By Laleye Dipo in Minna
There was jubilation across Minna the Niger state capital on Thursday as participants in the Federal government social intervention scheme N-Power received their first salaries.
The salaries were paid directly to the bank accounts of the nearly 5000 participants.
THISDAY observed in the Niger state capital that the joyous participants stormed the various banks to withdraw the money.
Under the arrangement each participant in the programme is to receive a monthly stipend of N30, 000.
One of the participants Abdullahi Nda expressed gratitude to the government “for lifting my economic life”.
“I have not touched this type of money since I graduated four years ago, I thank the government, I thank President Buhari”.
Some of the beneficiaries also went to the Bosso low cost office of the N-Power to express their appreciation to the managers of the scheme.
The state focal person Mrs. Affiniki Dauda while addressing some of the beneficiaries described the N-Power programme “as a reality” and urged them to justify their appointments by being dedicated to their job.
Mrs. Dauda said efforts were being made by the office to fill the vacuum created by some applicants who could not scale the screening hurdle.
According to her, those not cleared were either overaged or could not prove that they were in one form of employment or the other.
“Any of those affected who can prove his case will be cleared and recommended to Abuja for placement” she said.
Mrs. Dauda said the office had gone far with preparation for the take-off of another arm of the federal government social security intervention programme.
