News: Yobe Engages 6,674 Youths to Employ 800 Next Year

Yobe State Government - In a bid to reduce poverty land unemployment, the Yobe State government has engaged 6,674 with the aim of employing 800 youths in 2015 to mark this year's National Productivity Day (NPD) celebration.

The state also plans the conferment of 29 awards to individuals, organizations and ministries under its Special Empowerment Programme (SEP).

Among the awardees, was Governor Ibrahim Gaidam who was conferred with Garkuwan Matasa (Youths Shield) by beneficiaries of the scheme.

Addressing the youths at the Government House, Damaturu, the Head of Service, Alhaji Dauda Yahaya said the Federal Government established National Productivity Centre (NPC) in 1984 to inculcate productivity consciousness in the country.

His Words: "We in Yobe state are drawing inspiration from the Federal Government initiative by ensuring the observance of our own home grown Productivity Day.

"It is therefore significant that the Yobe State Government has added another milestone in its effort to stimulate productivity consciousness by introducing the State Merit and Productivity", he added.

He said in addition to SEP, the state government has also initiated other programmes, which includes Women and Vulnerable Groups Empowerment Programme, Youth in Agriculture, and FADAMA activities with over 15 beneficiaries.

Speaking on the engagement of more youths, he said "Currently, about 800 fresh applications from Diploma holders are being authenticated for possible engagement in various endeavors and services for job creation and poverty alleviation among youths in the state.

Throwing more light on the massive engagement of youths, chairman of Yobe State Committee on Special Empowerment Programme (YCSEP), Mohammed Kati Machina said that the committee members were given the terms of reference to advise government on how best to engage the services of Diploma holders in the state, determine those that require special skill acquisition for self employment, resettlement tools and financial support among others.

"I am happy to report that from the inception of this programme to date, the state government has created job opportunities for 6,674 beneficiaries. Out of this number, 3,424 were given short term induction courses by the National Teachers Institute, being conversant with the methodology of teaching; they are engaged to teach in Primary and Junior Secondary Schools across the state.

The governor has further approved with immediate effect the upward review of allowances of the Special Empowerment Programme (SEP) beneficiaries serving in offices of the National Population Commission in the state to N18, 000; and the engagement of 102 beneficiaries of the SEP in six each to serve in Local Government Area Fire Service Offices on the same salary with other youths engaged by government," said Machina yesterday at the NPD ceremony.

He also assured the governor and beneficiaries that members of the committee on SEP will continue to be resolutely and irrevocably committed to offer better services in translating the policies and programmes of the present administration. On financing SEP, he said: "The sum of N98.58 million is expended monthly in payments of stipend to the beneficiaries of this programme; some of who are in our midst.

The state government has so far spent over N2.37 billion as payment of allowances for the beneficiaries of the programme covering the period between November 2012 and October, 2014," adding that the programme has not only improved the living standards of beneficiaries, but contributed in curtailing youths restiveness.

While presenting letters of engagement, Governor Gaidam said: "In exercising the responsibilities of being conferred with this award of Garkuwan Matasa, I will formulate policies and propragmmes for youths that could develop and excel them in this state.

Responding, Muazu Bawa, one of the beneficiaries said the programme has made the youths proud in developing this state. We are going to mobilize all other youths in the state to vote for governor Gaidam in the 2015 general elections. This programme had made many of us here today to learn how to fish, instead of distributing the fist to beneficiaries of SEP"

Source: The Guardian