FG committed to developing diligent workforce to grow economy-Keyamo
…NIMASA already taking lead
…Nigerian youths are ready, says Abati
The Federal Government has said that it is committed to developing a diligent workforce as part of efforts to boost productivity and ultimately grow Nigeria’s economy.
Minister of state for Labour and Employment, Festus Kayamo, gave this assurance at the public presentation of a book in Lagos Wednesday entitled: The Diligent Worker, written by a staff of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs. Constance Evil Omagbemi. The Minister said that developing a diligent workforce was at the core of the nation’s economic growth and development.
Represented by the Director in charge of Labour Services of the Ministry and the regional Director for the south, Mrs. Mie Badejo, Keyamo said the title of the book speaks to what the ministry is doing towards ensuring a healthy, diligent and committed workforce, which Nigeria urgently needs to grow her economy.
“The development of a diligent workforce will continue to be at the core of the ideals, mission and vision of the Ministry and we will soon invite NIMASA to come and see that we are constantly bridging the gap in work place ethics. The Ministry will also adopt the principles of this book towards enhancing diligence at the workplace”, the Minister also assured.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of NIMASA in charge of Labour and Cabotage Services, Engr. Victor Ochei, who was the chief host of the event, noted that developing a diligent workforce would significantly help in addressing the current economic quagmire not only in Nigeria, but also across the globe.
Engr. Ochei said the Dr. Bashir Jamoh-led management of NIMASA is leaving no stone unturned in its human capacity development initiative, which has culminated in the writing of the book by a member of staff of the agency.
The ED, who took out time to pour encomiums on the author, who happens to work in his department, said Omagbami stands out as a diligent worker, having won the NIMASA employee of the year 2019, which emerges after vigorous exercise.
“The author’s late father happened to be my boss when he was the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly. I met her in NIMASA when I was appointed as Executive Director in 2020 and ever since, she has impressed me as a ‘fantastically’ diligent worker and little wonder she has been able to put this book together in such a wonderful manner”, the ED said.
The book reviewed by former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati is made up of 12 chapters with a total of 180 pages, with each of the chapters focusing on different issues on the need for a worker should be diligent, developing and working on one’s personal vision, having the right focus and always trusting in God.
Other issues discussed in the book include the need for one to avoid distraction, need to network, working hard and smart, being authentic, original and creative, as well as the need for every worker to make out time to rest and relax, warning that no worker should ever think that he or she is irreplaceable.
The former presidential spokesman noted that by writing such a book, the Nigerian youths as exemplified by Omagbemi are simply saying they are ready to take the mantle and play their role while expecting the older generations to be exemplary.
In a brief interview, the author, who has just floated a Non –Governmental Organisation NGO called Diligent Generation Foundation, which focuses on educating Nigerian children in primary school on the need for one to be diligent, said she has a very strong allergy for mediocrity.
A high point of the event was the official presentation of the book by Chief Paul John Odomoh.