,,,,,Onyejeocha Advocates Dialogue, Skill Development for National Progress.
By Taiwo Niyi in Ilorin.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has underscored the critical role of dialogue and skill development in fostering industrial harmony and driving national progress.
She stated this on Tuesday at the 10th National Labour Summit and Award Ceremony, organized by the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Onyejeocha praised the institute for its dedication to promoting dialogue and industrial peace. She described MINILS as essential to the government’s efforts to realize its Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This summit perfectly aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at empowering citizens and strengthening the economy,” Onyejeocha said.
According to her,the administration focuses on equipping Nigerians, particularly the youth, with skills in emerging sectors like digital technology, renewable energy, and clean energy.
In his remarks, MINILS Director-General,Comrade Issa Aremu, called the summit a vital platform for evaluating the impact of Tinubu’s reform agenda on job creation, wage improvements, and industrial harmony.
“Our mission is to align labour education with the Renewed Hope reforms by addressing labour market challenges, promoting social justice, and boosting industrial productivity for sustainable national development,” Aremu explained.
He revealed that MINILS surpassed its 2024 ministerial targets, training over 3,500 workers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Mrs. Olaide Ajiboye, Chairperson of the Labour Summit Central Planning Committee and Director/Head of the Social Protection Department at MINILS, described the event as an essential forum for collaboration and tackling modern labour market challenges.
The Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa, Oba Adeleke Agunbiade Oke, commended MINILS for its contributions to labour relations in Nigeria and urged workers to embrace dialogue over conflict.
“Nigerian workers must prioritize peaceful dispute resolution and contribute meaningfully to national growth and development,” Oba Agunbiade advised.
The summit provided a platform for stakeholders to strategize on addressing industrial challenges and aligning the labour market with national development goals.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
