The Federal Government has stated that, ‘Foreign investment commitments in
Nigeria have, in recent years, risen to almost Five Trillion Naira.’
‘Agriculture is finally on the way to taking its rightful place as a major
source of economic growth and revenue’. ‘Manufacturing, Industrial and
infrastructural development are also seeing tremendous progress.’
The Vice President, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo stated this while
representing President Goodluck Jonathan at the Grand Finale of the
PressPlay Empowerment Seminar at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.
Vice President Sambo said that, ‘these facts indicate that the government
is on the irreversible lane of progress and gaining traction in the task
of moving Nigeria forward.’ He called on the youths to key in and ‘take
their place in the joint task of nation building’, saying, ‘the task of
building a nation is a responsibility for all citizens.’
The Vice President explained that, ‘the PressPlay Initiative programmes
promote positive empowerment of young people, so they can maximize their
potentials which are assets to our development as a country.’ He pointed
out that more opportunities than ever, have today been created by
government agencies and policies for youths to find support for their
innovations and business ventures, stressing that PressPlay introduces
young people to some of these programs. The Vice President encouraged them
to make efforts to participate. He pledged government’s dedication to
create a conducive environment for prosperity.
He enumerated the achievements of the government in the past four years to
include tremendous progress in critical sectors of the economy as the
successful power sector reforms; commendable overhaul of the transport
sector; special industrialization plans etc.
Vice President Sambo implored all Nigerians to come out and vote on
election day as our collective responsibility and stressed that, ‘violence
or intimidation will not be acceptable’.
Earlier the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Olusegun Aganga
stated that the government has identified major problems of youths such as
unemployment. He stated that the first ever Presidential Jobs Board was
inaugurated by this government and is chaired by Vice President Sambo. The
Board has the mandate of creating at least two million jobs a year and so
far have done creditably well in meeting this target.
Angela Jones, the Co-ordinator, PressPlay said the initiative is geared at
encouraging youths to be creative, resourceful and key into
entrepreneurship to become future employers of labour. She acknowledged
the support given the initiative towards achieving their goals by the
government. She advised the youths to occupy themselves in meaningful
ventures in life to sustain their integrity.
Other dignitaries present included the Minister of Women Affairs, Zainab
Maina, Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, Chairman, Senate Committee
on Trade and Investment, Nenadi Usman, Head of the Civil Service of the
Federation, Danladi Kifasi, Nigerian students, Nigerian youth
entrepreneurs amongst others.