No fewer than 8,692 Zamfara youths on Tuesday became pioneer beneficiaries of Gov. Bello Matawalle’s newly introduced Social Investment Programme (SIP) in the state.
The Governor, who launched the programme at the state secretariat, said that the beneficiaries were drawn from across the 14 Local Government Areas of the state.
He said the beneficiaries, who would be posted to various sectors of the state economy like hospitals, schools, sanitation work, administration and social welfare outlets like orphanages and remand homes, would be on monthly stipends of N10,000.
He said their supervisors and coordinators would be paid N50,000 monthly.
Matawalle said, “The beneficiaries would be spread in various sectors of the state economy where they will gain more experience in their places of posting so that in the near future they can also turn out as employers of labour.”
He said the programme which is “dedicated to the glory of Allah, is the surest way in fighting youth restiveness in the state especially as my peace and reconciliation initiative has now been fully integrated into the society where banditry is now becoming history in the state.”
He expressed confidence that the scheme would ensure that every youth in the state is fully engaged as the process would be a continuous exercise.
He charged the beneficiaries to utilize the offer and shun hooliganism, social media mercenaries, hate speech spreaders and other social vices but to become agent of positive change in society.
