The 774, 000 jobs approved by the Federal Government about 15 month’s ago , was flagged off in Kogi state by the National Directorate of Employment on Saturday, with the 21, 000 unskilled participants for the Extended Special Public Works (SPW), selected from the 21 Local government areas of the state in attendance
Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who was the special guest of honour at the occasion, lambasted some politicians whom he described as selfish, greedy and unpatriotic for causing the delay in the implementation of the laudable programme of the Buhari administration.
He said because of the popularity of the programme, some leaders introduced political,sectional, ethnic and religious sentiments just to blackmail the federal government with a view to destroying the lofty grains that will accrue to the downtrodden.
The Governor, who disclosed that N 800billion meant for the scheme has been set aside by the federal government, assured the pioneer participants that President Muhammadu Buhari will increase the stipend after the first three month’s.
He said the President is using the scheme to touch the lives of the ordinary people who have no access to government fund , because he cares for the less privileged as they also see hope in him for a better Nigeria.
Though Covid 19 has also contributed to drawback
almost all programmes and projects including the 774,000 jobs, the Governor condemned some Nigerian leaders who have made the pandemic a business.
“As far as we are corned Kogi state is free of Covid 19.We appeal to the developed nations and their African collaborators to keep Covid 19 to themselves. We don’t need their vaccines
” On hearing of the amount N 345 trillion earmarked for Covid 19, some people became business men and women over night and have now emerged emergency billionaires ,” the Governor said.
Bello also alleged that some close aides of the President have been sources of his travails in the smooth governance of the country as they are bent on betraying him, some are bent on lockdown of the entire country so that there will be no schools , businesses, worshiping of God and render the entire people useless.
He therefore urged the Nigerian students, Youths organizations and all Nigerians to rise and kick against the traitors and expose them.
“They are in cahoot with enemies to destroy the President. Some of his aides betrayed the trust reposed in them. Nigerians should resolve to resist the antics of these saboteurs and give them the required treatment by rejecting them when they come for mandates and votes.” Bello charged.
Earlier in his welcome address,the acting Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo said the flag off of the scheme marks the actualisation of the most far reaching grassroots based employment creation initiative in the annals of the nation’s history.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the confidence he has in entrusting the implementation of the project to the NDE , promising that they will deliver the target , in view of the support, guidance and motivation they have been receiving from the Chairman of the NDE board.
In his remarks. Chairman of the selection committee for Kogi state, Mr Raji Afolabi Joseph, disclosed that the 21,000 participants both males and females were carefully selected in collaboration with traditional rulers, youth organisations and women groups so as to achieve the objectives of the NDE.
