In a compelling plea for the continuation of the N-Power program, the ProActive Northern Initiative (PANI) has cautioned the Federal Government against suspending any part of the Social Investment Programme, emphasizing the pivotal role N-Power has played in providing jobs and deterring Northern youth from extremist ideologies.
Comrade Isa Aliyu Musa, the convener of PANI, expressed their vehement opposition to vilifying the Northern leadership and the suspension of the N-Power program, calling such actions not only immoral and illegal but also abhorrent to their sensibilities.
The N-Power program, initiated in 2016 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been a lifeline for many young Nigerians, especially in the north, offering employment and skills development opportunities.
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Under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, led by Sadiya Umar Farouq, various social intervention programs were launched, including N-Power, National Home-Grown School Feeding, Conditional Cash Transfer, and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program.
Farouq’s tenure saw substantial progress in addressing issues like education access for children affected by conflict, malnutrition among young children, and support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the northeast.
PANI lamented the sudden announcement of N-Power’s suspension, fearing it would adversely affect the livelihoods of many young Nigerians and undermine the program’s role in instilling purpose and direction, keeping youth engaged in productive activities, and deterring criminal behavior and extremist ideologies.
With the Northern region grappling with security concerns, the N-Power program was a strategic tool to address underlying economic and social factors contributing to insecurity.
PANI warns that the suspension could create a void susceptible to negative influences, exacerbating security challenges.
The fragile security situation in Northern Nigeria coupled with the suspension of the N-Power program poses significant challenges to the region’s development and stability.
PANI added that empowering youth through N-Power is crucial for regional stability, urging the government to reconsider its decision, invest in program expansion, and uphold the progress it has fostered in Northern Nigeria.
