“The SURE-P programme is aimed at creating employment for our women and youth,” Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory says.By Ata Udo

The Federal Government’s Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) would help create more jobs in the economy, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide, said on Thursday.

Ms. Akinjide said this while receiving members of the FCT Chapter of the Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN).

WOWICAN, which was established in 2006 by the Christian Association of Nigeria, consists of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Council of Churches in Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Organisation of African Instituted Churches and all evangelical churches.

According to the minister, the  SURE-P programme is targeted at creating more employers of labour in the country.

“The SURE-P programme is aimed at creating employment for our women and youth”, she said. “The women and youth will be trained and economically empowered to enable them be employers of labour. More jobs are expected to be created in the system through the SURE-P programme.”

The minister asked WOWICAN to support the empowerment programme which will be launched soon by the FCT Administration. She said the programme will achieve remarkable success and would positively impact the lives of the people.

Ms. Akinjide told the delegation that the FCT administration has already directed the chairmen of Area Councils in the Territory to open a dedicated account for the SURE-P funds, which would be utilized solely for wealth creation and provision of critical infrastructure in the area councils.

She enjoined the association to continue to pray for the peace and unity of Nigeria.

“As mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, it is our duty to pray for our leaders and country as the Lord has directed. We need to have unity of faiths – both Christians and our brothers and sisters who are Moslems need to be united in faith,” she said.

In her speech, the Chairperson of WOWICAN, Philomena Uche, lauded the minister for her developmental drive in the area councils, saying she deserves to be encouraged in order to sustain the ongoing infrastructural development in the satellite towns in the territory.

Ms. Uche extended the association’s gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for fulfilling his promise to reserve 35 per cent of the administration’s appointment for women.

The Association requested for a land in the FCT to build a befitting secretariat and dormitories to provide accommodation for its members during conventions and retreats.

“We also require a bus to convey our members to all area councils in the FCT and also attend national conventions when the need arises,” Ms. Uche added.