The Federal Government has promised to enroll members of the Newspaper Vendors Association of Nigeria in the N-Power programme, aimed at assisting them to acquire necessary skills.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, disclosed this in Abuja when members of the Federal Secretariat branch of the Association, led by its chairman, Desmond Obiagwu, paid him a courtesy visit.

Ngige commended the vendors for being good citizens by choosing to earn a decent living through newspaper vending, and shunning crime.

He expressed Government’s desire to encourage them in their efforts, stating that Government would enroll some of their members in the N-Power programme, a platform of Government where Nigerians can access skills acquisition and development.

According to him, “You are also helping Government through your work. You have helped this Ministry in Labour administration, as newspaper marketing is part of information dissemination. Through your activity, we get information on brewing labour unrest, and we are able to nip it in the bud through conciliatory meetings.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Federal Secretariat branch of the Newspaper Vendors Association of Nigeria, Desmond Obiagwu, congratulated the Minister on his re-appointment, and wished him success in navigating the tough terrain of the Labour Ministry.

Obiagwu noted that the Minister’s numerous achievements in the Labour sector during his first tenure, including the approval of a new national minimum wage for workers, informed his re-appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.  

He expressed the association’s delight over his re-appointment, as he had forged a harmonious relationship with them during his previous tenure, and also pledged the continued support of the association to the Ministry.