By Chinonyerem Igwe, Abuja
At the just concluded National Industrial Manpower Summit held at the Banquet Hall of State House, which attracted business men and women , politicians, industrialists and other key players in the economy converged to deliberate on ways to make Nigeria economy attractive to investors both within and outside the country.
Among the dignitaries who showed interest to be part of the Summit was the tradition ruler of Upatta Kingdom in Ahaoda East LGA of River State, His Majesty King Felix. E. Otuwarikpo, the Eze Upatta 111/Nya Kingdom.
The traditional ruler, who retired as Director of Corporate Affairs of Industrial Training Fund, not quite long ago, deemed it necessary to grace the Summit and to make his own valid contribution as a key players in the employment industry.
Answering questions from newsmen, King Felix, said in his Kingdom, the community has done so many things to ensure that the sons and daughters of Upata Kingdom are equipped on one skill or the other to enable them stand on their own and become useful youths to the community, to the State and the Nation at large, as well be employers of labour too.
He said,” The Upata Kingdom has already mapped skills and useful ventures to make the youth gainfully employed to become self reliant and Independent.”
According to him, the Community was already in partnership with Industrial Training Fund and other relevant agencies to train the youth to acquire various skills in various fields. In his words,” We are already in close partnership with ITF to design curricular to train the sons and daughters of Upatta Kingdom “
HRM, Eze Felix Otuwarikpo, however was not pleased with Summit agenda because the area of Blue Economy was not taken care of. He opined that as a developing economy, area of Blue Economy that could enhance and boost economy of the nation and make jobs available for the teeming youths of the country.He cited country like Singapore that is growing it economy through informal skills to increase its GDP He said, Nigeria economy cannot grow with over emphasis on skill acquizaition and wondered why Nigeria has not tapped on other skill blue economy that could drive the economy like Singapore He urged the Stakeholders, the Government, Industrialists and those concerned to put on their thinking cap and come out modelities and practical ideas that will drive the economy forward.
Eze Otuwarikpo, wrapped up by saying ” Government should de- emphasis on this unnecessary publicity on available skills and you will discover that in 48 hours, most of the discussions will be difused . Just like the DG of ITF said, it does not add value to the economy, but if we put little action a summit like this Nigeria will be a great country “, he concluded.
