As a means of reducing
the high unemployment rate in the country, the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), has concluded plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Enugu State Government.
The Chairman of SURE-P, which was initiated by the Federal Government to tackle the alarming unemployment rate in the country, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.) disclosed this during an Orientation Training for Interns and Firms representatives in Enugu State held at the Independence layout, Enugu.
He disclosed that SURE-P was partnering state governments to increase the number of Interns that needed to be engaged, adding that about 7,000 firms were already partnering with SURE-P.
General Agwai, who was represented by the Technical Adviser to SURE-P, Mr. Colet Odenigbo, explained that the 2nd Niger Bridge was now a reality because of the efforts of SURE-P, pointing out that it was no longer a political statement.
He, therefore, commended the Federal Government for initiating the programme, which in his opinion has endeared hope of gainful employment to many Nigerian youths, advising the interns to seize the opportunity of the training to be useful to themselves. Earlier in his speech, the Director, Graduate Internship Scheme, Mr Peter Papka explained that SURE-P was a programme set up by the Federal Government to provide Critical Infrastructure and Social Safety nets to the Nigerian People.
A major part of the social safety net programme, according him, is the Graduate Internship Scheme(GIS).
He, therefore, cautioned both Interns and their employers against abuse of opportunity provided by the scheme, confirming that some bad eggs on both sides have attempted to defraud the scheme through unethical practices.
Some of the Interns, he regretted, have attempted to get paid without working while some firms and their representatives have attempted to connive with Interns to derail the objectives of the scheme. Papka said they expected firms/organisations not to condone truancy or any form of indiscipline, adding that they should not consider recommending payments to Interns who have not fulfilled core responsibilities to qualify for stipends.
