Yobe spent over N2,3bn on empowerment programme,says govt

From Uche Uche, Damaturu

Yobe state government has spent the sum N2,365 billion on  special empowerment programme designed by the state government to provide employment to the teeming youths in the state, especially diploma holders to become self reliant.

The chairman of the Yobe state committee on special empowerment programme, Engr. Mohammed Kati Machina disclosed this yesterday on the occasion marking the presentation of award by beneficiaries of the programme to the state governor, Alh.(Dr.) Ibrahim Gaidam.

Speaking during the occasion, the chairman of the Yobe state committee on special empowerment programme, Engr. Mohammed Kati Machina reported that since the inception of the programme in the state, the state government has created job opportunities for a total number of 6,572 beneficiaries..

He stated that 3,424 out of this number were given short term induction course by the national teachers institute on methodology of teaching and have been engaged to teach in primary and junior secondary schools across the state.

He added that the governor has equally approved the upward review of the allowances of the special empowerment programme from N15,000 to N18,000 for beneficiaries of the programme serving in the office of the national population commission in the state, in addition to engaging 102 beneficiaries of the programme, six each to serve in the local government areas fire service office who are also beneficiaries of the upward review of allowances.

He pointed out that the Yobe state government is expending the sum of N98, 580,000 monthly as payment of stipend to the beneficiaries of the programme, adding that so far the state government has spent over N2, 365,920,000 as payment of allowances for the beneficiaries of the programme covering a period between November 2012 to October, 2014.

This he said has not only improved the living standard of the beneficiaries but also contributed in curtailing youth restiveness in the state.