Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has
stressed the need for the introduction of entrepreneurship in all disciplines
in Nigerian institutions of learning.
Hamzat made the disclosure at the 2019 annual Faculty
lecture of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Lagos State University (LASU) at the
Campus, in Ojo on Wednesday.
The theme of the Lecture was ‘Addressing the
Unemployment Scourge in Nigeria: The Role of Agriculture and Technology.’
He said graduates after spending years in university
should be able to create jobs especially now that there is limited job
opportunity in the country.
In stressing the gains of agriculture globally, he
stated that since 1999, successive governments in Lagos have focused on
innovative programs to foster job creation and empower entrepreneurs in the
states.
Going further he said “Agriculture contributed 1.053
trillion (5.4%) of the United States GDP in 2017, 7.2% of the GDP of China in 2018, while in
Nigeria, it contributed 20.85% which clearly showed the size and status of our
economy
“Agriculture also enhances food security, creates
jobs in the rural areas, improve foreign exchange earnings and reduces
rural-urban migration.”
While stressing the need for investment s in Research
and development, as part of solution to address agricultural challenges, he
said Lagos has some other measures towards enhancing economic wellbeing of the
people, he disclosed “Lagos has the IBILE Micro Finance Bank that makes loans easily
accessible for SMEs; the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund also provide loans
to SMEs at 5% interest rate spread over four (4) years.”
He added “Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s led administration
will build on the successes achieved in these areas and continue to support SMEs
to grow the economy of Lagos and create jobs for our rapidly growing
population.
“We are ready to create an enabling environment that
will elevate the farmer in Ikorodu from a small-scale, one plot farmer to a job
creator, from a job creator to an exporter and from an exporter to a global
enterprise.
“We believe we can create enabling environment
through provision of vocational training, skill acquisition program,
micro-financing, investor funding and start-up capital,” Hamzat stated.
While reiterating Government readiness to complete
the first stage of the Imota Rice Mill in Ikorodu, by second quarter of 2020,
he said the mill when completed has capacity of 32 metric tons of rice per hour
and ability to provide 2.8 million bags of 50-killogram bags per annum,
generate over 1500 direct jobs, while 254 000 indirect jobs are expected to be
created in the value chain.
Talking about the role of Technology he said, “We
understand that Technology is the catalyst that will solve many of the problems
that population has put on our state, including unemployment. We intend to
harness its potential to achieve our focus and areas of development anchored on
the six pillars captured in the acronym T.H.E.M.E.S.”
Hamzat stated that the state has started the
metropolitan fibre optic infrastructure project that will build the fibre
conduit across the state with the total length of 3000km. “This is to build the
digital Lagos , and help citizens from all walks of life realize the benefits
of broadband connectivity that will enhance sustainable economic growth,
modernize education, health and other services delivery and improve quality of
life."
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