Governors from the six states in the North Central zone of the country, converged in Lafia, Nasarawa State to brainstorm on how to scale down the rising poverty rate, unemployment, insecurity and other ills bedeviling the area.
The conference was aimed at increasing human capital investments as a vehicle for poverty reduction and increased life expectancy.
It focused on three thematic areas: “health and nutrition, education and labour force participation.”
The Nigerian human capital development programme was launched by the federal government in 2018 to spur sustainable growth of the nation’s economy and improve life expectancy of its citizens.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, who declared the two-day conference open through his deputy, Mr Emmanuel Akanbe, said the gesture provided the opportunity for the zone to enhance its human capital as a veritable tool for wealth creation.
He said the state government remains committed to the fight against poverty, adding that it would welcome any opportunity to further its drive to totally eradicate the menace.
He said, “This conference is in line with the objectives of the National Economic Council to promote investment opportunities and foster synergy as well as developing partnerships between governments and the regions being the critical actors in the socioeconomic development of the country.
“I have no doubt that the conference will offer us the opportunity to know the challenges associated with human capital development and proffer workable solutions with a view to exploring business opportunities and form investment partnerships. So, I urge all of us to take the conference very seriously for the good of our respective states and Nigeria, our country.”
Also, the governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello who was represented by his deputy, Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, called for joint effort by the governments of the zone in developing their human capital for utmost performance through the programme.
He said Niger State has since keyed into the initiative by putting mechanisms in place to drive the process.
He called on the participants to fine tune areas such as nutrition and education for improved funding for the general wellbeing of the people.
He commended the Nasarawa state for providing an enabling environment for the success of the conference.
On her part, the North Central regional consultant on Human Capital Development, Dr. Victoria Daaor, said the conference would be participatory to enable attendees contribute to the discussion in order to address the numerous challenges confronting residents of the region.
In her welcome address, the senior special assistant to Governor Sule on human capital development, Habiba Balarabe-Suleiman, expressed gratitude to the North Central governors and other stakeholders from the region for being present at the occasion despite their tight schedules.
She said, “Hopefully, this regional conference will ask questions that need to be asked and provide answers that will yield results towards improving the lives of even the most vulnerable persons in the region and the country at large. While hoping we all have peaceful and result oriented deliberations, I am glad and honored to welcome you to Nasarawa State, the Home of Solid Minerals.”
