Telecommunication, oil and gas, healthcare, and security.

He emphasized the growing shift from job seeking to job creation, explaining that youths equipped with 4IR skills can become innovators, solution providers, and founders of startups and new industries.

Professor Omijeh further stated that Nigeria is richly endowed with talented youths capable of competing globally when properly empowered with the right skills, support, and enabling environment.

He called for sustained collaboration between government, the private sector, and educational institutions to build a future-ready workforce and drive inclusive economic growth in Rivers State.

To the over 4000 teeming youths present, Professor Omijeh said, according to Bill Gate, that “Being born poor is not a fault, but remaining poor in a world of opportunity and skills is a responsibility that must be consciously addressed.

“Don’t allow your current circumstances define your destiny. There’s a seed of greatness in you. Sieze any and every opportunity to develop yourself and acquire the requisite skills.

He passionately urged the Rivers State Government to intentionally invest and fund result-oriented training programmes through the strategic Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment and Ministry of Youth Development to increase employability and reduce the rate of graduate unemployment in Rivers State.

He thanked the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Honorable Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom K. Gbali, for this laudable initiative with NECA.

Professor Bourdillon Omijeh is the National Coordinator of the Embedded Artificial Intelligence (EAI) -EU Erasmus Project in Nigeria; Immediate Past Director of Centre for Information and Telecommunication Engineering Uniport, NCC-Chair Occupant on ICT Uniport; TensorFlow four (4) times award winner on Capacity building on Ai & ML -(2021-2024), CEO-Bourdillon Omijeh Foundation.

As a Professional Mentor, he has facilitated the training of thousands of youths on 4IR- Skills with relevant certifications and evidential engagements.
Follow Prof Bourdillon Omijeh on LinkedIn.

News

Explore Opportunities, Become Employers, Fubara Urges Rivers Youths

Published

4 days ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged youths in the state to take advantage of the vast opportunities available to become employers of labour and contribute meaningfully to growth and development.

Fubara said global trends increasingly favour entrepreneurship and innovation, stressing that youths in Rivers State must not be left behind in harnessing such opportunities.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, the governor stated this while declaring open the 2026 Job Fair organised by the Rivers State Government in partnership with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Speaking on the theme, “Addressing Youth Employability for Prosperity,” the governor acknowledged the responsibility of government to create jobs for its teeming youth population but noted that it was unrealistic to absorb all job seekers into the civil service.

“As a government, we recognise our duty to provide employment opportunities for our teeming youths. However, we also understand that not all youths can be accommodated within the civil service.

“This underscores the need to encourage entrepreneurship across diverse sectors and to partner with other stakeholders, including the youths themselves, so they can transition from being job seekers to employers of labour,” he said.

Fubara further urged participants to continually sharpen their skills and explore opportunities within their immediate environment and the global space through digital platforms.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and providing an enabling environment for youths to develop their potential and thrive.

In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr Chisom Gbali, said the job fair was designed to equip youths with contemporary skills, innovation and mentorship needed to transform them from unemployable to resourceful individuals.

Gbali disclosed that the ministry had rolled out various training and capacity-building programmes in areas such as ICT and artificial intelligence, oil and gas, maritime, and the blue economy.

Delivering the keynote address, the Head of the Department of Human Resources Management, Rivers State University, Dr Chris Biriowu, advised participants to remain informed about evolving sources of employability.

He said the labour market was dynamic and shaped by industry-specific demands, technological advancement, management practices and other emerging factors.

News

King Jaja Impacted Beyond Rivers -Deputy Gov

Published

4 days ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, has poured accolades on late Amayanabo of Opobo, HRM Dandeson Douglas Jaja V, saying his footprints went beyond the State.

Speaking during a condolence visit to the wife of the late king, Prof. Odu said the late monarch contributed meaningfully beyond the shores of Rivers State.

“He contributed not only to Opobo, not only to Rivers State, but to Nigeria as a nation. We all know the various positions he held until his passing. For us as a Commission, we are really going to miss him greatly, especially at this time when his guidance was most needed,” she stressed.

She described the late king as a distinguished traditional ruler whose life and service contributed immensely to the development of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

The deputy governor, who also serves as Chairman of the Rivers State Boundary Commission, noted that until his demise, King Jaja was an Ex-Officio member of the Commission, representing Rivers South East Senatorial District.

According to her, the late monarch actively participated in several meetings of the Commission and played an important advisory role.

“He actually participated with us in a couple of meetings. It was with great shock that we received the news of his passing. We saw daddy as someone who was very strong, healthy and athletic,” Prof. Odu said.

Prof. Odu explained that the Commission relied heavily on the wisdom of traditional rulers like the late monarch to ensure that its responsibilities were carried out properly and conscientiously.

She assured the family of the Commission’s continued support, saying they will remain close to the family throughout the burial arrangements and beyond.

Addressing the widow, Queen Prudence Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Prof. Odu said the visit was to commiserate with her and encourage her during the period of mourning.

“Please accept our condolences. Please be strong and put your hope in God. The God who watches over widows will never abandon you,” the deputy governor prayed.

“We cannot question God. What has happened has happened. All we can do is to pull ourselves together. That is why we are here to pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you, that God will turn your sadness into joy and clothe you with a garment of beauty,” she added.

Responding, Queen Jaja described her late husband as a gentle, humble man who was deeply committed to the progress of Rivers State, and Nigeria at large.

She expressed gratitude to the deputy governor and other members of the Boundary Commission for identifying with the family in their moment of grief.

“We are praying that his soul will rest in perfect peace. I thank you very much for coming to console me at this trying moment. Seeing you here has given me comfort. God bless each and every one of you,” she said.

She also offered prayers for the delegation, wishing them a long life and good health.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation Letter of Condolence from the Rivers State Boundary Commission to Queen Jaja.

Kevin Nengia