The federal government, on Thursday, reiterated its commitment to actively engage the private sector to ignite a job boom aimed at positioning Nigeria as an innovation hub.

This is contained in a statement by Gabriel Emameh, special adviser (media) to the minister of state for labour and employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, in Abuja on Thursday.

The minister made the commitment when she received representatives from the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in her office.

According to Mr Emameh, the NECA team was in the minister’s office to discuss ways of collaborating in training, skills development and social relationships between the government, organised labour and the private sector.

Ms Onyejeocha, while welcoming the idea of collaboration between the ministry and NECA, noted NECA’s key role in labour and employment relations policy formulation, and implementation.

She stressed the need for synergy between the government and private sector with a view to raising the bar in reducing unemployment in the country.

According to her, the federal government is committed to taking the youths out of the street, and I am more concerned about how we can take people out of the street through impactful training.

“We need to look out for people who are willing to be employed and skilled. I charge you to look at the areas where we can achieve these goals because I want a situation where we can work in synergy

“I also want to thank you for your offer of collaboration and capacity building. I have keyed into the mission and vision of NECA.

“And this is because I have always seen myself as every Nigerian out there, and I feel what they pass through. We should all be on the same page.

“We must create an environment where everyone fits in. We must work very hard to make sure that we create employment for the unemployed. We will work with you 100 per cent because we are partners in progress”.

The minister, who also spoke about the safety of workers, said that the ministry would go tough on erring factory operators in the country.

“We are going to review the operations of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department of the Ministry of Labour and Employment because we must have a template. This is one area I want you to come into, too.

“We will have to look into what some people are raising as factory, where Nigerian workers are being exposed to all forms of danger.

“Not every structure should be called or used as factory. We are not only going to deal with employment, but the environment where Nigerian workers are employed.

“Factories should have a physician, convenience and restaurants because every Nigerian worker has a right to life. We must always put into consideration the employees’ safety wherever they are employed,” she added.

Ms Onyejeocha further said that it was time to think outside the box and engage social partners that would help the federal government succeed.

She added that the unemployment market was huge and the ministry would not take it for granted.

Earlier, Adewale Oyerinde, director general, NECA, who led the delegation, said that the visit was informed by their shared concerns with organised labour and the ministry, adding that it was crucial to offer NECA’s unique perspective.

According to him, we are here because we share some interest with organised labour, and we felt it is very important to share our perspective with you.

“We believe that we all should operate within the confines of the law that guides Nigerian workers. We also believe in social dialogue because it helps in coming to an agreement with our social partners.

“We aimed at pulling social partners together, private sector conversation on how we can maximise our human resources in terms of job creation, how to maintain industrial peace, and to deepen employees’ education,” he said.

He said that the private sector was the strongest body the government should rely on for job creation issues, adding that NECA “is ready to help government to provide solutions to labour issues.”

(NAN)