The Ogun State Government has called on stakeholders to harness all forces towards fighting the scourge of unemployment which is capable of breeding poverty and other social vices. 

This was disclosed by the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya when he received the Local Organising Committee of the maiden edition of Ogun State Employment Conference, led by its Chairman and Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, in his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. 

Onasanya, who lamented that unemployment stifles innovation and economic progress, described employment generation as a critical driver of the prosperity of any nation, pointing out that the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has been a promoter of job creation since he assumed office. 

He said the Ogun State Government created a Job Portal in 2019 which enabled many youths to link up with various employers beyond the borders of the State. 

According to him, every programme of this administration has employment generation at the background given the significance of letter 'Y' which stands for Youth Empowerment in the ISEYA Mantra of the Abiodun led government.

The Head of Service, noted that the success of the maiden edition of the Employment Conference held between 11th and 12th October 2023 was second to none, just as he added that the initiative was a right step in the right direction to address the gnash of unemployment.

Admonishing the Committee to work towards bridging the gaps between the organized private sector and unemployed youths, Onasanya emphasized that the recommendations which emanated from the conference should be followed to the letter. 

"Ogun is blessed with both human and natural resources. Our State is not just the Gateway State but the industrial capital of Nigeria and the investment destination of choice. 

"Your team has a role to play in bringing on board all stakeholders  to bridge the gap between unemployment and our rich resources especially  putting the State on a sound footing.

"You can actually do this by widening the horizon on the Employment Conference and taking it to the private sector with strong networking at the center of your plan. 

"Be rest assured that we have a Governor who is a promoter of employment generation at the background. If you look at the ISEYA Mantra design of this administration.

"Ogun is in an era where our people are liberated through solid employment generation programmes," he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the LOC, Ogun State Employment Conference, Dr. Olu.Ola.Aikulola, said the committee came up with a report based on the recommendations of the well-engaging conference which was organized in conjunction with German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). 

He said efforts were in top-gear to organise a Job Fair as an appropriate follow up to the Employment Conference. The Job  Fair  would be hybrid in nature, pointing out it would be an avenue to  bring together  stakeholders with capacity to employ as well as prospective  employees who will also be trained freely on soft skills that will accentuate their employability.