N-POWER: A Call For Equity And Fairness, By Ola Ariyo

As volunteers under the N-Power scheme, we commend President Muhammadu Buhari and his team for the invention, which has helped us in no small measure to contribute to our society and also gain some valuable skills.

However, the news on plan by the federal government to disengage volunteers on the scheme came as a shock to us, especially Batch B, who are still in our 20th month of enrollment on the scheme. While we understand that the scheme was supposed to last 24 months, but we are not unaware that volunteers on Batch A have spent a cumulative 40 months on enrollment.

That, we note should at least apply to us on the Batch B stream of the scheme so as to ensure equity and fairness. We’re persuaded by President Muhammadu Buhari disdain for injustice and it is our understanding that just as Batch A, we volunteers on Batch B of the scheme should be allowed to spend the same months, whether 40 months, or if more, as they may eventually spend before disenrolled.

We appeal to the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, to put equity and fairness into consideration in deciding who should remain on the scheme. As volunteers on Batch B, we have no doubt that our appeal will be favourably considered, and just like volunteers on Batch A stream, we would be treated equitably.

Thank you and kind regards.