The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has promised a reward of N1 million and full employment for the best participant in the N-Power Programme of the Federal Government.
He made the promise in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday during an interactive session with the participants from the state at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti.
In a statement by his Chief Press. Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi,the governor was quoted as saying that the state government would fully play its role in ensuring the success of the programme.
The governor, however, called on the FG to fully tackle unemployment headlong, saying the N-Power Programme was only a palliative.
“This is only a palliative as it will last for only two years and I am strongly appealing to the Federal Government to take the issue of job creation serious. When somebody partakes in this programme and is sent back to the labour market after two years, that is going back to where he or she started, the labour market.
“As for us, we will do our duty to distribute participants to where they would work and monitor them as well as ensuring that we do a proper data capturing of the participants.
“For those in the agriculture arm of the programme, they can take advantage of our desire to adequately support rice and cocoa cultivation. We will support in the provision of inputs and clearing of land. Next year, we are committing about N250 million to clear farmlands across the state. From among the participants, we can get serious ones who could be useful in the teaching service and other areas,” he said.
Fayose also emphasized the need to make appointment into public service free, fair and transparent.
He added that recent employment made by the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti was cancelled because it did not follow due process.
He wondered why more than 400 persons would be offered employment without the positions being advertised for interested people to try their luck.
One of the participants, Oke Motunrayoo Alaba, commended the governor for his support for the programme.
No fewer than 3400 people are taking part in the programme in the state.
Participants are to take part in teaching, health, community and agriculture activities for the next two years and would be paid a monthly stipend of N30,000 each.
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