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The Chairman, Ogun State Special Public Works, Senator Gbenga Obadara, has revealed that four doctoral and 200 master’s degree holders were among the 20,000 applicants in the state.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had few months ago approved the employment of 774,000 workers as part of efforts to cushion the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the programme, Nigerians, who will be unskilled workers, will earn N20, 000 each on a monthly basis for three months.
At least, 1,000 workers will be recruited from each of the 774 local government areas of the country.
Obadara, who spoke to journalists about the programme in Ogun State said: “Four PhD and master’s degree holders have applied.”
He said the committee started distribution of forms four weeks ago and that almost 20,000 persons from the 20 local government areas had obtained the forms.
Speaking on the challenges facing the committee, Obadara described the 20,000 slots allotted to the state as “a drop of in the ocean.”
“Poverty is ravaging. Unemployment is extremely on the high rise. People with master’s degrees and even PhD degrees are applying for 20,000 jobs. That is the problem. It cannot cover everybody. We cannot blame the Federal Government,” he added.