TheCable

Some Nigerians have taken to social media to react after Festus Keyamo, minister of state for labour and employment, engaged in a shouting match with members of the national assembly over the planned recruitment of 774,000 people by the federal government.

On Monday, the minister inaugurated committees made up of 20 people from each state, which would be in charge of engaging the 774,000 citizens in a special works programme implemented by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

There was however drama on Tuesday at the national assembly where Keyamo was involved in a shouting match with some lawmakers who faulted the recruitment exercise.

While the lawmakers had accused the minister of hijacking the programme from NDE, Keyamo fired back, saying they were the ones trying to take over the project.

In a statement after the incident, the lawyer also accused the joint national assembly committees on labour of challenging President Muhammadu Buhari.

The development has since sparked a plethora of reactions on social media platforms where some Nigerians registered their different opinions.

“Festus Keyamo did the right thing. Those 774,000 jobs should go to the people who need them, which are the unemployed people who need jobs to fend for themselves, not political loyalists who will receive them as rewards for their support or people who already have jobs,” a Twitter user said.

“They still want to dupe us of the #30,000 paying job. I’m ashamed of this country. God bless Keyamo for rejecting them of manipulating the 774,000 jobs,” another user said.

Here is what some Nigerians had to say:

Festus Keyamo did the right thing. Those 774,000 jobs should go to the people who need them, which are the unemployed people who need jobs to fend for themselves, not political loyalists who will receive them as rewards for their support or people who already have jobs.

— World Publicist (@IsimaOdeh) June 30, 2020

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They still want to dupe us of the #30,000 paying job…. I'm ashamed of this country. 😡

God bless KAYEMO for rejecting them of manipulating the 774,000 jobs

— PÉTÉRÙ OF IBADAN 🇳🇬 (@peter_pentane) June 30, 2020

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Nigerian lawmakers have NEVER walked any labour minister out of a hearing because millions of Nigerians are unemployed.

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But they walked Keyamo out today for "refusing to apologise" after a heated exchange over the control of 774,000 jobs worth N20,000/month.

Priorities!!!

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— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) June 30, 2020

774,000 Jobs na audio. Take a look around your surroundings. Read the news. Where do you think the Jobs will come from🤷🏽‍♂️. Y’all still beleive this country is functioning 🤦🏽‍♂️.

— Stephen A. (@stephdigital) June 30, 2020

The 774,000 jobs is Just a way for the influential ones to to provide jobs for their incompetent cronies and thugs. Know this, if the committee members were given slots, you won't see this drama. They are only exercising their power to demand for what they want

— Mr Ytte 💡 (@Ytte_dml) June 30, 2020

774,000 jobs for Nigerians I hear. Which sector? Job requirements? Target? I need more data to process this info else this is just another means to a fat loot.

— Ikemba Nwanaedo (@IkemNnagozie) June 30, 2020

@fkeyamo sounded it loud and clear ab initio, that nobody will be allowed to hijack this great 774, 000 jobs @MBuhari initiative meant for ordinary Nigerians. Lawmakers/Lawbreakers, do whatever you like, he stands by his words.

— Cecilia Okoroma (@CeciliaOkoroma) June 30, 2020

Politicians have hijacked plum jobs in CBN,NNPC,NPA etc and this one that they want to hijack Npower and & 774,000 jobs. Poor man don suffer. Even jobs have been politicised.@fkeyamo @NGRPresident @MBuhari @nassnigeria @NGRSenate

— Muhammad Al-Mahroof (@malmahroof37) June 30, 2020

why can't FG absolves the batch A and B into the 774,000 jobs about to be employed ? why is FG starving and depriving the Nigerians of their inheritance ? why am i a Nigerian? @MBuhari @ProfOsinbajo @fkeyamo @realFFK @SaharaReporters @channelstv

— Oluwaseun Onasanya F (@onasanya_f) June 30, 2020

I can't be the only one who thinks that if all Nigerians had the mentality of us tweeps, maybe jus maybe, some politicians would've had no choice but to tighten up or never run for office.
774,000 Jobs

— Ifeayolu Nnaedozie 💡 (@Ifeabuja1) June 30, 2020

https://twitter.com/OluseunAganna/status/1278050284615471104?s=20

774,000 jobs: Tinubu’s daughter, MC Oluomo, others to supervise FG’s recruitment.

Wonder shall never end. I told you MC Oluomo will still be a governor in Lagos.

— Papichulo (@ZinoMulla) June 30, 2020

MC Oluomo among the committee set up to coordinate the employment of youths based on 774,000 jobs to be created by the Fed Govt.
I'm thinking one day, Shekau of BH maybe an ambassador of this country.

— Gem Omojuwa (@omojuwagem) June 30, 2020

Looks like Festus Keyamo is rebuffing the National Assembly’s plan to corner the 774, 000 jobs meant for ordinary Nigerians. I love it.

— W.A. (@Waliyadeniran) June 30, 2020

Seeing some politicians scramble for the little 774,000 jobs aimed at the needy in Nigeria makes me cringe. How can one be so insensitively selfish? Can't they look away just this once? No nation blossoms without making her system numb to elites' influence. @fkeyamo,ride on! Sir.

— Kaycee Naze (@Kayceenaz) June 30, 2020

We are the cause of our problem in this country, if only those ones sitting down cluelessly joined keyamo in going against the secret meeting without camera.

Everyday for the thief, one day for the owner.

“774,000 Jobs”

— 👑LAWON👑 (@Sheyhunbabs) June 30, 2020