CBN urges FG to create more jobs

The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, has urged the private sector to support the Federal Government’s efforts
at in creating jobs and stimulating growth of the Nigerian economy.

The CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac
Okorafor, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja said that
Emefiele made the call at the Blueband Factory launch organised by the
Unilever in Agbara, Ogun State.

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Emefiele also pledged the CBN’s continued support for companies
committed to the objective of job-creation.

He said that there were many Nigerian youths whose potential could be
harnessed to strengthen the industrial base of the country.

The CBN governor recalled the practice in time past when companies
tested and offered jobs to the brightest among fresh graduates of
different disciplines before they proceeded for their national youth
service.

He said that a vast number of Nigerian youths were hardworking and
willing to contribute their quota to the development of the country.

The CBN governor also commended the management of Unilever Nigeria Plc for heeding the bank’s call to return to Nigeria and build a world class plant after the foreign exchange restrictions on some 41 items including margarine.

Emefiele said the policies of the apex bank and its aggressive
intervention in the inter-bank foreign exchange market management had ensured transparency in the foreign exchange market.

With a population estimated at about 180 million people, the CBN
governor said Nigeria was a ready market for investors and was indeed
ready and open for business.

He, therefore, reiterated his call to investors to take advantage of
the opportunities in Nigeria by bringing more investments into the
country.

Emefiele, however, cautioned that Nigeria, with the population growing
at an average of three per cent per annum, had to focus on growth and
prosperity if it is to transform its population into assets.

“We must plan to feed our growing population so it does not become a
disadvantage,” he said.

Earlier, the Executive Vice President of Unilever Ghana and Nigeria,
Mr Yaw Nsarkoh lauded the CBN for supporting the company to achieve
its goal of setting up the plant in Nigeria and boosting capacity in
Africa.

While urging investors to disregard negative stories about Nigeria,
Nsarkoh noted that businesses must be part of the solution to thriving
communities.

According to Okorafor, the high point of the event was an inspection
of the new Blueband factory by the CBN governor and other guests.