…as Sanwo-Olu inaugurates Core Working Group
By Moses Adeniyi
In a bid to further boost the profile of Human Capital in the State, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday inaugurated the Lagos State Human Development Core Working Group.
According to report gathered, in recognition of its leadership role in issues of Human Capital Development (HCD), the State has been charged with the additional responsibility of driving the initiative in the South West as the Regional HCD Champion,
The Lagos State Human Capital Development Core Working Group which is to be chaired by the State’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has the mandate to ensure the effective coordination and implementation of Human Capital Development Intervention in Lagos State as defined in the National Human Development Plan.
For the initiative, the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond, will serve as the State Coordinator and Focal Person while the Office of the SDGs and Investment will be the Secretariat of the Core Working Group in Lagos State.
Among other members of the Lagos Core Working Group are; Prof. Akin Abayomi , the State’s Commissioner for Health; Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, Commissioner for Education; Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment; Princess Remi Adebowale, Special Adviser, Civic Engagement; inter alia.
In addition, multinational private sector organisations to serve as members of the Working Group include: the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMG); World Health Organisation (WHO); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); World Food Program (WFP); Mastercard Foundation.
According to Governor Sanwo-Olu at the launch of the Group at the State House, Ikeja, the initiative is another avenue for his administration to invest in the people, “improve the lives of Lagosians, and provide excellent opportunities to make life more meaningful for the electorate.”
“I am particularly excited about this initiative because improving Human Capital Development will help to engender a society in which our people are productive, gainfully employed, healthy and have access to quality education and good nutrition,” he said.
He mentioned that the commitment of his Administration to sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development makes it imperative to improve on all Human Capital Development Indicators, stressing that one one of the key global markers of socio-economic growth and progress is the Human Capital Index.
“Lagos State is ready to close all human capital gaps, which is why our T.H.E.M.E.S Development Agenda encompasses the creation of a 21st Century Economy in which our youth, small businesses and all Lagosians have access to economic opportunities, relevant skills, quality healthcare and education as well as other interventions and programmes that make life meaningful,” he assured.
He lamented that it is unfortunate that despite the efforts of successive governments at all levels to improve the HDIs, millions of Nigerians still live below the poverty line while Nigeria stills ranks 161 among 189 countries on the Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Programme.
“This sad narrative with devastating implications must change, and it will take the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders especially policymakers,” he noted.
Governor Sanwo-Olu mentioned that by the initiative his administration, is playing its own role by aligning with the Federal Government in the establishment of the Lagos State Human Capital Development Core Working Group which will be responsible for domesticating the Human Capital Development Programme while facilitating strategies and frameworks to improve the State’s Human Capital Development Indicators.
He mentioned that it is fortunate for the State, that the Government have made substantial budgetary provision for the key sectors that directly impact Human Capital Development.
“Our 2021 budget contains adequate provision for education, health, housing, transportation, and other basic amenities that directly affect Lagosians’ standard of living.
“This reflects our commitment to significantly improve our State’s Human Capital Development Index and eventually eradicate poverty, which is a key policy thrust of this Administration, “ he said.
According to him, investing in Human Capital Development is always a step in the right direction because it leads to great outcomes in terms of sustainable socio-economic growth, wealth generation, equitable access to healthcare and quality education, provision of economic opportunities, youth empowerment and skills acquisition as well as the sustainability of small and medium enterprises.
He however, charged the State Core Working Group to optimally harness the opportunities in the initiative in a way that will further enhance and facilitate the human capital development deliverables embedded in the administration’s policy thrust — the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.