The Kogi State Government has inaugurated the Human Capital Development (HCD) Technical Working Group (TWG) to drive policies and programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of its people.
The inauguration took place on Tuesday during the maiden meeting of the Kogi State Human Capital Development Council at the Office of the Deputy Governor in Lokoja.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor/Chairman HCDC, Elder Joel Oyibo Salifu, who represented Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, emphasized that the Council is to focus on three key areas: Health and Nutrition, Education, and Labour Participation.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the National Economic Council’s Human Capital Development Programme which was launched in March 2018 to accelerate economic growth and ensure sustainable development across state in Nigeria.
According to Governor Ododo” the Human Capital Development Programme was initiated to improve economic growth through investment in people, and today we are taking a bold step in revitalizing it in Kogi State.
The inauguration of the Technical Working Group is crucial as it will provide the necessary technical guidance for policy implementation.”
The TWG which has Hon. Abdulahi Sani Ozomata as the focal person, consists of Directors of Planning, Research, and Statistics from key ministries, Commissioners for Health, Education, Women Affairs, Youth and Sports, Donor Agencies, Senior Civil Servants, and Labour Unions.
The group has been tasked with conducting landscape analyses of human capital development indicators in the state, identifying challenges in education, health, and labour, and recommending policy solutions.
It will also assess ongoing interventions and suggest improvements to enhance social inclusion, nutrition, and workforce participation.
Governor Ododo emphasized that the government is determined to make Kogi a leader in human capital development and urged the team to remain dedicated to their responsibilities, noting that the administration’s goal is to surpass basic benchmarks in the sectors and ensure that policies translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
“Our goal is not just to compete but to lead. We are determined to make Kogi a model state in human capital development,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of service, stating that the work of the TWG is not just a government responsibility but a commitment to improving lives in the state.
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