FG says centenary anniversary will provide 15,000 jobs to Nigerians

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim

The 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation anniversary will provide 15,000 jobs for Nigerians, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, said on Tuesday. Anyim made this known before the House of Representatives Committee on the proposed centenary celebration in Abuja.

On January 16, President Goodluck Jonathan had in a letter, requested for a convenient date to brief the House on the programme for the centenary celebration.

"With the support of and active participation of the private sector, the centenary celebration will provide 5,000 jobs directly and more than 10,000 jobs indirectly. It will also provide an economic boost, especially to the informal sector, the petty traders and the hospitality sector service providers.

"We must celebrate because our unity is the common symbol of our collective existence that has put the nation on the path of development and potential global ascendancy," he said.

Anyim said that the celebration would be multi-faceted and multi-location event that would boost corporate commercials. He said that the celebration would hold in the all state capitals, Abuja and some historic towns, cities, including other foreign cities.

The SGF explained that the project would be largely self-funding as it was a private sector initiative.
The centenary celebration is aimed at marking the 100 years of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria.

-----BONAVENTURE MELAH, DAILY TIMES