Some beneficiaries of the N-Power programme in the North East geopolitical zone, have lauded the Federal Government for coming to their rescue, saying that the jobs secured through the programme had granted them temporary relief from unemployment.
The N-Power is a job creation and youth empowerment programme initiated by the Federal Government, expected to engage 500,000 jobless youth.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that already, the list of first batch of 200,000 successful applicants has been released, with most of them undergoing verification in all the states of the Federation.
In an interview with NAN, the successful applicants in the North East said the initiatives would further assist in ensuring the diversification of the country’s economy.
One of them in Bauchi, Mr Abba Ayuba, said that the initiative would give the teeming youths an opportunity to utilize the monthly stipend in developing themselves and venturing into trades relegated to the background.
He said a lot of beneficiaries had started making plans to establish private businesses with their
monthly allowances.
Ayuba however lamented that the provision of age as criteria for qualifying for the programme, had denied others the opportunity to benefit from the initiative.
Another beneficiary in Bauchi, Mr Faruk Maijama commended the Federal Government for the initiative, adding that it would help reduce some social vices in the society.
He said the programme, which had captured various fields, would change the mindset and way of life of many youth, thereby fostering national developments in all facets.
In Jigawa, Malam Bala Usman, N-Power Focal Person in the state told NAN that no fewer than 3,168 youths had been verified to participate in the N-power programme.
He said that the beneficiaries were thoroughly screened in their respective local government areas and would soon be deployed to their areas of assignment.
A beneficiary of the programme in the state, Mrs Ramatu Abubakar, said she was happy to be engaged and would make the best use of the opportunity.
In Borno, some beneficiaries described the programme as one of the most elaborate job-creation efforts ever embarked upon by the Federal Government, but lamented that it had only two years life-span.
Malam Ba’ana Babagana, a beneficiary, said President Muhammadu Buhari had fulfilled his promise to Nigerians on the issue of job creation, saying the N-Power scheme would empower a lot of people.
“To me, the program is commendable in view of the hardship in the country; earning N30,000 is better than having nothing at all,” he said.
Another successful applicant, Malam Shettima Biu, was optimistic about the possibility of an upward review of their allowances, from the current N30, 000, to N50, 000.
“The N30, 000 is good but needs to be jerked up in view of the current economic challenges occasioned by the recession,” he said.
Alhaji Babazannah Abdulkarim, Borno Focal Person for the programme, said over 4,000 applicants were successful.
“The Borno case and experience, as far as the N-power programme is concerned, is very different and perhaps undoubtedly the most challenging,” he said.
He explained that the prevailing realities in the aftermath of the insurgency presented a scenario of incessant difficulties.
Abdulkarim also confirmed that the state had screened all its successful candidates and submitted the list to the appropriate quarters for further action.
“I want to categorically state that we in Borno were the first to submit our list of about 4,000 successful candidates.
“We screened all our applicants within one week, even before the deadline for submission elapsed, which was Friday Dec. 16,” he said.
Alhaji Yahya Imam, Borno state Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), said registration of the N-Power scheme was successful in the state.
“The turnout was good but there was a little bit of nonchalant attitudinal response on the side of the youth, “said Imam.
Meanwhile, Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa has lauded the Federal Government N-Pwer job creation programme, describing it as timely.
Commenting on the programme, the governor said it was part of fulfillment of campaign promises made by President Muhammadu Buhari to eradicate poverty and create job opportunities for the youth.
He however observed that inadequate public enlightenment had reduced the level of participation of youth from some local government areas of his state.
“There is need for proper public enlightenment to enable more unemployed youth who are qualified, to register and participate in the programme,” Bindow said.
Also speaking on the programme, Adamawa Commissioner of Information, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, said the state government was committed to ensuring its successful implementation and would monitor the performance of beneficiaries in their respective fields of assignment
Mr. Usman Salih, the state Focal Person of the Programme, said that a total of 3,811 were selected from the state and had undergone screening.
A beneficiary from Madagali Local Government Area, Ms Rita Fidelis, expressed happiness and thanked President Buhari for the gesture.
“I am a happy person today and want to thank Mr President for fulfilling his promise.
“I also want to urge my colleagues that are lucky to be part of this programme, to reciprocate by being committed in their areas of assignment,” Fidelis said.
Mrs Maryam Mele, N-Power Focal Person in Gombe state, said the programmes was being fully implemented in the state, with 2,696 out of the 3,048 successful applicants verified and list sent to the Presidency.
Some of the beneficiaries in the state, who spoke to NAN, lauded the present administration, saying N-Power programme would not only provide job opportunities for youth, but also broaden their work horizon.
One of them, Abdullahi Ahmed, a graduate of Economics who had been in the labour market for three years, said the N-Power job would help him in ‘managing life’, pending when he would secure an alternative.
Malam Bashir Banu, another beneficiary who said had also spent two years in the job market, expressed joy that the programme had given him ‘temporary relief’.
“I celebrated this opportunity from the first day I saw my name in the list of successful applicants, and I am still celebrating because I know the situation I found myself for not being employed.
“At least half bread is better than none. I will manage what I get in the next two years and see what happens after the programme wraps up,” he said.
Two other beneficiaries in Gombe, namely Abubakar Barde and Abdulmalik Muhammad, expressed the same sentiment, showering praises on President Buhari and pleading with the Federal Government to extend the lifespan of the N-Power programme. (NAN)