Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, a Kogi delegate at the ongoing National Conference, has urged the Federal Government to commence a true dredging of the River Niger in order to build Ajaokuta and Lokoja ports.
Ibrahim, who made the plea in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, said that a port in Ajaokuta would facilitate movement of the company’s raw materials and the finished products.
She said that the burden would also be less on the roads, adding that water transportation transcended the entire nation.
Ibrahim, who was a former Auditor-General in Kogi, said it had become imperative to have a seaport in Ajaokuta, pointing out that “no nation achieved industrialisation without its steel industry’’.
She said that if government could bring the construction of Ajaokuta Steel Complex to completion, a lot would be achieved toward the industrialisation of the nation.
According to her, it is a threat to the industrialised nations for any developing country to come up with its steel industry.
Ibrahim, who also is the Chairman of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), explained that the Ajaokuta Steel Complex alone could generate over 10,000 jobs for the youths.
She suggested both short and long term plans for youths that went through tertiary institutions and those that did not go to school.
Ibrahim, who was also a former President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), said that the Federal Ministry of Education should incorporate Entrepreneurship Development in the training curriculum of all educational institutions.
“Professional bodies keen on creating jobs should equally look at their syllabus and create a practical entrepreneurship programme within their training programme.
“They can have a practical session that can make the professionals viable and not dependent on government for jobs.
“Apart from the government preparing short and long term plans for assisting the youth, we (private sector) should equally be involved in assisting the youths”. she added
My Governor Yahaya Bello continue your Good work in Kogi State. God that put you there will fight for you and defend you.
The Lord is your strength. keep doing the right and avoid distractions .
Your comment…governor YAHAYA bello continue your good government. no wahalla