The spokesperson of the development agency of the British High Commission in Nigeria, David Smith, in a response to PREMIUM TIMES’ inquiry said the jobs would be created through UK government’s LINKS programme, an initiative to “power economic growth in northern Nigeria.’

The economy of northern Nigeria, particularly the north east region, is currently facing serious development pressures consequent upon ravaging insurgent activities by religious extremists, Boko Haram.

Apart from the devastation of physical infrastructure and economy in the region, millions of citizens, including women and children, have been forced to join the growing population of internally displaced persons as a result of herdsmen and farmers conflict.

Prior to her visit to Nigeria last week, UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, identified Nigeria as home to the largest concentration of the world’s poorest people, with the bulk of the population in the north region.

During the visit, the UK Minister of State for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, who led a business delegation to the business event as part of the visit, announced a new £70-million programme to create 100,000 jobs in Nigeria.

Ms Baldwin said the programme would raise the income of three million people from the poorest parts of Nigeria.

But, giving details on the programme, Mr Smith said the LINKS initiative is a seven year programme to commence in early 2019, aimed at supporting job creation and income generation for the poor, women and those living with disability in the three northern states of Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa.

He said implementation of the programme would be through a contracted service provider, which the UK government is currently out in the market to recruit, with the process already in the evaluation stage for the first bids.

The service provider, Mr Smith said, would propose and implement the details of the programme, apart from working with a range of partners, including Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and the UK Department for International Trade.



“The provider will also liaise with Nigerian agencies such as the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) and key international development agencies like the World Bank.

“In a practical sense, LINKS will work by using a range of approaches such as technical assistance to public and private sectors, targeted grant funding and fostering linkages between investors, financiers and firms.

“The programme will focus on three northern Nigerian states of Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa, with expectation that it has wider benefits which could spread to other northern states,” Mr Smith said.

On the types of jobs to be created under LINKS, he said these would be as varied and diverse as the people of Nigeria.

Apart from affordable housing, information and communication technology and even waste management jobs in urban, rural jobs would cover agricultural supply chain and processing jobs.

In terms of categorization, the spokesperson said 40 per cent of the 100,000 jobs would be reserved for women, while six per cent would go to people living with disabilities.

Besides, at least 20 per cent of the jobs would be created in small replicable business models, like franchises the middle class, diaspora and modestly wealthy can also invest in.

“So, it’s not just about big business or global leaders. It’s about real Nigerians,” he said.

Asked whether the initiative was part of a larger attempt by the UK government to help resolve the poverty situation the UK PM referred to in her controversial reference to Nigeria as home to the largest concentration of the world’s poorest people, Mr Smith said: “Yes, absolutely.”

He explained Ms May’s government believes the majority of the income improvements for the poor through LINKS would come from “identifying innovative technologies or business models that will improve competitiveness and productivity across multiple fields, in a way that ensures the poor share the benefits.”



Apart from testing these and other successful programmes, Mr Smith said they would help the entrepreneur or business who has developed the innovation to take it to the next level through attracting private investment.

Also, these innovations should expand and improve the lives of millions more as they spread across the northern part of the country and beyond.

“The LINKS innovation and investment programme announced by the Prime Minister is a huge step the UK Department for International Development is immensely proud of,” Mr Smith said of the initiative.

“Helping to raise the income of three million people and create 100,000 vital jobs will transform Nigeria for the better.

“For the people of Nigeria, LINKS means more, bigger and innovative firms creating jobs and raising incomes, both directly and through their supply chains, while generating higher revenues for taxation. Together, we can create a Nigeria fit for the future.”
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/282402-how-we-plan-to-create-100000-jobs-in-nigeria-uk-govt.htm

Watch how wailers will come and foam in the mouth that the north is the focus

RevenGeMission:
Watch how wailers will come and foam in the mouth that the north is the focus

Why are you using reverse psychology.

Good

.

Welcome development.

shey North is D headquarter of Nig ni?

Long life May therasa

Next time say how to create 100,000 jobs for Boko Haram or Northern part of Nigeria ��

Pls come and recolonize us

All those money our past leaders looted and sent over there are being used to render help help to Nigerians.

this is how u help a poor country and not by giving them.loans u won't monitor and using huge natural assets as collateral. beware of china!

Alejoc:
Pls come and recolonize us

Announced a new £70-million programme to create 100,000 jobs in Nigeria.


What is this?? Let me tell you it's still colonization but no more chains and the likes.

https://www.scribd.com/document/383059819/Intellectual-Slavery-The-Worst-Legacy-of-Colonialism
This book will surely make you sit up, and sit up the more
Blessings (please read it, don't be a statistic- if you want to hide something from an African bla bla bla)

RevenGeMission:
Watch how wailers will come and foam in the mouth that the north is the focus

It's a shame the Nigeria government is bereft of ideas and UK is helping Nigeria create jobs

Where did Nigeria go wrong ?

Buhari is a cursed entity

Na so.
Check my signature

Sometimes we Southerners do not reason with our God given brain.
Sai baba

Hmmm ... investing £70m to 100,000 jobs averages 700 Pounds or around N350,000 to a job.

Left to Buhari he will be happy to share each 350k to 70 persons as N5,000 and have them spend it in a week.

So na only northerners dey dis we country?

Alejoc:
Pls come and recolonize us

If you read this book I will send you credit as a gesture of my appreciation
Thank you
https://www.scribd.com/document/383059819/Intellectual-Slavery-The-Worst-Legacy-of-Colonialism

Nigeria is like an empty book

I hope it is not the APC type of promise?

Welcome development

.

merahki:


If you read this book I will send you credit as a gesture of my appreciation
Thank you

Are you sure?

RevenGeMission:
Watch how wailers will come and foam in the mouth that the north is the focus

Yes since the creation of Nigeria they have been given preferential treatment,that is why they do not support restructuring, Buhari have said it all, they believe that Nigeria has oil and expect freebies.

Leun:



Announced a new £70-million programme to create 100,000 jobs in Nigeria.


What is this?? Let me tell you it's still colonization but no more chains and the likes.

Hmmm

This is a welcome development