Ogun employment conference is to empower the youths – Deputy Gov

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

The Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele has said that the forthcoming Employment Creation Conference in the state scheduled for September 6 and 7, 2023 is targeted towards the youth to tackle unemployment head-on.

This was made known during the advocacy Visit of the Local Organising Committee on the conference, led by its Chairman and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola to the Deputy Governor in Abeokuta.

Engr. Salako-Oyedele who lamented the rate of unemployment in the country, described it as the biggest challenge any society could have, saying ‘’if the menace is not addressed with concerted efforts, the youths who make up the largest chunk of the population would not be able to cater for the aged’’.

The Deputy Governor added that the inclusion of a job fair in the highlights of the conference would make its impact remarkable, pointing out that stakeholders should show commitment to employing the young ones during the programme.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and Chairman of the LOC , Dr. Aikulola, assured that the forthcoming conference, which is a replica of the National Employment Conference held in Abuja, would identify the gaps that would inform steps to take in the immediate and long run to stem the tide of unemployment.

Contributing, the State Advisor and Coordinator of GIZ , Mr. Stephen Dada, said that the efforts of Ogun State Government towards employment Creation aligns with the GIZ, noting that the State already has a job portal and a number of job centres, which he described as ample opportunities to leverage on.