On Friday, Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted that Nigeria’s human capital is its most treasured asset, and investing in its development is a vital economic strategy that aligns with the country’s moral values – one that shouldn’t be ignored.
The Vice President made this statement while unveiling the reconstituted National Economic Council’s Human Capital Development Steering Committee at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, highlighting the need to prioritize human capital development.
The Vice President stated that the federal government has reorganized the committee to synchronize with the nation’s new leadership and facilitate a coordinated approach, uniting key players in a shared mission.
Senator Shettima highlighted the unshakeable resolve of President Tinubu’s administration to strengthen the labour market, issuing a clarion call to action for all stakeholders to collaborate and propel sustainable growth.
Through his speech, “The Burden of Trust in Leadership Transition,” the VP entrusted the new committee with the critical mission of making a positive impact in three core areas: health and nutrition, education, and labor force participation, to drive meaningful change.
He noted that every step they took towards their commitment to the nation came with consequences, and today was no different, as their choices continued to shape the country’s future.
“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 sets out to accomplish—the addition of 24 million healthy, educated, and productive Nigerians to our expanding population by 2030,” VP Shettima stated, declaring that “every Nigerian must thrive under the new administration’s visionary agenda.
“Our human capital remains our greatest asset, and investing in its development is not only a moral responsibility but also an economic necessity,” he added.
He reminded them that their commitment to the nation was a continuous cycle of choice and consequence, and the current day presented another opportunity to shape the future through their decisions.
“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,” Shettima added.
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He noted that the Tinubu administration is committed to prioritising preventative care, reducing child mortality and stunting, tackling malnutrition, and improving maternal health.
The Vice President further said it is imperative to ensure access to quality schooling for every Nigerian child, noting that education is 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 participate in ensuring that every child has access to quality schooling,” he affirmed.
On his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, lauded the move, saying, “It is extremely gratifying that the Vice President has deemed it fit to inaugurate this very important group.
“For many years, a lot of Nigerians have been yearning for the resuscitation of this group, having seen the modest contribution it made in the previous administration,” he added.
Speaker Tajudeen affirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to legislative collaboration, noting that “our take in the House of Representatives and, by extension, the National Assembly is to say we would be a worthy collaborator legislatively.
“Coincidentally, most of the sectors captured under this particular group are also embedded in our legislative agenda and the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he further noted.
In addition, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Governor of Kwara State and head of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), stated that their attendance at the event demonstrates the governors’ commitment to enhancing human capital.
Professor Pate stressed that integrating various human capital development programs, particularly in education, healthcare, and social protection, is crucial to enhance the quality of life for citizens. He hammered on the need for cascading these initiatives down to the local government level to make a meaningful impact.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Pate, reiterated the initiative’s importance, pointing out that a lack of direction can lead to aimless drifting, and any road can become a path to nowhere.