The Federal Government has launched the Nigerian Schools Productivity Assessment Programme, (SPAP), for Secondary Schools in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Accordingly, the National Productivity Centre is working in partnership with a private organization named ‘Industrial Awakening’ on the project.
The launching, which is also expected to be done in Secondary Schools across the 36 states of the federation, is aimed at fostering a culture of productivity among students across the nation, to trigger the Industrial awakening of Nigeria.
The Minister, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Godfrey Uche Nnaji, who launched the programme at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture, Area 10, Garki I District, Abuja, said it is a crucial step forward towards securing the future prosperity of the country.
The Minister, who was represented at the event by Dr. Olugbenga Fadipe, a Research Scientist and a Pharmaceutical Chemist in the Ministry applauded the effort of the organizers of the SPAP.
According to him, it is a demonstration of the Ministry’s resolve to nurture and harness the enormous potentials of the youthful population and set a new benchmark for national productivity.
His words: “I urge you to seamlessly key into the Ministry’s shift of the Nigerian economy from a resource based to knowledge driven economy. We are ready to partner with all stakeholders that recognize and are willing to use innovation, science and technology as a critical tool to address prevailing challenges and create enormous opportunity for national development and prosperity.”
The Minister added, “already, the Ministry has initiated a number of programmes that seek to promote the learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, (STEM), such as the establishment of JETS Club in schools across the country.”
In his remarks, Professor Tunji John Asaolu, Deputy Secretary-General, African Affairs and Special Envoy to the African-Union’s International Society of Diplomats, described the SPAP programme’s commitment to grooming a new generation of productivity –oriented Nigerians as timely; saying, it aligns with the spirit of Agenda 2063, which envisions an Africa where its youths are at the forefront of driving economic growth, social progress and technological advancement.
“By investing in our youth from early age, instilling in them the values of productivity, creativity and entrepreneurship, we are not only shaping the future of Nigeria, but also contributing to realization of the pan-African dream of a dynamic and prosperous continent,” he said.
On his part, the Director General, National Productivity Centre, Dr. Nasir Olaitan Raji-Mustapha, stated that Nigeria needs productivity now more than ever before and the National Productivity Centre is ready to provide solutions and support to individual and organizational productivity problems.
“This auspicious occasion of the unveiling of the Schools Productivity Assessment Programme, (SPA), was designed to coincide with the celebration of the World Productivity Day, 2024. It has become a continuous call and desire for us to promote productivity across the nation. This event, provides for us, at Productivity House, an opportunity to urge Nigerians, to embrace productivity as it is the only solution to our productivity and development challenges,” he stressed.
Also speaking at the occasion, Director, FCT Youth Development Department, in the Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Asabe Umar Precious, emphasised the critical role that children and youth play in shaping the future of a nation; stating that, for any meaningful and sustainable change to occur, it must start with the younger generation.
She expressed delight that teachers are not neglected in this timely initiative.
Her words: “The effectiveness of national efforts to improve productivity depends largely on the extent to which the most important social forces can be combined and integrated.”
In his reaction, the programme convener and the Mission’s Director, ‘Industrial Awakening’, Mr. David Ibrahim, expressed delight that his idea that took 20 years to incubate, has finally become a reality.
“My team is proud to be collaborating with the National Productivity Centre, aiming to raise awareness and extend the programme’s reach to all 36 states of the federation. This initiative is designed to create a foundation for a productive future by engaging students and educators in meaningful and practical productivity exercises,” he said.
