FG To Launch Fellowship Programme For 20,000 Graduates

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday unveiled plans by the
federal government to launch a job fellowship scheme for graduates
under which 20,000 youths will be employed annually.

Osinbajo said the programme was being supported by the European
Union (EU), Dangote Group, Bua Cement, Lafarge Cement, Visa,
Microsoft, among other private sector partners.

He added that the programme will rebuild confidence in the
country’s youths.

Spokesman to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, in a
statement yesterday, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s
administration in collaboration with the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and other private sector partners was set to
launch the scheme, to be called the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows
Programme (NJFP).

Osinbajo stated that Buhari would soon launch the 12-month job
fellowship programme.

He added: “We are looking forward to the president formally
launching the programme very shortly.

“As we prepare for the formal launch of the programme by Mr
President, I urge private sector leaders and captains of industry,
development partners and the diplomatic community, to support this
programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with skills and
experience required for the work place.”

Under the initiative, internship opportunities will be created
for young Nigerians who have recently concluded the National Youth
Service Corps (NYSC) programme. The fully-paid internships will
last for 12 months and will be in reputable private and public
sector organisations.

Osinbajo said the NJFP “is in very good company, a new and bold
addition to an existing suite of large-scale, big-impact programmes
that will rewrite the narrative as it relates to jobs, skills and
employment in Nigeria.

“We are resolute in our determination to make the needed
difference, and rebuild the confidence of our young people in the
ability of their government to rise to the occasion and guarantee a
future that is better and more prosperous than the past.

“Our ongoing efforts include the N-Power scheme, which recruits
young graduates and places them in agricultural, health and
education intervention schemes in local communities around the
country. N-Power also has a non-graduate scheme focused on
technical skills and IT education. The President has approved the
expansion of the N-Power programme from 500,000 beneficiaries to
one million.

“We have also established a N75 billion Youth Fund in the
Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide credit and support for
young entrepreneurs and professionals.”

Osinbajo added that there is also the $500 million African
Development Bank Technology and Innovation Fund which the AFDB’s
Ag. Senior Director, Mr. Lamin Barrow also mentioned at the
event.

He added: “Also under our Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP),
designed to protect existing jobs, create new ones, and promote
local production, our agricultural, housing and solar power
programmes already employ and will employ tens of thousands of
people to ensure food security, and deliver affordable homes and
new power connections.”

The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Systems in
Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, said the launch and eventual
implementation of the scheme would redefine the future of
Nigeria.

He added: “Having a population of 41 million young people
constituting 30% of the youth population in Africa, empowering
young Nigerians will be key in the actualisation of a better future
for Africa.

“The Jubilee Fellows Programme will champion homegrown Nigerian
talent and opportunities. It will connect inspiring young Nigerians
with local opportunities that will apply their expertise, while
equipping them with world-class practical knowledge.

“The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme will bridge the gap
between graduates and industry. Through this programme, private
sector entities, startups and key public sector institutions will
be connected directly to graduates to find the best young talent
that Nigeria has to offer.

Graduates will be able to better understand the needs,
challenges and realities that industries broadly face, and learn
how best to contribute to address them.”

Also speaking at the event, the representative of the EU, Mr
Ketil Karlsen, pledged the support of the organisation to the
programme.

Private sector partners of the programme include, BUA, Dangote,
VISA Nigeria, Outsource Global, GE Gas and Power, Lafarge Africa,
SecureID and Microsoft.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday unveiled plans by the
federal government to launch a job fellowship scheme for graduates
under which 20,000 youths will be employed annually.

Osinbajo said the programme was being supported by the European
Union (EU), Dangote Group, Bua Cement, Lafarge Cement, Visa,
Microsoft, among other private sector partners.

He added that the programme will rebuild confidence in the
country’s youths.

Spokesman to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, in a
statement yesterday, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s
administration in collaboration with the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and other private sector partners was set to
launch the scheme, to be called the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows
Programme (NJFP).

Osinbajo stated that Buhari would soon launch the 12-month job
fellowship programme.

He added: “We are looking forward to the president formally
launching the programme very shortly.

“As we prepare for the formal launch of the programme by Mr
President, I urge private sector leaders and captains of industry,
development partners and the diplomatic community, to support this
programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with skills and
experience required for the work place.”

Under the initiative, internship opportunities will be created
for young Nigerians who have recently concluded the National Youth
Service Corps (NYSC) programme. The fully-paid internships will
last for 12 months and will be in reputable private and public
sector organisations.

Osinbajo said the NJFP “is in very good company, a new and bold
addition to an existing suite of large-scale, big-impact programmes
that will rewrite the narrative as it relates to jobs, skills and
employment in Nigeria.

“We are resolute in our determination to make the needed
difference, and rebuild the confidence of our young people in the
ability of their government to rise to the occasion and guarantee a
future that is better and more prosperous than the past.

“Our ongoing efforts include the N-Power scheme, which recruits
young graduates and places them in agricultural, health and
education intervention schemes in local communities around the
country. N-Power also has a non-graduate scheme focused on
technical skills and IT education. The President has approved the
expansion of the N-Power programme from 500,000 beneficiaries to
one million.

“We have also established a N75 billion Youth Fund in the
Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide credit and support for
young entrepreneurs and professionals.”

Osinbajo added that there is also the $500 million African
Development Bank Technology and Innovation Fund which the AFDB’s
Ag. Senior Director, Mr. Lamin Barrow also mentioned at the
event.

He added: “Also under our Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP),
designed to protect existing jobs, create new ones, and promote
local production, our agricultural, housing and solar power
programmes already employ and will employ tens of thousands of
people to ensure food security, and deliver affordable homes and
new power connections.”

The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Systems in
Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, said the launch and eventual
implementation of the scheme would redefine the future of
Nigeria.

He added: “Having a population of 41 million young people
constituting 30% of the youth population in Africa, empowering
young Nigerians will be key in the actualisation of a better future
for Africa.

“The Jubilee Fellows Programme will champion homegrown Nigerian
talent and opportunities. It will connect inspiring young Nigerians
with local opportunities that will apply their expertise, while
equipping them with world-class practical knowledge.

“The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme will bridge the gap
between graduates and industry. Through this programme, private
sector entities, startups and key public sector institutions will
be connected directly to graduates to find the best young talent
that Nigeria has to offer.

Graduates will be able to better understand the needs,
challenges and realities that industries broadly face, and learn
how best to contribute to address them.”

Also speaking at the event, the representative of the EU, Mr
Ketil Karlsen, pledged the support of the organisation to the
programme.

Private sector partners of the programme include, BUA, Dangote,
VISA Nigeria, Outsource Global, GE Gas and Power, Lafarge Africa,
SecureID and Microsoft.