Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasised on Friday that President Bola Tinubu’s administration prioritised health, education, and human capital development.

Mr Shettima spoke at the inauguration of the revamped National Economic Council (NEC) Human Capital Development (HCD) Steering Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The vice president explained that the federal government reconstituted the committee to reflect the nation’s new leadership and unite all stakeholders.

Mr Shettima noted that education was a catalyst for unlocking opportunities and fostering a skilled workforce capable of thriving in the 21st-century economy.

” The HCD programme invites each of us to ensure that every child has access to quality schooling,” he affirmed.

He noted Mr Tinubu’s administration’s determination to bolster labour force participation, even as he issued a fervent call to action.

In his speech, “The Burden of Trust in Leadership Transition,” Mr Shettima tasked the new committee with delivering tangible progress on the three core pillars of health, nutrition, education, and labour force participation.

He said each phase of their obligation to serve the nation reminded them of the impacts of their choices, and the current day was no exception.

” This is the future we seek, a future where every Nigerian has the opportunity to fulfil their dreams and contribute to the prosperity of our nation.

” I believe that this alignment of interests signals the approval of what HCD set out to accomplish—the addition of 24 million healthy, educated, and productive Nigerians to our expanding population by 2030,” said the vice president.

He declared that every Nigerian must thrive under the new administration’s visionary agenda.

Mr Shettima aligned the HCD programme’s objectives with Mr Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, including eradicating poverty and creating jobs.

” We are going to rely on defined frameworks and data to pursue investment in healthcare systems that are resilient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of our citizens.

“We are committed to prioritising preventive care, reducing child mortality, stunting, tackling malnutrition and improving maternal health,” he said.

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, lauded the move, saying, “It is extremely gratifying that the vice president has deemed it fit to inaugurate this very important group.”

Mr Tajudeen affirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to legislative collaboration.

He said, ”Our take in the House of Representatives and, by extension, the National Assembly is to say we would be worthy collaborators legislatively.”

Also, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara said the governors’ presence at the event signified their commitment to human capital development.

(NAN)