Distribution of SURE-P forms in Ekiti Obas palaces to show that we are not partisan - Chairman

By Lere Olayinka

Chairman of the Ekiti State Implimentation Committee (SIC) of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P), Rt. Hon. Femi Akinyemi has said that forms for the recruitment of beneficiaries of the Community Services, Youths and Women Employment Scheme were distributed in palaces of traditional rulers in the State to show that the programme was meant for everyone, irrespective of political affiliation.

Akinyemi, who was addressing the youths who thronged the palace of the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Ido-Osi Local Government, Oba Ilori Faboro, said those insinuating that the programme was for members of a particular political party were only playing dirty politics, aimed at denying Ekiti youths the opportunity of benefiting from the well-thought-out Federal Government programme.

Accompanied by the three senatorial coordinators of the programme, Mrs. Tosin Aluko (Central), Hon. Kayode Ogunsakin (South) and Hon. Dare Olaosebikan (North) and the State Director, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr Jumoke Oni, the Chairman reiterated that the programme was not designed for any political party.

He said 3,000 beneficiaries are to be recruited this month, while another 2,000 will be recruited in February, adding that a total of 15,000 will be recruited this year.

His words; "We choose to use the palaces of our traditional rulers so as to show to the whole world that the programme is not designed for members of any political party.

"The distribution is going on in all the Oba palaces in the headquarters of all the 16 Local Councils in the State.

"As usual, there have been media reports insinuating that only members of a certain political party are getting the forms. But you can all see for yourselves that no one is being discriminated against here.

"Therefore, I implore you all to be patient with us and get the forms. Make sure the forms are completed with all the required information and I can assure you all that selection of successful applicants will be done without political consideration.

"We are going to employ 15,000 this year and I can assure that even crime rate in Ekiti will be reduced and problems of unemployment solved considerably by the time this programme is fully implemented."