By Mary Agidi
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No fewer than 17,000 youths in Ondo State have been empowered with about N4.2 billion by the Federal Government through the N-Power programme introduced by  President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on job creation and youth empowerment, Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede who gave the figure while addressing the beneficiaries in Akure, explained that about N172million is being used to pay them monthly in the state, adding that the government has equally spent N15billion on the programme nationwide.

According to him, the gesture is in the fulfilment of President Buhari’s electioneering campaign promises to invest in the youths through empowerment and not on infrastructure alone.

He, however, charged them to explore the opportunity to become job creators by learning in their place of primary assignment and be punctual, adding that the empowerment enhancement initiative is on the way to connect them with opportunities.

He affirmed that no N-POWER beneficiary is being owned salary arrears in the state, and disclosed that any moment from now, their November salary will be paid.

Also addressing the beneficiaries, governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), stressed the need for continuity in order for other youths to benefit from the programme.

He enjoined them not to be selfish but to reciprocate the gesture by voting for President Buhari come 2019 to ensure the continuity of the programme.

The Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Public and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mrs. Bunmi Ademosu, said the N30,000 monthly allowance given to the beneficiaries in the last 24 months has been  utilised judiciously by many and has made job creators.

She however appealed to the Federal Government to increase the number of beneciaries in the State, while calling on the beneficiaries to give President Buhari another chance to continue.

A beneficiary, Mr. Orioye Benedict who is attached to Community Primary school, Ilepete testified that through N-Power programme, he has been able to establish a branded crayfish business, and he now supplys the school feeding programme in Ondo State.

Also sharing his testimony, Afolabi Akintunde explained that he had cultivated seven acres of plantain plantation through the money he acquired from the programme.