FG to spend N100bn on human capital development

Dapo Falade, Ado-Ekiti - 31.03.2008

THE Federal Government has disclosed its readiness to spend N100 billion out of the debt relief gains in the 2008 budget on human capital development in order to engender national regeneration and economic restoration.

President Umaru Yar’Adua made the disclosure at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, during the official opening and swearing-in ceremony of the 2008 Batch ‘A’ members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed in the state.

In an address delivered on his behalf by the state governor, Mr. Segun Oni, President Yar’Adua said the measure was not only targetted at ensuring human development, but also to put in the right course, the seven-point agenda of his government.

In the address delivered by the state Permanent Secretary, General Administration, Pastor Wale Bello, Yar’Adua pointed out that for Vision 2020 to be attainable, the youth had a critical role to play and called on them to use their talents for the development of the country.

Pleading with governments at all levels and the organised private sector (OPS) to partner with the Federal Government to boost the NYSC scheme to enable corps members maximise their potentials, the President urged the corps members to see themselves as veritable agents of change.

“The NYSC programme was designed to equip you physically, psychologically and socially for the onerous challenge of national integration and nation building.This is an opportunity for you to contribute your own quota and I believe this will be done with resoluteness, dedication and loyalty to your fatherland, he said.