The World Bank has attributed Nigeria’s stunt economic growth to high rate of unemployment that has bedeviled the country.

World Bank Team Task Leader for Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO), Mr. Foluso Ogunmadewa, stated this in Lokoja on Wednesday, during the YESSO World Bank – NDE stakeholder’s forum for the implementation of Skill for Job (S4J) and component in Kogi State.

Ogunmadewa said unless the state governments or the country, tackle the high rate of unemployment in the society, crime rate will continue to worsen and the country’s economy will continue to dwindle.

“The high rate of unemployment is alarming and unless that is tackle, there cannot be any meaningful economic growth in any states or the country.

“Those who go to school and those who does not have opportunity to go to school are almost the same in the country, because there is a mismatch about the skill acquired in school for employment. Now, we have youths who have left schools but not properly trained on businesses that abound.

“That is why we (World Bank) encourage the YESSO for the Skill for Job scheme to tackle unemployment, with emphasis on the poor and vulnerable family. Those who are rich can support their children, even when they are yet to get job, but the poor who are the most vulnerable, trained their children in school with the hope that when they are through, they will provide the financial commitment to the family; then they finished the school but have no job to do.

“I employ the state and private sectors to take seriously the YESSO Skill for Job scheme. If there is employment, there will be a less crime states; a free society where people can sleep with their two eyes close and the economy of the country can equally experience accelerated growth. The Skill for Job required partnership with other stakeholders especially the private sector” Ogunmadewa posited.

The State Coordinator for YESSO, Mr. Noah Alilu, who eulogised the World Bank for bringing YESSO to Nigeria and the State, said the agency has identified the private sector to partner with in carrying out the Skill for Job scheme.

“The identification of private sector organisations for the internship/apprenticeship is to be carried out in collaboration with the private sector organisations by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE); Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (YSD); Kogi Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KOCCIMA); Korea -Kogi International Cooperation Agency (KOICA); Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Entrepreneurial Development Centre (EDE); Metallurgical Training Institute of Ajaokuta Steel Complex, among others.

“Kogi State is interested in the skill that will stand the test of time, sustainable and that can equally create more jobs; that is where our beneficiaries automatically becomes employers of labour and not job seekers” he said.

The Skill for Job Internship scheme is to run for nine months, where selected beneficiaries will be trained for three months and also attached to existing business organisation for another six months before being empowered to start on their own