Politics
THE Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has underlined the importance of investing in Nigeria’s greatest asset – human capital.
Pate said this on Tuesday in Abuja, at the Barewa Old Boys’ Association Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony.
The minister highlighted that the health, education, and social well-being of the population should be at the forefront of all governance and policy actions.
Recognizing the need for leadership and elite consensus, he emphasised the priority of investing in basic health and education, particularly for adolescent girls, women and children.
He said investment in human capital would unlock the inherent potential of the country’s population and propel the nation towards a brighter and more prosperous future, as envisioned in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
To manifest President Tinubu’s vision for a prosperous Nigeria, he underscored the need to address the pressing challenges in healthcare and education.
He called on subnational leaders, especially governors in the norther part, to refocus their efforts on prioritizing investments in basic health and education for their populations.
He identified several key areas that required immediate attention.
He stressed the importance of tackling high maternal, infant, and child mortality rates, as well as controlling vaccine-preventable diseases.
Additionally, he highlighted the need to reduce the burden of diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, hypertension, diabetes, strokes, and cancers through prevention and treatment measures.
He also underscored the importance of caring for the elderly population and empowering the girl child and women economically, socially, and politically.
“Investing in the youth was also identified as a crucial aspect of Nigeria’s development,” he said.
He underlined the need to provide quality jobs with career progression, harnessing the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that the boy child received a well-rounded education, enabling them to grow into responsible adults.
“By investing in the youth and helping them transition into the labour market, Nigeria can tap into their potentials and contribute to the nation’s growth,” he said.
He acknowledged that achieving these goals would require improved governance, collaboration across governments and sectors, stronger institutions, enhanced citizen focus, reduced wastage, and corruption, as well as improved and stable macroeconomic management.
(NAN)
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-Nov. 28, 2023 @ 15:32 GMT |
Tags: Barewa Old Boys’ Association Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate
