First lady Patience Jonathan, on Monday, announced that
her NGO, Women for Change and Development Initiative (WCDI), would employ a
total of 700 women this year.
her NGO, Women for Change and Development Initiative (WCDI), would employ a
total of 700 women this year.
Jonathan spoke in Abuja on Monday at the landscaping, tree planting and
beautification of the Airport Road.
beautification of the Airport Road.
According to her, Kashton Concepts, a private organisation, will be in
charge of remuneration of the women during the period.
charge of remuneration of the women during the period.
“I am happy to note that Kashton Concept Ltd. is collaborating with one of
my NGOs in this laudable effort to beautify and protect the environment of
Abuja,” she said. “Kashton Concept Ltd. has also requested that the Women for
Change and Development Initiative provide 700 women to be employed and paid on
this project by the company for at least one year.’’
my NGOs in this laudable effort to beautify and protect the environment of
Abuja,” she said. “Kashton Concept Ltd. has also requested that the Women for
Change and Development Initiative provide 700 women to be employed and paid on
this project by the company for at least one year.’’
The president’s wife added that the exercise was “a good approach towards
attaining a sustainable environment which is in line with Goal 7 of the
Millennium Development Goals’’.
attaining a sustainable environment 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,” she said. “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. 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 government
councils.’’
the whole World to Rio de Janairo, Brazil, in October 2012,” she said. “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. 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 government
councils.’’
Some of the women expressed happiness about the employment opportunity
created by the beautification exercise.
created by the beautification exercise.
Ene Agbo, an applicant from the North Central Zone, said: “I am happy to
be employed even if it is for a short period. My family and I will be empowered
for the next one year.’’
be employed even if it is for a short period. My family and I will be empowered
for the next one year.’’
Amina Auwalu from the North Western Zone, said she had been a grassroots
politician for the past ten years, adding that after election, nobody
remembered them. “This is the first time I am benefitting from the government
and I am grateful,” she said.
politician for the past ten years, adding that after election, nobody
remembered them. “This is the first time I am benefitting from the government
and I am grateful,” she said.
Another employee, Obebem Ugochukwu, from the South-Eastern Zone said that
she was affected by the recent flooding. “I was still thinking of how to pick
up the pieces of my life together when this opportunity came. I thank God.’’
she was affected by the recent flooding. “I was still thinking of how to pick
up the pieces of my life together when this opportunity came. I thank God.’’
The 700 women are to be placed on a monthly salary of N20,000.
Source: Daily Times
