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Sadiya Farouk’s Fresh Impetus For N-Power Programme

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N-Power Programme commence on Friday

Sadiya Farouk’s Fresh Impetus For N-Power Programme

Many unemployed graduates, as well as their parents and guardians, are bound to heave a sigh of relief following the announcement, by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, that enrolment into Batch C, of the N-Power Programme, will commence on Friday, June 26, 2020.

This is coming against the backdrop of the concerted effort by the ministry to resolve some of the knotty challenges that have dogged the implementation the programme. Besides, It is gratifying to note that the two underlying issues, the exit dates for batches A and B participants and the issue of outstanding payments have been substantially sorted out. As a matter of fact, the only issue left to be resolved, as admitted by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, during last Tuesday’s press brief of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, is the outstanding allowances to 12, 000 participants, out of 500, 000 beneficiaries. The minister’s admission was a bold demonstration of transparency, given her earlier position that all the beneficiaries had been paid. What cannot be dismissed is her explanation, that the disconnect was created by the migration, from the original platform in use, to the Federal Government’s IPSSIS platform. These are indeed familiar problems in Nigeria and until recently customers of banks suffered untold disruption each time any of the banks embarked on any type of upgrading or change. Be that as it may, we can take consolation in the knowledge that the issue is being resolved.

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It is cheery news that the 500, 000 graduates of batches A and B of the N-Power Programme, since it was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) will now exit into entrepreneurship schemes on June 30 and July 31.To appreciate the significance of this development, one needs to understand the rationale for the programme in the first place. As clearly stated from the beginning, the Buhari Administration initiated the N-Power “to reduce youth unemployment by providing a structure for large scale and relevant work skills acquisition and development. In addition, its core outcome was to be linked to fixing inadequate public services and stimulating the larger economy. Thus, while there has been some predictable mischief among some critics of the program, there is no denying that, in some cases, apprehension caused by the delayed exit of the beneficiaries has been genuine and justified.

That the minister and her team have successfully dismantled the roadblocks that had posed a huge cog in the wheel of progress; obstacles that effectively undermined the attainment of the lofty objectives of the scheme, hold her up as a tenacious and focused strategist whose often subdued countenance should not be misjudged for indolence or weakness. If anything, it is obvious that she is a calm and calculated manager who understands how to effectively deploy men and materials to achieve the vision and mission of the Buhari Administration.

With the imminent enrolment of 300 graduates under Batch C, the Administration will be on course, in its pledge to empower Nigerian youths with life-long skills in order to become solution providers in their communities both locally and internationally. Little wonder President Muhammadu Buhari commended the programme in his Democracy Day broadcast on June 12, 2020. Appreciating the great efforts put in by the Ministry, President Buhari said “our Social Investment Programme has continued to be a model to other nations.”

Obviously, the minister and her team deserve a pat on the back for the decisive steps taken to ensure that Batches A and B exit the program. It is a known fact that many of the participants never wanted to exit the programme, perhaps, due to the inherent benefits attached to N-Power. This has been one of the major challenges facing the scheme.

However, the truth remains that the programme was not intended to be an open-ended avenue for people to colonise endlessly while denying others what, in local parlance, has come to be known as “dividends of democracy”. So the minister was right when she asserted that the imminent enrolment of Batch C participants is in in furtherance of the President’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, by creating opportunities that will enhance the productivity of the Nigerian youths for entrepreneurship.

In retrospect, it is regrettable that, despite the immense benefits of the programme which was initiated with all the best of intentions, the huge problems that were later to be inherited by the minister, the first to occupy the position, were not really anticipated or provided for.

Be that as it may, it is reassuring that the Buhari administration, with Minister Sadique Umar Farouq as the arrowhead, has been able to unhinge that protracted lock-jam, and now pushing for a sustainable template. Obviously, this could not have been possible without the patience, diligence and dedication of the minister and her team. It is, therefore, pertinent for Nigerians to be patient. The need to support and encourage those at the driving seat, as they strive to do a thorough job, cannot be overemphasized.

Yet, even as the minister’s effort is acknowledged, it is also hoped that the mistakes of the past have been taken care of. As the saying goes, once beaten, twice shy. It will be a sad day if, after this time out, Nigerians wake up again to tales of delayed payment or inadequate plans for the exit of Batch C beneficiaries on completion of their programme. From all indications, there is need for greater synergy between the Ministry and various stakeholders including state governments, the organised private sector and other development partners whose input and support form integral parts of this novel development architecture in the history of Nigeria. For maximum success, it is imperative to now mainstream all these stakeholders, into the new implementation mode of the scheme, even as the Batch 3 participants are being enrolled. The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) model whereby participants are put through mentorship in life skills as artisans, professionals and entrepreneurs should be deliberately cultivated to upscale the competences and confidence levels of the N-Power graduates. With such synergy, it will be very easy for the graduates, to gain requisite entrepreneurial skills necessary for transiting to either employers of labour or highly needed skilled manpower in the local and global markets.

In addition, the ministry should incorporate regular capacity-building seminars for peer group review by the participants within contiguous areas. Such for should also be used to attract successful entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders who would mentor the participants, not only in their various areas of specialisation but on citizenship issues.

Overall, it is indeed noteworthy that the n-Power programme is well on course. Despite the huge interest, by both admirers and adversaries, in the performance of the ministry, the minister and her team should not be discouraged. Public service is akin to living in the dust bin: every conceivable thing can be dumped inside it. What matters is to remain focused, to be able to make a difference and overall, to impact on lives. I want to say, without any fear of contradiction, that the imminent enrolment of Batch C, of the N-Power programme may be seen as one little step, but it is in reality, a giant leap towards sustainability of the programme.

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Labour Force

Kogi Governor Approves Implementation of N30,000 Minimum Wage for workers

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Kogi Governor Approves Implementation of N30,000 Minimum Wage for workers

Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, has approved the implementation of N30,000 as minimum wage for the workers in the state.

 

The secretary to the state government, Folashade Ayoade disclosed this on Tuesday after an extensive meeting with the organized labour in Lokoja

 

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She blamed the delay in the implementation on the inability for the committee to meet regularly due to the covid-19 pandemic which has been overcome.

 

The SSG equally commended the organised labour for their understanding and patience, which she said has resulted into the signing of the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Read Also: FCTA Set to Implement Minimum Wage for FCT Workers

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Finance

CBN to End Forex Sales to Commercial Banks in 2022

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Author: Eunice Johnson, Abuja 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has put Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) on notice that it will stop selling forex to them by the end of 2022. CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele made this known in Abuja on Thursday at the end of the Bankers’ Committee Meeting where he also introduced the RT200 Programme.

 

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Emefiele said the time had come for the banks to go out there and source for forex by funding entrepreneurs with ideas. The CBN, Emefiele said, will support the banks by granting rebates and other support until the banks find their feet in sourcing their forex by themselves.

He also disclosed that the apex bank’s policies and measures have led to a significant improvement in diaspora inflow from an average of US$6 million per week in December 2020 to an average of over US$100 million per week by January 2022. He added that the CBN would be reviewing these intervention programmes going forward to ensure that they continue to achieve the desired results.

He said international bodies, including some embassies and donor agencies, have been complicit in illegal forex transactions that have hindered the flow of foreign exchange into the country.

 

Read Also: CBN Encourages Nigerians to Accept E-Naira

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Customs Corner

Customs CG Deploys 37 Comptrollers as Comptroller Attah Heads Kebbi Command

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Customs CG Deploys 37 Comptrollers as Comptroller Attah Heads Kebbi Command

Author: Gift Wada, Abuja

The Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) has approved the deployment of 37 Comptrollers to various Units, Departments and Commands across the country.

This was disclosed in a release signed on Tuesday by the Customs Deputy National, DC Timi Bomodi for the Comptroller General of Customs.

Among those deployed are the present National PRO of Customs Comptroller Joseph Attah who will assume the office of Area Controller of Kebbi Command, Comptroller AAS Oloyede who shall be moving from ICT/MOD to Tin Can Island Port Command, while Comptroller SI Bomoi to FCT Command. Other postings are Comptroller BA Jaiyeoba to Oyo/Osun Command, Comptroller A Dappa-Williams to Eastern Marine Command, Compt. MA Umar Kano/Jigawa, Compt. KC Egwuh ICT/MOD, Compt. LM Mark Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi, Compt. T Tachio CTC Kano, Compt. AA Umar Western Marine, Compt. M Dansakwa North Eastern Marine, Compt. AC Ayalogu T & T and Compt. KD Ilesanmi will assume duty as Comptroller Board among others.

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Ali in postings released on 7th of February, charged the newly posted Comptrollers to justify the confidence reposed in them by NCS Management by bringing to bear their years of experience and training in trade facilitation and anti-smuggling activities on their new assignment.

 

Given the enormous expectations of government regarding revenue generation in the current year, the Comptroller General reiterated the need for all Area Controllers and Unit heads to take full charge of the affairs of their Commands by ensuring absolute compliance with extant fiscal policies while leveraging on the efficient management of data to optimize trade facilitation and revenue collection.

Furthermore, the CGC directed all officers to be extremely vigilant in protecting the lives and wellbeing of Nigerians by ensuring the full fortification of our borders against the incursion of smugglers and other cross border criminals.

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Comptroller Ali Ibrahim Assumes Duty as New Customs FOU Zone ‘C’ Boss

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