Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said the Federal Government was committed to enhancing employment opportunities in the country.

He made the remark at the retreat organised for top management staff of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Sokoto yesterday.

Ngige noted that combating the unemployment challenge, through creation of jobs and poverty reduction, constitutes very daunting tasks to the government, the world over.

Ngige, who spoke through the Director of Labour, Mr. Eyewumi Neburagho, stated that despite the challenges of inadequacy of funds generally bedeviling all sectors of the Nigerian economy, only a committed leadership that inspires a patriotic followership could guarantee sustainable employment generation.

He said it becomes more challenging in a time of economic recession, due to dwindling funds. He said no expenses would be spared to ensure sustainable qualitative capacity building for the staff of NDE to acquire skills to remain relevant to contemporary dynamics of the labour market, especially in the area of job creation.

The minister described the retreat as apt and very significant, considering the central and historical role of effective leadership at all levels of governance for the development of nations in all ramifications.

He urged NDE management to evolve new strategies that are not only practical but would also adequately address all relevant and contemporary issues relating to employment generation in Nigeria.

In his remark, NDE Director General, Nasir Mohammed Argungu, said the NDE Management realised the imperative for training and re-training of personnel to acquire the appropriate skills and the right attitude to enhance productivity and efficiency to meet the special needs of operations of the Directorate.

On his part, Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to partner NDE to empower youths in order to tackle poverty in the state. The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba.

The Sun