By Akeem Busari
On Monday in Gombe State, Vice-President Kahim Shettima launched the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative aimed at connecting thousands of skilled Nigerians to the global market valued at $8.79 trillion. OTNI, a private sector-led government-enabled program managed by the Office of the Vice-President, is expected to create over 2,000 job opportunities for the youths of Gombe State.
Speaking during the launch, Vice-President Shettima highlighted the country's abundant talents in the very competitive evolving markets.
In his statement, Shettima expressed his confidence in the OTNI to turn around the economic fortunes of the country, saying, “Outsourcing, as an economic strategy, is not just about efficiency; it’s a profound recognition of our interconnectedness in the global economy. Outsourcing is also a strategy to counteract brain drain and channel our talents and skills into reconstructing a Nigeria that works.”
Also speaking at the launch, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, who was one of the distinguished Nigerians invited to the epochal launch, praised the federal government on the OTNI program, which he described as timely, given the economic realities in the country.
"The launch of the OTNI is a very good one. And it is commendable, as it would further provide economic opportunities to the teeming and equally talented youths of this country to join the fast-growing global outsourcing markets," Kida, a retired Managing Director of Total Energies Nigeria, enthused confidently.
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, led other notable Nigerians to the event, including the Founder/CEO of OTNI, Amal Hassan. Other dignitaries present were the Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, Deputy Governors of Borno and Gombe States, Emirs of Biu and Gombe, as well as the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi.
