*UNDP welcomes FG’s plan for Technology & Innovation Council
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has said it is focused on empowering the Nigerian youth through technology, innovation.
It says youth employability remains a major part of the Buhari administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), and that the Federal Government will continue to drive its support for Nigerian youths to unlock more opportunities in the technology and innovation.
Mr. Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, disclosed this coming from the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in a statement he issued in Abuja on Thursday.
Prof. Osinbajo, according to the statement, said this Thursday night while receiving a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) led by Mr. Edward Kallon, the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, when the delegation paid him a courtesy visit at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Vice President, who noted that the country has huge potential in the area of technology and innovation, added that the Federal Government remains focused on growing the economy through its support for the sector.
It would be recalled that during his visit to seven technology and innovative hubs in different parts of Lagos State on Tuesday, the Vice President had said that the Federal Government will establish an Innovation and Technology Advisory Council to harness and support the creativity and innovative ingenuity of young Nigerians and thereby drive the growth of the sector in the country.
Prof. Osinbajo also noted that innovation hubs are being set-up in the six geopolitical zones in the country, including the North East innovation hub.
“We are putting our resources in ensuring the growth of these hubs. The whole idea of investing in our people remains the pillar of our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,” the Vice President noted.
In his remarks, Kallon commended the Federal Government for the efforts in getting the country’s economy out of recession and in its plan to set up the Innovation and Technology Advisory Council.
“The GDP growth rate is a manifestation in the right direction, and I think whatever we need to do we have to continue in that effort. I think the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan is on the pathway to delivering on this transition. Added to that is also the candid effort of the Government on the Ease of Doing Business which has been quite instrumental moving forward and improving the country’s business climate.”
In the same vein, the UNDP solicited for Government’s partnership in launching a nationwide youth employability and entrepreneurship programme in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Vice President also received a delegation from the Creative Youth Initiative Against Corruption (CYIAC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday.
The Vice President said the Federal Government will support the objectives of the organisation in its anti-corruption drive, educating children and youths so as to build a new Nigeria. The CYIAC was named the 2018 UN SDG Action Award winner in the Innovation category.
The delegation, led by Foluke Michael, thanked the Vice President, noting that the body will seek more collaboration with government, private sector and civil society organisations in its campaigns focused on the effects of corruption on democracy, social development, education, health, justice and economic growth.
