The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu has assured Nigerians that no worker would be sacked, stressing that the government was eager of creating more jobs for the people.

Wogu who made government's position known at the 8th National Labour Relations Summit and Fellowship Award held at the Michael Imodu National Labour Studies (MINILS) Ilorin, Kwara State, assured that no worker will be sacked.

He said the Federal Government has set up a job creation committee that would commence work in the next two weeks, noting that the committee would focus mainly on how to create more jobs in all the sectors of the economy.

According to Wogu, the Federal Government has the determination to create more jobs as against the advice by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Lamido Sanusi, that it should reduce its workforce

He emphasized that employment creation was central to the transformation agenda of the present administration, adding that more plans on job creation would be revealed in the next couple of weeks.

"This would go a long way in accelerating the socio-economic growth of the economy. I will like to assure you that the Federal Government is desirous of creating more jobs," he stated.

The Minister explained that his Ministry was following up closely on recommendations from past year's national jobs summit and fresh insights from its own independent work for the purpose of higher rate of employment.

Assuring the two labour centers of government plans to build human capacity needs in the country, he said "We are looking to enhance capacity at various skills development and job centres, as well as at the National Electronic Labour Exchange system".

"Earlier this year, the Ministry initiated a process for mass recruitment of graduates through the SURE-P programme. We are seeking ways of collaborating with captains of industry and corporate bodies in jointly addressing the problem of youth unemployment", he added.

Also, the Chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, while assuring Nigerians of how Federal Government support would boost the nation's social protection schemes stressed that within the social protection framework, the NSITF would actively participate in various initiatives and collaborations with stakeholders' groups in the country to make the policy a reality in Nigeria.

Olejeme who was represented by the President of the Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA), Chief Richard Uche, bagged an award of fellow of the institute at the summit.

She pointed out that achieving the social protection schemes would complement the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan through improving and promoting social equity and sustainable growth at human development index necessary to stimulate more employment in all sectors of the economy.

According to her, the current waves of global economic shocks had underscored the need for countries to reinvent the mechanisms and phenomena for social protection, equitable development and balanced growth.

"Government social protection policies and programmes referred to initiatives that deliberately sought to protect people and groups against risk and vulnerability, mitigate the impacts of shocks on livelihoods and support people who suffer from chronic incapacities to secure basic livelihoods. And Nigeria cannot then afford to take a back seat in policy to carry out this initiative", she said

She explained that the Federal Government's commitment to extend social protection coverage to all Nigerian workers is based on the ILO 1994 Philadelphia Declaration.

"And no one needs to be convinced further of Mr. President's concerns and commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers through social protection actions. These actions of Mr. President have portrayed his commitment in ensuring that the scheme succeeds and that it serves Nigerian workers in the best way possible," she said.

She however reiterated government's determination to comply with the specific provisions of Articles 22, 23 and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which states that 'Everyone as a member of society, has right to social security" and "Everyone has the right top work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment".

The Managing Director of NSITF, Alhaji Munir Abubakar said the Federal Government social protection policies are aimed at a zero-tolerance on workplace accidents, injuries and fatalities, and was determined to collaborate with all social partners and other stakeholders to guarantee a cleaner, safer and heather work environment to all Nigerian workers.

"The principle of social protection has already been ingrained as part of the government's resolve to implement the ECS which is already on course", he added.

He called on Nigerians to join the Federal Government in the crusade for strategic social security programmes in the country.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, who was represented by the Vice President, Comrade Isa Aremu explained that the Congress has appropriately responded to the CBN Governor on the recommendation for a reduction by 50 per cent of the workforce.

The President General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), comrade Peter Esele, explained that the country would develop economically if government revives real sector of the economy, manufacturing, transportation, textile, food drinks and beverages and other key sectors.

He argued that instead of retrenching workers, the nation rather need to employ more workers, and advised that government should improve labour force to achieve more for the country with intervention fund.

"As at November 28, 2012, when I checked the staff strength of the Central Bank of Nigeria, it stood at 6,015 employees, but when Governor Lamido Sanusi came on board in June 2009, the staff strength of the CBN was 5,022 people. And so if we are talking about reducing the cost of governance, within three years he has employed about 1,000 people instead of pruning down", he said.