The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced the attachment of 53 unemployed graduates in Akwa Ibom to different corporate institutions in the state under the Graduates Attachment Programme (GAP).
Blueprint reports that posting letters were handed over to the beneficiaries after being given them orientation.
The state coordinator of NDE, Mr. Obegolu Obiora, disclosed this during the official flag-off of the Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP) at the Federal Secretariat in Uyo on Friday.
He explained that the Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP) is the vision of the federal government to address the unemployment menace among graduates of tertiary institutions in the country.
Obiora hinted after the three months internship will be accompanied by monthly stipends, adding that the opportunity will allow the beneficiaries to gather enough experience in the corporate entities being posted to.
He advised them to remain focused and committed to their duties, optimising that those found worthy in character and learning may be retained by the respective organizations they serve as it occurred in the past.
“I am delighted to welcome you all to this occasion of orientation and flag off of the 2023 Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP) in Akwa Ibom state.
The Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP) is a social workforce intervention designed to address graduate unemployment, by providing transient jobs to unemployed young graduates of tertiary institutions.
“It is the target of the National Directorate of Employment to create over 700 jobs for unemployed graduates of tertiary institutions in 12 states of the federation, of which Akwa Ibom State is one of them.
“Participants who prove their indispensability to the organization they serve, stand a chance of retention at the end of their internship.
“It will also afford the participants the opportunity of raising a small start-up capital for the micro business undertaking from their savings after the three months of internship,” he added.
The state coordinator admonished the beneficiaries to obey all rules and regulations in the organization they are posted.
He commended the director-general of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Fikpo, for graciously approving the programme, stressing that the move will help to bend the unemployment rate in the country.
Reacting to the gesture, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Emem-abasi Okon thanked the federal government and NDE for their resolve to reduce unemployment in the country through lofty programmes targeting at youth population.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Ubong Ben, the State Secretary of People Living with Disabilities (PLWD) also commended President Bola Tinubu led-Federal Government for including disabled persons in programmes in the country, adding the current administration looks optimistic for the disabled people.