Nigeria

Two Nigerian Ministers Launch global Human Development Report 2009

The Conference Hall of the UN House, Abuja was filled to capacity on Friday 9 October 2009 as top government officials, the diplomatic corps and development partners, civil society members, the media and the Nigerian public thronged to the launch of the Human Development Report 2009.

The Report on the theme, Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development, was presented to the Nigerian public by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode supported by the Honourable Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman. Mr. Papa Seck, a data specialist from the Human Development Office in New York, reviewed and presented the highlights of the report.

UNDP Country Director, and Resident Representative a.i. Mr. Turhan Saleh (left), Minister of Labour and Productivity, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (middle) and Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudden Usman

In a keynote address at the occasion, Prince Kayode traced the themes of the Human Development Reports from inception in 1990 to date and commended UNDP for its sustained advocacy over the years for people centred development. On the theme of the current report, he said, “Nigeria as we all know is a migration destination, transit and sending country. Destination country to people from all over the world, particularly citizens from the ECOWAS member states… a transit country to those who use our country as launching pad to actualise their aims to go to other countries and it will surprise you to know from how far people come to transit from Nigeria.” Nigeria he said, “is obviously a migrant sending country. Nigerians are found in virtually all countries of the world… In our bid to effectively manage migration in the country, a draft National Policy on Migration was formulated about four years ago with inputs from relevant MDAs (ministries, departments and agencies) including my Ministry.” He added that his ministry would be reviewing the draft National Policy on Migration in the light of new information in order to come up with a labour migration policy for the country.

The Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudden Usman in his goodwill message said, ‘It is unfortunate that far too little attention has been paid to migrants’ contribution to economic development. However, perceptions on migration are also changing, as we see today a shift away from a predominantly negative view of migration and development that emphasized the root causes of migration, brain drain, labour force depletion and rural exodus, to a growing recognition that migration can be an important factor in growth, stability and prosperity.”

UNDP Country Director and Resident Representative a.i. Mr. Turhan Saleh, in introductory remarks said of the human development reports, “Our central message that development is not just about the rate of economic growth or the quantum of wealth in a country but, ultimately, about expanding people’s choices to live a full life – based on good health, education, income, respect for basic rights and sustainable use of our natural environment – has resonated widely across the world and retains its relevance to this day.” On the theme of this year’s report, he said, “Migration can also bring large gains for human development and economic output at little or no cost to locals or host communities. There is, indeed, little evidence to suggest that locals suffer – for example, in rich countries – when migrants come in from poorer countries yet there is a pervasive popular view suggesting the opposite. We need to adjust our perceptions and our policies in light of these findings and learn to manage migration smartly to benefit those who move and those who receive.”

Earlier, FAO Representative and UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Mr. Helder Muteia welcomed the about 250 guests to the event saying, “The findings and recommendations from past Human Development Reports have always fueled debate and, indeed, change in the way we think about important development issues. I am particularly delighted that the Hon. Ministers of Planning and Labour and Productivity are here today to launch this Report which underscores the importance the Federal Government of Nigeria attaches to issues of human mobility.”