STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
…VP Shettima Tasks Members On Education, Jobs, Healthcare Delivery*
…Says investing in human capital, an economic necessity
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the revamped National Economic Council (NEC) Human Capital Development (HCD) Steering Committee, saying the federal government reconstituted the committee to reflect the new leadership of the nation and bring all stakeholders together.
Senator Shettima also noted the determination of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration to bolster labour force participation, even as he issued a fervent call to action.
Delivering his speech titled, “The Burden of Trust in Leadership Transition,” the VP tasked the new committee with the solemn responsibility of delivering tangible progress on the three core pillars of health and nutrition, education, and labour force participation.
He said each phase of their obligation to serve the nation reminded them of the impacts of their choices, pointing out that the current day was no exception.
“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.
Aligning the HCD programme’s objectives with President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, including eradicating poverty and creating jobs, the Vice President said that “every Nigerian must thrive” for the country to realize its true potential.
“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.
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.
Also, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said their presence at the event signified the governors’ commitment to human capital development.