FG Unveils Plan To Create 500,000 Jobs As Ajaokuta Rolling Mill Nears Completion

President Bola Tinubu has declared with the hitherto abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex now nearing completion, the project would have the capacity to employ 500,000 Nigerians once designated as a free trade zone.

The president further promised to fully harness the potential of the infrastructure once it was completed, as it would boost Nigeria’s foreign direct investment and provide avenue for the creation of the much-needed conducive business environment for all sectors to thrive.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President, made this known yesterday, at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

The governorship poll in the state is slated for November 11.

Addressing a mammoth crowd in Lokoja, Shettima also noted that the President remained committed to completing the constructions of the River Niger, the Kabba-Lokoja and the Abuja-Lokoja roads.

According to the vice president, Tinubu remains a man of many ideas who was determined to reposition the nation in its rightful place, especially as it borders on restructuring and stimulating the Nigerian economy.

“Given Mr. President’s commitment to the development of Kogi State and indeed the entirety of Nigeria, Kogi in particular being a confluence state, cannot afford to have a governor who is hostile to the center.

“We must be partners in progress and work hand in hand to develop this great nation,” Shettima said.He further hinted about plans by the Tinubu’s administration to make the Itakpe crop processing project a dream come true, just as he promised jobs and affordable education under the present government.” He said.

Stressing that the welfare of the citizenry would never be willfully compromised, the vice president called on Kogi citizens to come out en masse on November 11, to vote for the candidate of the APC, Ahmed Usman Ododo, in order to consolidate on the achievements of the APC government in the state.

He added that the natural endowments of Kogi State would be harnessed for the development of the state and the nation at large, adding that Tinubu had further given his nod for the rehabilitation of Obajana-Okene road in Kogi State.

• Yusuf Oketola