Business
FG, Private Sector Partner To Close Skills Gap
To effectively close the skills gap in Nigeria, the Federal Government will collaborate more with the private sector, especially in the relevant policy formation process and the management of skills centres in the country.
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, stated this, Monday, at the meeting of the National Council on Skills, where it was resolved to give more roles to the Organised Private Sector (OPS) as a means to closing the skills gap in the country.
Based on the approval of the Council, the organised private sector, represented by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, among other groups, will be integrated in the activities of the NCS.
The meeting, chaired by the VP in a statement by his media aide , Laolu Akande, also resolved to, among other things, encourage the establishment of State Councils on Skills to complement and replicate efforts made at the national level, in order to deeply tackle the issue of skills gap across the country.
At the Council meeting, Prof. Osinbajo said it was clear the private sector has critical roles to play in resuscitating many of the skills centres across the country, stating that the sector is better positioned to determine the needs of the citizenry.
The VP emphasised on creating opportunities for digital skills acquisition as well as other relevant skills across different sectors, also with the active collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.