News: SURE-P To Pay Graduates N25,000 Monthly - Federal Government

The Federal Government's Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment-Programme (SURE-P) has approved the sum of N15 billion for the payment of allowances to 50,000 unemployed graduates expected to be employed under the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) of the programme.

Head of Operations of GIS, Mr. Akubo Adegbe, disclosed this at the weekend during a sensitization workshop for firms in Niger State, adding that each of the successful graduates would earn a monthly stipend of N25,000 under the programme. According to him, the graduates would be attached to available firms, non-governmental organizations and some selected government agencies for a one year internship in the state. He said the scheme is aimed at availing participants with requisite experience in their various disciplines preparatory to securing jobs.

"The interns are expected to acquire professional skills, training and work experience to be able to improve on their chances for job-placement opportunities".

The Federal Government will be responsible for paying a monthly stipend to them while participating institutions will be expected to provide adequate opportunities for training and mentoring, he said.

He said the scheme is meant to enhance the employability of unemployed graduates in the 36 states of the federation through the proposed internship programmes in public and private sectors.

In her remarks, a Minna based legal practitioner, Mrs. Vera Ndanusa enjoined SURE-P not to allow fraudulent people to hijack the programme for selfish interests.

Source: Daily Trust