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We Use Social Investment To Stem Poverty, Unemployment -FG
The Federal Government has said that the reason for embarking on social investment programmes was to stem poverty and unemployment in the polity.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede, who stated this at a youth empowerment programme in Abuja, also said that the government Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the policy would grow Nigeria’s technology infrastructure.
Fielding questions at the programme, tagged, “The Surge Entrepreneurship Summit”, with the theme: “Discovering Your Potential, Imoukhuede said many young Nigerians have ventured into technology, adding that technology and innovation in the last six years have taken a real surge and helped in creating a lot of job opportunities.
Asked how many jobs the government has created, he said, “As we know, jobs are not created by the government; it is the inter-relationship of the economy that creates jobs; so, the focus of the government is to ensure that we keep creating enabling environment for business to thrive; for ideas to thrive; for innovations to thrive and we do that through the various agencies and ministries of government.
“Of course, in the first term of this government, we also set up the National Social Investment Programme which we piloted directly though the president at the time; the success of that enabled us to now have a new ministry, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs …anchoring all of the social investment.
“The reason for that is basically just being able to help to stem the poverty tide because interventions in the economy do take time; while you are doing that, people are hungry; so, we use the social investment as a short term measure to stem poverty; to stem unemployment through the N-Power Programme, the Conditional Cash Transfer, the School Feeding Programme.
“But over and above that, what we are also doing through the MSMEs Clinics that we do across the states is to work the state and private sector to create opportunities; enabling environment for young people and everyone to able to discover their potential.
“And last but not least, there are a lot of young people in technology. Technology and innovation is something that in the last six years has taken a real surge and has helped in creating a lot of job opportunities.
“Our population is huge; over 200 million, of this number, 65per cent of them are young people. So, there is a lot of pressure in terms of the way our population grows versus the way our economy grows; so, that’s the reason a summit with the focus of discovering potential is very important to enable young people inwards and really discover what they can do in creating value.
“But the reality as well is that the collaboration between the states and federal and the private sector is helping but there are still so much that we can do.
“Of course, as we are struggling to do, the COVID realities also coming; the health and economic challenge as a result of COVID.”
He said, “So, the first thing on the side of government is the fact that there is now a ministry that focuses on ICT and digital economy; we all have a lot of states that are buying into that whole investment in their states; in setting up hubs; in setting up technology infrastructure.
“Now, that is something that we must do; but again, you also find that there are a lot of private sector investments—the amount of global fund, investments that are coming into our tech space is enormous.
“Ventures Park just two days ago announced the closure of their fund, $40million funds are going into investments; it is a pan-African fund; Nigeria we know is going to benefit and other African can countries.
“So, the tech infrastructure will be grown by a partnership between public and private and I dare say largely the private sector.
“What you need from government is really just policy and what I saw recently as well, is that you find a lot of tech angel investors who are working with the government to define the bill that they know will unlock and open that industry; so the tech guys are doing a lot of work.”
Also speaking, the Founder of Beat 79 FM, Tosin Shoga, said, “If you look at the attributes of a leader, to be a good leader; to be able to run an enterprise successfully, communication is one of the vital ingredients of becoming successful.
“Our youths must learn how to communicate; how to share information; how to share skills; there are you know that I don’t know; once we share information among ourselves, we are at an advantage in becoming successful.”
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene