Senate seeks clemency for Ekweremadu ahead of sentencing in UK
The bill was sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Salisu Shuaib.
The legislation got the support of the majority of the lawmakers during plenary.
The bill is aimed at creating part-time jobs for unemployed graduates with a view to giving them the opportunity to acquire job experience and earn stipends during the period.
Shuaib, while leading a debate on the bill, emphasised the need to create the unemployment benefit scheme.
The Senator explained that the scheme would restore the hope of youths and unemployed graduates by giving them the opportunity to acquire working experience before securing a full-time employment.
He added that the scheme would also reduce criminal activities in the country because many Nigerian youths would be engaged.
Shuaib disclosed that the scheme would create a database for unemployed graduates and would be more effective in its intervention programmes than existing government agencies such as the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Industrial Trust Fund (ITF).
The majority of the senators who contributed to the debate supported the establishment of the scheme.
Ahmed Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa West) supported the establishment of the scheme.
Wadada said that the focus should be on creating an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and consequently create jobs.
Okechukwu Ezea (Enugu North ) also supported the establishment of the scheme.
Ezea lamented the high rate of unemployment in the country.
He suggested that the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) scheme could be expanded to cover the unemployment scheme.
He said, “In my constituency, I face a barrage of demands for jobs. Our youths are impoverished.
“Some wander for jobs until they pass the employment age. It is an emergency situation. It should not be suspended until the enabling environment is created,” Eze said.
