The Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has
called on the international community to partner with African nations on job
and wealth creation “as a means to ensuring continental and global peace and
security.
The Governor expressed these views in his address at the
Africa Industrialization Day at the United Nations Office in New York on
Tuesday. Dr Okowa said beyond creating awareness of the challenges of
industrialisation in Africa, the Forum should address the need for “firm
commitments to strengthen partnerships that will drive industrialisation in
Africa, create jobs and sustainable opportunities for youths, women and all
people to enjoy better social and economic well-being.”
The Africa Industrialization Day is celebrated on November
20 every year under the auspices of the United Nations Industrial Development
Organisation (UNIDO) to mobilise the commitment of the international community
to the industrialization of Africa. The theme for this year’s event was “SMEs
for Poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth.”
At a symposium to mark the event, Governor Okowa commended
“UNIDO’s passion and dedication to spurring Africa’s industrialization,”
pointing out that the occasion “is a reminder to all of us, of the need to
redirect Africa’s economic development position from being a global supplier of
raw materials and primary commodities to one with progressive value addition
through agro-processing, agro-industrialization and beneficiation of solid
minerals.”
Noting that “SMEs are engines for cost-effective employment generation,
social inclusion, equitable development and self-reliant industrialization
using local raw materials,” the Governor lamented that they have not flourished
in Africa due to “funding gaps, infrastructure deficit, energy problems and
poor governance structures.”
Dr. Okowa informed the gathering that Nigeria’s policies
through successive administrations have revolved around the growth and
development of SMEs as catalysts for economic development. According to him,
“the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry,
and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) are
frantically taking measures to enhance the performance and growth of youth- and
women-owned micro and small enterprises through a host of concessional
financing initiatives spanning equity financing, debt financing, loan
guarantees and grants.
“In Delta State where I am Governor, we have developed a
road map to engage our youths and women in productive enterprises and ensure
inclusive growth. Our strategic approach is a comprehensive programme of youth
training, development and empowerment in agricultural enterprises and
vocational skills, micro-credit to support small and medium scale enterprises,
and the creation of a conducive business and investment environment. Also we
are undertaking concerted measures for the integration of agricultural and
agro-industrial development based on our comparative-advantage commodities,
particularly cassava, oil palm and aquaculture.
He called for international support of the State’s Job and
Wealth Creation Scheme, which is in its six months of operation. “In
particular,” he said, “we would leverage financing and technical assistance
from international and global agencies, including the United Nations, to enhance
performance and sustainability of our Job and Wealth Creation Scheme.”
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa today met
with the Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),
Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, to explore ways of collaboration and
partnership with the UN body for the good and development of Delta State.
The brief meeting centred on how to bolster the State’s
primary health care system and improve investment in education. Professor
Osotimehin, a former Minister of Health in Nigeria, said he was impressed by
Governor Okowa’s “commitment and humility” and pledged the assistance of UNFPA
to enable the administration achieve its developmental aspirations.
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