Economy

Reliable statistics viable tool for tackling unemployment, poverty – NBS

By Web News 660

The availability of timely, reliable and politics-free data is the bedrock of development in any nation or society.

This was the view of stakeholders at a training organized for enumerators for the conduct of the Nigeria Labour Force Survey held at Ibadan Business School, Bodija.

Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive, National Bureau of Statistics, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, said the nation needed an enhanced National Labour Force Survey, NLFS, which would provide insight into the level of unemployment in the country, thus enabling the government to tackle it headlong.

Prince Adeyemi Adeniran explained that NBS had been releasing data on unemployment on a quarterly basis but over the years it had not been consistent.

Similarly, Oyo State Statistician-General, Mr Adekunle Ajuwon explained that a gulf existed between the labour force and working population and that the report of the labour force survey would assist the government in identifying gaps in the use of available resources.

The Oyo State Statistician pointed out that the unemployment situation in the country was discouraging, stressing that the survey would enhance policy formulation, planning, monitoring and evaluation of government programmes.

Mr Ajuwon while pointing out that the survey would equally contribute towards poverty reduction, said the Oyo State government was quite that statistical data was crucial to achieving the 2040 State Development Plan and 2023 Sustainable Development Goals, said the State Bureau of Statistics would continue to partner with NBS in order to the data generated in the state.

 World Bank representative, Mr Jonathan William, said from the surveys in Nigeria, the bank has found that even if some people were working, they were still suffering at these jobs as the jobs are insecure, unreliable, low-pay, low-profit or informal.

Mr Jonathan, it was unfortunate that this was a reflection of what was obtained in many other countries on the continent.

He added that to help people find and create jobs that could lift them out of poverty, there was a need for timely, reliable, accurate and proven labour market data.

Funmilola Obagbayegun

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Education

Makinde Urges Healthy Competition Among Students

By Web News 699

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has charged secondary school students to imbibe healthy competition in their academic endeavors in order to succeed in life and take active part in repositioning Oyo State and the country.

The governor who spoke through the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, while addressing secondary school students’ participants at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Inter-Senior Secondary School Debate Competition of the South-West zone, held at Ibadan Business School, Bodija, Ibadan.

Some of the student participants at the flag-off of the South-West Zonal Competition of the President’s Schools’ Debate Nigeria, at Ibadan

He stated that quality debate is the staple of democracy in the modern world, stressing that without quality debate, electorates would never be able to engage politicians with whom the collective destiny of the people are entrusted for a period of time.

The governor noted that as a responsible government, the paramount concern to his administration has been of turning around the dwindling educational sector which he inherited from the last administration.

He added that within two years, several measures and reforms have been put in place, part of which are free, accessible, and quality education for all, with free text and notebooks for students in public schools to promote sound education, which have placed Oyo State on good ranking in terms of performance and delivery.

“In addition to the annual State quiz, debate and Spelling Bee competitions, the government is also promoting the participation of Oyo students in national competitions with the intention of sponsoring deserving students for international competitions, to boost their talents, skills and as well, inculcate qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork and cooperation among the students who are the leaders of tomorrow.”

“Debating is one of the best tools available to a student for development of his or her oratory skills as well as the confidence to express themselves effectively, so it should be promoted by the government, private organizations and individuals, so that we can put our education quality where we desire.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the National Coordinator, President’s Schools’ Debate Nigeria, Elder Dare Oritu, opined that the importance of debate to the country and the world cannot be overemphasized, adding that debate has been widely used across the world as a tool for dialogue between conflicting interests.

He maintained that the significant role of debating in democratic nations includes the resolution of conflicts among diverse groups, which has made some levels of impact in Nigeria, despite her numerous challenges.

Governor Makinde however expressed hope that the competition would achieve the desired success, while admonishing the Judges to discharge their duties without fear or favor, urging them to encourage debaters to play according to the laid down rules and regulations.

Also in attendance at the occasion were the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry, Alhaja Aminat Atere and other top government officials at the Ministry.

Wasiu Olatubosun (P.hd),

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism

Economy

Oyo Govt. Commences Capacity Building for Civil Servants

By Web News 785

In a bid to improve the capacity of its workforce, Oyo State Government has commenced a training workshop for about 350 Civil and Public servants.

Flagging off the training at the Ibadan Business School, Governor Makinde said the training of civil servants was necessary as they are the engine room of any government.

The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun said his administration placed high premium on the training of its the workforce to bring about desired change and for optimal performance.

In a remark, the Commissioner for Ministry of Establishment and Training, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin implored the participants to utilize the knowledge gained during the training for positive change in Oyo state.

Some of the participants expressed appreciation to the state government for its commitment to training its workforce for effective service delivery.

Iyabo Adebisi