The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has called upon all stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders and business owners to collaborate and explore the untapped potentials of resources within local communities across Nigeria to create meaningful job opportunities and drive sustainable economic growth.
The minister made the call while giving a goodwill message at the third edition of the Lagos state employment summit held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos state.
A press statement issued by the director Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Omolara Esan, quoted the minister as emphasising that, almost every local government area in Nigeria has a comparative advantage in producing one type of product or the other.
Olawande stressed the need for a more intentional and strategic collaboration among various entities, such as government agencies, private sector organisations and educational institutions, to harness these local strengths for employment and economic development initiatives.
Olawande highlighted the untapped potentials within local communities across the country, stressing that these areas possess a wealth of natural, cultural, and human resources.
According to him, “There is no way the government alone can achieve the difficult task of creating employment for our increasing youth population. Similarly, the private sector cannot do it alone either. Therefore, there is a need for deeper and deliberate collaboration to harmonize resources and human capital to deliver the much-needed jobs.”