ILO committed to collaborate with Nigeria on key challenges
The newly appointed International Labour Organization (ILO) Assistant Director General/Regional Director for Africa, Nigerian -born Ms. Cynthia Samuel Olonjuwon has reiterated the commitment of ILO to strengthen its collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria in its efforts at promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.
The Regional Director made this assertion, when she paid a maiden visit to the Office of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige in Abuja.
According to her, “For us, at ILO, we would continue to be a key developmental partner to Nigeria in its efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable development anchored on decent work for its men and women particularly the youths.”
Speaking further, Olonjuwon emphasized that Nigeria is a very strategic partner to the ILO being the country to host the first International Labour Organization (ILO) office in Africa; and one of the few countries that have tripartite representation in the Governing Body of ILO.
She said that the Director General of ILO Mr, Guy Rider has made a commitment to be the first Director General of ILO to visit Nigeria as part of activities marking the celebration of ILO’s 100 years (Centenary of the ILO. )
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige affirmed that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, through huge investment in the agriculture and mining sector is confronting the challenges of youth unemployment in Nigeria.
He said, “We have through the agricultural sector created about 8 million jobs down the Agricultural chain as evident in the Central Bank of Nigeria report.”
He added that, Nigeria occupied a very peculiar position on the ILO Governing Board and realizes the enormous responsibilities this placed on her in Africa and the world at large and requested the ILO to provide technical support to some African Countries that are new on the Governing Board of ILO for them to effectively discharge the responsibilities that come with being a member of the board, as representative of Africa.
The minister requested ILO to fashion out a way of ensuring that the issues of youth unemployment, implementation of social protection and irregular migration, which are major challenges for most African countries, are addressed, saying, it would guarantee the successful implementation of social protection and prosperity across the developing countries.
By Idu Jude, Abuja
