Once again
, we're being regaled with unsavory tale of sleaze which like hungry snakes have swallowed the eggs of SURE-P GIS, an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, to stem the tide of youth unemployment in the country. Now, a whooping sum of 500 billion Naira of funds earmarked for the Program has been confirmed 'missing' by the Senate Committee on SURE-P! And to add vinegar to impunity, minister co-ordinating the Scheme, Dr, Okonjo Iweala and her agents spurned the Senate's summon. What are they running from? The SURE-P GIS Scheme is an interventionist and palliative measure by the Federal Government to douse the gathering fire of protest on the break of subsidy removal on petroleum products in January 2012 in Nigeria. Funds got from the subsidy were supposedly to be reinvested and injected into the economy through the Scheme- hence the name: Subsidy Reinvestment & Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), with the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) as a limb of the ' reinvestment and empowerment' programme. Specifically, the Graduate Internship Scheme of SURE-P was created to absorb unemployed graduates- by attaching them to firms for a year to improve their work experience and employability; at a meagre stipend of 25,000 Naira per month. Sadly, it appears that all that paper-talk and talk-shop is simply another conduit pipe to siphon funds set aside for youth development. It's no news that unemployment rate in Nigeria peaks at 35% based on NBS data; especially amongst youthful rank which constitute over 60% of Nigeria's 170 million population. One wonders: with such demographic blessing of booming youth, energetic and smart- why are we not engaging them gainfully? A large population is a plus to any economy; and it gets better where youthful energy is purposefully harnessed; but it could be a curse if these young minds and hands are left straying like a herd of sheep with no shepherd. And Heaven weeps for idle minds and hands- the Devil's pawn. Unemployment is a disease; it robs the mind of creative agility, and enfeebles the body and worst of all, devalues and indignifies the human psyche. It has the magic of transforming a saint into criminal stooped in worship of the belly-goddess. Retrospectively, one had hoped that the Scheme will be run with all sincerity, focus and energy so as to lessen the burden of unemployment from our youths who are fast taking to unworthy enterprises to save face and belly; but bang, it's trapped in the pit of primitive malfeasance.Late last year, at a Sensitization Forum in Makurdi, SURE-P team alleged that states have been receiving funds for the Scheme; and the query is: who has been paid under the Scheme in any of the states? Can I see a hand? No one! Only forms and forms get filled. No internship, no payment; only fat officials! What's really unnerving about the SURE-P GIS drama is the signal it sends to our exploding youths: Government deals are waxed in deceit and served in sleaze; take your destiny into your hands; Government is for those in Government. But thanks to our stars- there are many paths to the market. And yes! our youths will find their way there. Yet let it be known that a Government that ignores the cries and plight of its youth is toying with a time bomb!!!
