By Chi Ibe

On Monday, 13 February, the Federal Government in Abuja pledged to give incentives to companies that offer employment to corps members when they finish their service year.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, announced the new initiative at the launch of the National Public Works, Women and Youth Employment Scheme of SURE-P, in Abuja. She said that the programme was part of government’s effort to help build graduates skills in various career. “Graduates will be attached as interns in firms and companies with a view to sharpen their skills and helping them acquire sufficient experience towards a career development. This, we believe will enhance employability or prepare them adequately for entrepreneurial opportunities,” she said.

She said that women and physically challenged persons in Nigeria would also be given 50 per cent participation in the programmes as well as people living with a disability or HIV/AID as it geared towards accommodating every Nigerian citizen.

The Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amechi, who spoke at the event, said that various state governors would soon unveil programmes geared towards creating jobs for the youths. “Be rest assured that governors are willing and ready to work with you to achieve this as it is a tool in achieve greater unity in our nation Nigeria.”

Also speaking, former Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Christopher Kolade, who is also the Chairman of the inaugurated Committee on the programme, said the committee would work with high level of integrity to ensure that the objective was achieved. “I wish to say clearly to everybody that the intension of the authority is to deliver genuine relieve to people. And the government is putting up resources to do this,” he said.

The programme is set out to improve access to quality social and economic services as all basic infrastructures would be rehabilitated under the scheme.