Vice President Yemi Osinbajo announced yesterday that the federal government is planning to start a job fellowship program for graduates that will employ 20,000 young people each year.
He went on to say that the program will help the country’s youngsters regain their confidence.
Osinbajo said the program was being supported by the European Union (EU), Dangote Group, Bua Cement, Lafarge Cement, Visa, Microsoft, among other private sector partners.
Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice President’s spokesman, said in a statement yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was planning to start the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Program in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and other private sector partners (NJFP).
Also read: NECO Announces New Acting Registrar
Osinbajo stated that Buhari would soon launch the 12-month job fellowship program
“We look forward to the president formally introducing the program very soon,” he continued.
“As we prepare for Mr. President’s formal introduction of the program, I urge private sector leaders and captains of industry, development partners, and the diplomatic community to embrace this program targeted at equipping young Nigerians with work-ready skills and experience.
Internship opportunities will be established under the project for young Nigerians who have just completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. The internships will be fully paid and will take place at respected private and public sector organizations for a period of 12 months.
Osinbajo said the NJFP “is in very good company, a new and bold addition to an existing suite of large-scale, big-impact program that will rewrite the narrative as it relates to jobs, skills and employment in Nigeria.
We are steadfast in our commitment to make a difference and restore our young people’s faith in their government’s ability to rise to the occasion and ensure a brighter and more prosperous future than the past.
“One of our ongoing initiatives is the N-Power program, which hires young graduates and positions them in agricultural, health, and education intervention programs in communities across the country. N-Power also offers a non-graduate program that focuses on technical skills and information technology education. The President has given his approval for the N-Power initiative to be expanded from 500,000 to one million beneficiaries.
“In addition, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has established a N75 billion Youth Fund to provide finance and support to young entrepreneurs and professionals.”
Osinbajo also addressed the $500 million African Development Bank Technology and Innovation Fund, which was also highlighted at the ceremony by the AFDB’s Ag. Senior Director, Mr. Lamin Barrow.
“Our agricultural, housing, and solar power programs already employ and will employ tens of thousands of people to assure food security, supply affordable dwellings, and boost local production,” he continued.
Also read: Two chibok Girls Who Escaped Boko Haram In 2014, Graduate From US University
Mr. Edward Kallon, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Systems in Nigeria, stated the scheme’s debut and eventual execution would “redefine the future of Nigeria.”
“With a population of 41 million young people, or 30% of Africa’s youth population, empowering young Nigerians will be critical in realizing a better future for Africa,” he continued.
“The Jubilee Fellows Program will promote Nigerian talent and opportunities at home. It will connect talented young Nigerians with local opportunities that would allow them to put their skills to use while also providing them with world-class practical knowledge.
“The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Program will help graduates connect with business. Private sector firms, startups, and major public sector organizations will be connected directly to graduates through this initiative in order to find the greatest young talent Nigeria has to offer.
Apply Now: Gani Fawehinmi Undergraduate Scholarship for Nigerian Undergraduate Students 2021
Graduates will have a greater understanding of the demands, issues, and realities that sectors confront in general, as well as how to best contribute to addressing them.”
source: Aceworldpub