Obaseki inaugurates 18,000 Extended Special Public Jobs programme in Edo

BY ERIC OLUSESAN

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated the Federal Government’s 18,000 Extended Special Public Works Programme (ESPWP) for youths in rural areas across the state.

The Extended Special Public Works Programme is an initiative of the Federal Government to empower 774,000 unemployed youths across the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.

The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Government House and Protocol, Mrs. Julie Olatunji, reiterated the commitment of the state government to support initiatives that would empower more youths in the state.

Noting that youth empowerment remains topmost priority for the state government, he said: “We have promised that more than 50 per cent of the youths will make up our new cabinet and we are committed to that. We have done a lot of programmes to empower youths, while other programmes are still ongoing to give others opportunity to be gainfully employed and empowered.”

Obaseki urged the beneficiaries of the programme to continue with the enthusiasm that qualified them for the selection and be responsible in the discharge of their duties.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who was represented by Sunday Okpaise, tasked the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gestures of President Buhari-led government by executing their assignment diligently throughout the three months duration of the programme.

In his remark, the Chairman Edo State Selection Committee, Prof. Sam Guobadia, said the youths would benefit from strict supervision of their work by the state government.

He added: “Our work is going to be quite tasking. It is going to involve supervision of the beneficiaries when they start. We look forward to helping you with logistics, security and vehicles to carry out the supervisory duties.”