Jonathan: Human Capital Development Is Key To This Administration
As MDGS/TAF Target 370 Women For Vocational Development
President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday said his administration has articulated and is vigorously implementing various projects and programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving the living standards of the citizen saying human capital development is a major priority of his Transformation Agenda.
The President disclosed this yesterday at the official launching the MDGs/TAF M-empower project which is targeted at reducing the social and economic living condition of people living with albinism in the country thus attaining the MDGs by 2015.
Represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqqayat Rufai, he noted that the initiative was a unique projects established by his administration to eradicate poverty and create wealth through vocational skills training and other forms of economic empowerment.
Jonathan stated that, “the MDGs represent broadly shared ideals by the International Community to fight hunger, poverty, disease, gender inequality and lack of basic infrastructure”
“Here at home, we have diligently pursued the MDGs because they fit in perfectly with our own vision of practical national development. As enshrined in the 1999 constitution, and underscored in our Transformation Agenda, the security and welfare of our people is the primary purpose of our administration”. He said.
The president added, “Human capital development is a major priority of our Transformation Agenda and hence, we recognise that skilled human resources will enhance our ability to compete effectively and globally”.
He however commended the effort of the founder of Albino foundation, Jack Epelle for persistently pursuing the mobilization of the larger society about Albinism.
Also, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbenoel who was represented by Director, MDGs, Mr. Gillis Harry said the project was launched due to the fact that significant number of people with albinism live below poverty line and have the lowest literacy access rate in the country as a result of their peculiar status of being physically and psychologically disadvantaged in comparison to other members of the society.
She noted that it is expected that at the completion of the project, a total of 370 Nigerians including women and youth would have been empowered with requisite entrepreneurial and vocational knowledge to enhance in productive ventures.
She explained further that ten women would be picked from each state of the federation and the federal capital territory, which included five albinos and 5 non-albinos from each state.
Earlier, former President Sheu Shagari represented by Second Republic Senate president, Senator Wayas said he was kept abreast of all the activities and progress made in focal areas which includes the provision of access to quality healthcare, education and social advocacy and economic development for persons living with albinism in Nigeria.
He commended the effort of the Senior Special Adviser to the president on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbenoel on the success of the MASPRO project of 2012 as the project was lauded both nationally and internationally.
Shagari urged the office of the MDG for consolidating on the success achieved through the 2012 project by initiating the second share as it is far more encompassing.
“I implore you to further explore the possibility of increasing the number of beneficiaries from 370 persons this year to at least 1000 persons by next year”.
The former president also urged the MDGs office not to render the project a still-born adding that this could be assured through the prompt release of funds that has been earmarked for the project.
He also advised the CEO and the management of the foundation of Albino to ensure the highest degree of accountability in the utilization of the funds for the projects.
