2017 Recruitment: Another N-Power Applicant Writes Vice Pres. Osinbajo, Challenges N-Power To Respond To Allegations Of Bias, Partiality

The tension and controversy currently trailing the release of names of successful applicants in the 2017 N-Power recruitment exercise seem not to be cooling off as another disgruntled applicant, Yusuf Adeola has written to Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo accusing the management of N-Power of bias and partiality in the conduct of the recruitment exercise and demanding immediate investigation into the allegations.

There have been several complaints and outcry since N-Power, the social investment programme of the federal government of Nigeria released shortlist of successful applicants into the 2017 graduate recruitment of the scheme; with many accusing the management of N-Power of aiding unqualified person to benefit to the disappointment of suitably qualified graduates.

READ ALSO: Anambra N-Power Beneficiaries Keep Vigil In Hotel To Secure Their Device, Blame Distributors For Poor Handling

The latest is coming from Yusuf Adeola, an unsuccessful applicant who has written Nigeria's Vice President demanding immediate investigation into the several allegations leveled against N-Power in connection with their handling of the 2017 graduate recruitment exercise.

In his open letter published on a social media channel Thursday November 28, 2017 and addressed to the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, Mr Adeola said he decided to address his grievances to the Vice President whose office is responsible for the activities of N-Power.

Mr Adeola wrote: "I choose to direct my letter to you and your office, being responsible for activities of the Social Investment Programme. This scheme which is a timely intervention programme initiated by your government in fulfillment of its cardinal campaign pledge to provide succour to the unemployed youths and take our unemployed graduates of streets.

READ ALSO: Confusion! 2017 N-Power Applicant Threatens To Join Armed Robbery Gang Over Failure To Make Pre-Selection List

"I hope it has come to the notice of the Vice President that the recently released list of successful applicants that was supposed to provide succour to the youths has left many applicants in frustration and disappointment. 

He noted that while President Mohammadu Buhari and the APC-led federal government should be commended for initiating the scheme, it was important for the Vice President to note that the usual irregularities that characterize government recruitment in Nigeria was very evident in the 2017 N-Power recruitment exercise.

READ ALSO: 2017 Recruitment: How N-Power Favoured SSCE Holders, Serving Corps Members, Undergraduates, Others Against Genuinely Qualified Jobless Graduates

"It's interesting for the Vice President to note that the reason that led many eligible candidates to ignore the 2016 N-Power recruitment is fear that they would not be recruited if they apply. But the integrity, transparency and fairness that characterized the 2016 recruitment exercise inspired and arouse the interest of many to have faith and participated actively in this 2017 recruitment exercise.

"That is why from the initial stage, because of the belief and confidence I have in the sheme, even after the release of the successful applicants, I resisted all urge to draw your office's attention to the magnitude of allegations of anomalies raised by prospective N-Power applicants. But I only decided to bring this matter to public scrutiny after reading through a number of enraged comment posted on various N-Power social media accounts, being the only medium provided by N-Power for disseminating information to volunteers about the scheme.

READ ALSO: 2017 Recruitment: Pre-Selected Serving Youth Corps Member Writes N-Power, Demands Extension Of physical Verification Duration

While pointing out that more people are accusing N-Power of complicity and bias, Mr Adeola said it has become necessary for N-Power to rise to the occasion and defend itself against the many allegations leveled against it.

"These allegations, even though some of them might not be completely true, not all of them should be swept under the carpet. That's why it is important for N-Power to debunk this allegations and publish a breakdown of number of slots given to each state of the federation, the letter read.