Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has announced
a job creation scheme for 700 women by her NGO, Women for Change and
Development Initiative, WCDI.
President Goodluck Jonthan’s wife, Patience made this known
on Monday while speaking at the landscaping, tree planting and beatification of
the Airport Road in Abuja.
She further disclosed that a private organisation named
Kashton Concepts, will handle the remuneration of the women, that the exercise was "a good approach towards attaining a sustainable environment of which is in line with Goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals".
"Indeed, this was the principal subject of the Earth Summit that attracted the whole World to Rio De Janairo, Brazil, in October 2012".
"It would be seen then that this tree-planting exercise serves the dual purpose of protecting the environment and ensuring the overall well being of man".
The First Lady further stressed the need for a beautiful environment, adding "what the world sees is your environment. The world knows Abuja is one of the fastest growing cities and so its beautification should be taken seriously by all and that is why the FCT Minister is working hard to achieving this during his tenure."
"I also want to urge all state governors' wives to replicate this in their states and encourage wives of local government chairmen to do same in the local goverment councils."
Some of the women spoke and expressed happiness toward the opportunity created by the beautification exercise;
Ene Agbo, an applicant from the North Central Zone, said she was overwhelmed by the job opportunity provided by the First Lady.
"I am happy to be employed even if it's for a short period. My family and I will be empowered for the next one year"
Amina Auwalu forom the North Western Zone, said she had been a grassroots politician for the past ten years, adding that after election, nobody remembered them. According to her, this is the first time I am benefiting from the government and I am grateful.
Obebem Ugochukwu, from the South-Eastern Zone said that she was affected by the recent floods. "I was still thinking of how to pick up the pieces of my life together when this opportunity came. I thank Go."
The 700 women will be with WCDI for at least a year and would be paid a monthly salary of N20,000 each.
"Indeed, this was the principal subject of the Earth Summit that attracted the whole World to Rio De Janairo, Brazil, in October 2012".
"It would be seen then that this tree-planting exercise serves the dual purpose of protecting the environment and ensuring the overall well being of man".
The First Lady further stressed the need for a beautiful environment, adding "what the world sees is your environment. The world knows Abuja is one of the fastest growing cities and so its beautification should be taken seriously by all and that is why the FCT Minister is working hard to achieving this during his tenure."
"I also want to urge all state governors' wives to replicate this in their states and encourage wives of local government chairmen to do same in the local goverment councils."
Some of the women spoke and expressed happiness toward the opportunity created by the beautification exercise;
Ene Agbo, an applicant from the North Central Zone, said she was overwhelmed by the job opportunity provided by the First Lady.
"I am happy to be employed even if it's for a short period. My family and I will be empowered for the next one year"
Amina Auwalu forom the North Western Zone, said she had been a grassroots politician for the past ten years, adding that after election, nobody remembered them. According to her, this is the first time I am benefiting from the government and I am grateful.
Obebem Ugochukwu, from the South-Eastern Zone said that she was affected by the recent floods. "I was still thinking of how to pick up the pieces of my life together when this opportunity came. I thank Go."
The 700 women will be with WCDI for at least a year and would be paid a monthly salary of N20,000 each.
“Kashton Concept Ltd has also requested that WCDI provides
700 women to be employed and paid on this project by the company for at least
one year,” the First Lady said.