FG Hires 450,000 Graduates, Offers N30,000 Salary

By Sodeinde Temidayo David

The federal government has hired about 450,000 graduates under its N-Power programme aimed to lift millions of Nigerians from poverty.

The graduates employed by the central government are under the Batch C stream 1 of the scheme, which will have 510,000 beneficiaries across the country.

The beneficiaries, according to the government, will receive N30,000 each month, for a period of time as it is not permanent employment.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Ms Sadiya Farouq, while speaking at the flag-off of the Batch C stream 1 of the programme held at Abuja, stated that President Muhammadu Buhari was determined to achieve the federal government’s goal to lift 100 million Nigerians in 10 years.

She said at the ceremony that the N-Power Batch C was divided into two streams. Stream C1 of 510,000 beneficiaries and stream C2 for 490,000 others.

She noted that under Batch C1, 450,000 would benefit under the graduate component, while 60,000 beneficiaries would be under the non-graduate component.

“Today, we are here to inaugurate the N-Power Batch C1. The N-Power graduate volunteers are entitled to a monthly stipend of N30,000 for a period of one year.

“The non-graduate beneficiaries are entitled to N10,000 monthly stipends for a period of nine months.

“All beneficiaries are granted an appropriate starter pack for their trade to enable them to start their businesses in their chosen trades,” the Minister said.

She expressed that the ministry was committed to achieving the National Social Intervention Programmes (NSIP) strategic objectives.

Also speaking on the inauguration, the Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed expressed that the N-power aims at giving Nigeria youths the opportunity to acquire skills, to enhance their lives, and even create employment for others.

“I have no doubt that the lessons learnt in Batch A and B would be brought to bear in Batch C to achieve President Muhammadu’s Buhari vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty,” he said.

Correspondingly, the UN Resident Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Edward Kallon, said the onboarding of the N-Power Batch C stream 1 was another milestone achievement by the government towards lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.