(Ilorin)
The Npower beneficiaries have appealed to the Federal government and all states to absorb them, in whatever percentage they could and support others to be self reliant and be employers of labour
The Kwara State Co-ordinator/Chairman, Npower beneficiaries, Comrade Bello Mubarak Salau made the appeal while briefing newsmen in Ilorin.
Salau said: “We are well informed by the Federal government,from initial stage, that the empowerment is supposed to be for two years.
“Not withstanding, we believe so much that the federal government can equally look into it and extend or perhaps, gainfully engage some of the beneficiaries so that they don’t go into the streets and cause comotions.
“We are not saying that government has not been magnanimous, we appreciate government for that but can do more.
“Like Oliver twist, we are asking for more, we believe so much that with Covid-19 at this time, the economy is crashing, we are trying to revive the economy.
“If you now disengage 500,000 youths at this period, are you helping the economy or you are making the economy worse more.
“This is why we are soliciting the federal government and all state assistance to absorb whatever percentage they can and support others to be self reliant and be employers of labour.
“We have resolved to speak out and appeal to our father and President of the country, President Mohammadu Buhari and also to our mother,the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development.
“We also appeal to the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Assembly and all other well meaning Nigerians to as a matter of urgency to come up and see to our request.
“We Appreciate the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for the creation of a transparent and life touching empowerment programme (Npower) which has gainfully empowered 500,000 Nigerian Youths within the last four years.
“Thhis has tremendously helped to engage youths into productiveness and contributing to the growth and development of our dear country, Nigeria.
This has also helped to reduce the rate of crime and criminality for as it’s said, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
“We also want to use this medium to Express our displeasure on the time of disengagement without a suitable modalities for the transition of the beneficiaries.
“This is more do when we are confronted with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as a people.
“We must understand that disengaging these youths at a time such as this is ill-timed most importantly when there seems to be no modalities put in place to keep these trained youths into gainful employment.
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“We implore the federal government to save the country from the impending disaster that may spring up from disengaging such capacity of trained youths back to the street, particularly at a time such as this with all the harsh economic realities as a result of this pandemic.
He also called on the Kwara state government to as a matter of necessity and importance gainfully engage the trained youths who have contributed immensely and positively in the area of teaching.
The comrade noted the many of the beneficiaries have made positive impact in healthcare delivery, tax and agriculture for the development of the state.
“We advise all the Npower beneficiaries to exercise patience and be hopeful that there would be a golden light at the end of this tunnel.
“We sincerely appeal to the ministry in charge of Npower scheme to look into the issue of Npower device for batch ‘B’ beneficiaries who are yet to receive their devices as promised by the federal government.”
He said though payment of the devices was said to be approved since 2018,”no body is answering query to its none existence.”
Salau expressed optimism that the payment “is achievable and we believe that the needful would be done as soon as possible.”
“Despite the odds and daunting challenges, we promise and will continue to be hardworking, patriotic, law abiding, progressive and prayerful for the growth and development, promote unity and peaceful coexistence of our dear country.
Duaglobalnews recalls that N-Power Programme was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 under the National Social Investment Programme to take citizens out of poverty through capacity building, investment and direct support of N30, 000 monthly stipend to beneficiaries.
The online publication recalls that the Ministry of Humanitarian affairs, Fisaster Management and Docial Development,hasthat two batches of beneficiaries of the N-Power would be disengaged.
In a statement, Rhoda Iliya, Deputy director of Information of the ministry said those affected were batches A and B
beneficiaries who would exit the programme by June 30 and July 31 respectively.
“A new batch C, however, will be enrolled,starting from July 26.
“The Ministry has announced that Batch A will exit June 30, 2020 and Batch B will exit the programme on July 31, 2020. And the commencement of
enrolment for a new batch of N-Power beneficiaries effective July 26, 2020.
The programme has enrolled 500,000 beneficiaries thus far – 200,000 from Batch A which started in September 2016 and 300,000 from Batch B which kicked off in August 2018,”she said.
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