In realization of the employment creation initiative of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu has disclosed that the Community Services Women and Youth Employment (CSWYE) project of SURE-P has created 21,000 job opportunities in the North-West Geo-political zone of Nigeria.
Wogu stated this recently when he led a high powered delegation which comprises of the Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdukadir Esq., and his Environment counterpart, Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafa, the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulack on a sensitization and appraisal visit of the CSWYE project to the Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero. Five other Ministers were also represented at the event.
In his words, "The present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is working and putting the masses first in its development plans, in the North-west Geo-political zone a total of 21, 000 women, youths and people living with disabilities are benefiting from the Community Services Women and Youths Employment Project".
While speaking further, the Minister enumerated the gains of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme in the North-West Geo-political zone, which include the Kano Maiduguri Road dual-carriage way, construction of bridges, the Abuja-Kaduna Railway modernization project, Maternal and Child Health project as well as over 4132km road maintenance project among others.
Wogu commended the implementation process of the CSWYE project in Kaduna state, affirming that "Kaduna state, though not a pilot State has done very well on the implementation process, the speed of submission of time sheets for the payment of stipends to beneficiaries has been commendable, and payment has been made up to June 2013".
While responding, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero tasked the Federal Government on the sustainability of the project stating that the sustainability of the project will take the youths out of the street as ready tools for restiveness.
"One thing that is very critical is the issue of sustainability, if the project is sustained, people will be gainfully employed, it will also help in creating opportunity for the youths to be useful to themselves and the entire nation". Ramalan affirmed.
In a similar development, the Minister during a courtesy call on the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji, Dr. Shehu Idris, stated that the CSWYE project would not have recorded such a huge success within a short period without the royal support of the traditional rulers; he solicited continued support of the royal fathers for the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
While addressing the Wogu-led delegation, the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris expressed appreciation to Mr. President for empowering women and youths, across the nation. His Royal Highness prayed for the sustainability of the project, while expressing continued support to the present administration.
In his statement, "We hope that we will continue to benefit from this project. I wish to affirm to the Minister that we will continue to support this project"; he assured.
When the Minister was addressing beneficiaries of the project during a town hall meeting, he urged them to sieze the opportunity provided by the project to aspire to a greater height, shun violence in whatever form and join hands with the government to transform themselves and their immediate communities.
In his goodwill message, the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak stated that President Jonathan-led administration has fulfilled its promises to Nigerians through the implementation of the SURE-P programme. He added that the present administration is committed to implementation of socio-economic development projects, urging Nigerians to support the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President.
In their separate remarks, the Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdukadir and his Environment counterpart, Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafa, advised beneficiaries to take advantage of this project to achieve their goals.
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