Federal Government to Replace N5,000 Monthly Stipend for Unemployed Youths

Federal Government - New revelation has shown that the monthly stipend of N5,000 promised by the Federal Government to unemployed youths will soon be replaced.

Sen. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, revealed that the Federal Government has initiated empowerment programmes to engage unemployed youths against the proposed N5,000 monthly stipend.

According to Vanguard, Ngige made this disclosure at the Special Day of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) at the ongoing 27th Enugu International Trade Fair on Friday.

He said that there were ample opportunities for unemployed graduates in the country in the 2016 Budget.

"Instead of paying youths N5,000 monthly for doing nothing, the government has initiated plans to engage hundreds of thousands of youths in the country with over 10 empowerment programmes.

"Some of the intervention programmes will be spearheaded by the NDE including Teach Nigeria, skill acquisition and community services,” Ngige said.

The minister said that some of the youths would be employed at the end of the programme, while others would be assisted to start their own businesses.

"When you enter the programme, the person would be earning far more than N5, 000 depending on his or her input,” he said.

Ngige said that the Federal Government had started taking stocks of all the skill acquisition centers in the country and would soon roll out training programmes for them.

He said that he appreciated the support of the private sector in the provision of jobs, stressing that creation of sustainable employment in the country was basically a challenge for the private sector.

The minister said that there was need for economic diversification from oil to other areas such as agriculture and pledged government’s commitment to tackle poverty in the country.