It is with great pleasure and profound appreciation that I join you today as the Special Guest of Honour in this genuine and impactful Employability Training Workshop For 1,000 Unemployed Graduates in Edo State.
On behalf of the His Excellency, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and the Executive Council of Edo State, I want to particularly thank the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr.(Sen) Chris Ngige and the entire Ministry for choosing to organize this Employability Training in Edo State at this critical time in our State’s history in particular and our Nation’s in general.
On daily basis, our Universities and Polytechnics churn out thousands of graduates, who after graduation and serving the Nation in the mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Scheme, go back to their homes or join the ever exploding Labour Market or take to criminal activities as means of survival. Most of them are truly not well equipped to be employable and thus not properly placed to enhance access to employment opportunities.
Considering the number of Graduates roaming the Street, the wastages associated with their not being meaningfully engaged and their now endemic contributions to antisocial vices including cyber crimes and other criminal activities, the objectives of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in this regard brings convictions that the number shall be reduced as they will be better placed after this unique Trainings.
I am therefore convinced, that these Trainings could not have come at no better time than this. I urge the Trainees to take these Trainings with all the seriousness they deserve. From these Trainings, pools of employable and qualified Graduates shall be compiled and submitted to the relevant Agencies in Edo State as commissioned by His Excellency, the Executive Governor as priority lists when employment opportunities are available. This is a huge advantage to each graduate that shall undertake these trainings, to prove themselves suitable and dependable.
Lastly, I want to reiterate that this laudable gesture by the Federal Government of Nigeria shall be complimented by the State Government as they are in tandem with the plans and aspirations of this present administration since its inception. The State Government shall continue to support all initiatives aimed at enhancing wealth creation, meaningful youth engagement, skill acquisition and other such ventures.
Kindly accept our profound appreciation once again and I wish the Trainees all the best as they expose themselves to knowledge and skills that are needed to move this Nation to greater heights!