Emmanuel OchayiFormer Nigerian Senator Shehu Sani and human right activist has voiced his support for the Federal Government’s decision to indefinitely suspend and investigate the N-Power program.
The N-Power initiative, designed to combat youth unemployment and promote social development, has recently come under scrutiny over alleged irregularities.
In a statement on his X page formerly Twitter, Sani expressed his approval of the government’s plans in that regard, saying, “Suspending and investigating N-Power is a welcome development.” He went on to highlight the importance of addressing the program’s issues to ensure its effectiveness and fairness.
The suspension was announced by Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, during her appearance on a TVC news programme Saturday. She cited irregularities within the scheme as the primary reason for the decision and emphasized the ongoing investigation into fund utilization since the program’s inception.
Minister Edu stated, “We must go back to look into N-Power and understand what the problems are, so we will basically suspend the program for now until we are done with proper investigation into the utilization of funds into the N-Power program.”
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Among the issues outlined by Edu were beneficiaries who were absent from their assigned work locations while still expecting monthly allowances. Surprisingly, some beneficiaries were supposed to have exited the program in 2022 but remained on the payroll. She asserted, “About 80% of them are not working yet they are claiming salaries.”
The N-Power Program, launched in 2016 by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, aimed to address youth unemployment and enhance social development. It was intended for unemployed graduates and non-graduates between the ages of 18 and 35, with the goal of equipping them with skills and certifications for emerging global markets.
As the government takes these steps to suspend and investigate the N-Power Program, questions arise about the future of the initiative and the livelihoods of the thousands of Nigerian youths who rely on it. Senator Shehu Sani’s support for the move adds another dimension to the ongoing discussions surrounding this critical program.
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