Permanency: 'You Are Faceless, Illegitimate' - FG Replies 2016 N-Power Leadership, Insists on Exit | CNR

The Federal Government on Tuesday reacted to the communiqué issued by the leadership of the 2016 N-Power beneficiaries, G-111 for Permanency, insisting that exiting the programme after two years is not negotiable.

G-111 for Permanency, a group rooting for absorption of 2016 N-Power volunteers into the federal civil service at the completion of their two year term in the scheme had at their meeting in Lagos last week issued a communiqué, explaining the rationale for their demand.

READ ALSO: Finally, 2016 N-Power Leadership Meet, Rejects Exit Package, Insist on Permanency 

The group had in the said communiqué argued that though they were not ignorant of the terms and conditions of the programme which allows beneficiaries to stay for two years, however maintained that their two years period in the scheme had exposed them to enormous skills and competence which the federal government should not risk losing, as such move will inflate the already high figure of unemployed people in the country and subject the ex-volunteers to untold hardship.

"We are aware that the Federal Government N-Power programme has a defined period of time it can accommodate beneficiaries. However, it is our considered position that since beneficiaries have within their stay in the scheme learn enormous skills and competence to provide quality service in teaching, healthcare, and agriculture sectors, they have qualified to be absorbed into the system currently suffering from acute staff shortage.

READ ALSO: N-Power 2016 Group Raises Alarm Over Uwais, Afolabi's 'Contradicting Stance' on Permanency 

"We maintain our carefully considered view that it is only by absorbing the 2016 beneficiaries that their good work and excellent performances can be consolidated and sustained. Throwing them back into the streets to start roaming for unavailable job will amount to the greatest disservice any responsible and people-oriented government can do to the citizens", the group had said in the communiqué.
But in a swift reaction to the issues raised by the group, the Federal Government on Tuesday said it stand by it's original agreement with beneficiaries which clearly stipulated the duration each beneficiary will spend the scheme.

Reacting through a statement posted on N-Power verified Facebook page and signed by the Senior  Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment, Afolabi Imoukhuede, the government said it does not recognize the group which it described as " illegitimate and faceless ".

"My attention has been drawn to a communiqué released by a group of 2016 N-Power Volunteers under the aegis of "G-111 for Permanency" and I think some of the issues raised demand my swift response as my office was particularly referenced in the communiqué.

READ ALSO: Permanency: 2017 Selected Beneficiary Attacks Existing Volunteers for Demanding Permanency, Vows to Frustrate Permanency Campaign 

"Firstly, I want to appreciate all 200,000 2016 N-Power beneficiaries for your remarkable contributions to fill the gap in the education, health and agricultural sectors in your various communities. Since you started in December 2016, you have contributed tremendously to national development. I also appreciate your sincerity by stating the fact that "have benefited so much" from the N-Power programme. It is however important to state categorically that the N-Power office do not recognize any Illegitimate group such as G-111 and would not deal with any of such faceless groups in that regard.

It reiterated its earlier stance that the programme is a volunteer programme of two years which does not give room such demand.

"With the youth in mind, the N-Power programme is a strategic component of the Federal Government's NSIP to serve as an employability enhancement opportunity for our young graduates. To accommodate more people in the scheme, the programme was designed to roll for a period of two years and this plan was at different times disclosed to all our beneficiaries even before their enrollment in the programme. It was designed like that so that at the end of every two years, we can accommodate other people who may be deserving of this lifeline as well", the statement read in part.

READ ALSO: Permanency: Hope Rises For Anambra N-Power Volunteers As Commissioner Takes Message To Gov Obiano 

N-Power therefore enjoined all N-Power beneficiaries to remain committed to their work and also seize the opportunity to gain experience that will make them self-reliant.