The leadership of National Image, a non-profit youth advocacy organisation has expressed confidence in Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s government to fully implement the 2016 budget signed into law two days ago.

National Image coordinator, Seyi Bamigbade who spoke to journalists Wednesday in Lagos expressed delight at the 2016 appropriation bill especially in respect of provisions for capital projects and youths empowerment.

According to the coordinator, the budget tagged “the people’s budget” if fully implemented will translate to a lot of development and create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.

“We have always had confidence in Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and that was why we gave him our full support during the electioneering period. We know he can do it and considering the provisions in his first full budget, we are not disappointed at all.

“The budget has a lot of goodies for the youths considering the amount of money appropriated for wealth creation and employment generation. We only want to appeal that those concerned in the implementation of these policies go about it truthfully and diligently,” he said.

The group also lauded Ambode for signing N25 billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) Bill into law; saying the fund has the potential of pulling thousands of youths out of unemployment markets.

It will be recalled that Ambode had prior to his election promised to establish an ETF scheme to address the challenges of unemployment in the state.

According to the governor, each year, the state government would inject N6.25 billion into the fund for a period of four years, making N25 billion cumulatively.

He added that a board of trustees would be announced in due course to manage the fund, saying that members of the board shall be outside the purview of government.

Source:  The Nation