…Commends FG’s Social Investment programmes as over 3,000 benefit
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
IN line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which aims to uplift 50 million Nigerians from poverty annually, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has announced the establishment of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in the state.
Bello made the announcement on Tuesday at the official kick-off of the Federal Government’s Grant for Vulnerable programme under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Government House, Lokoja.
The governor described the establishment of the Ministry as a significant step aligned with the overarching vision of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, encapsulated in the #RenewedHope agenda.
The governor revealed that the necessary legal framework and legislative authority required for creation of the ministry had already been “meticulously” addressed.
The Grant for Vulnerable Groups, specifically targeted at the most economically disadvantaged members of the society, will provide beneficiaries with a cash sum of N20,000.
Governor Bello commended President Tinubu’s visionary approach and genuine commitment to combating poverty in Nigeria.
He asserted that the grant would effectively contribute to the administration’s goal of pulling millions of Nigerians out of the poverty bracket as he highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by his administration to reduce and eliminate poverty in Kogi State.
The initiatives according to him, include free education in primary and secondary schools, quarterly distribution of food palliatives, and free healthcare program for pregnant women and children.
The Government, he said, had in addition undertaken the responsibility of covering examination fees for public school students, releasing funds such as the N497 million disbursed for the 2024 WAEC fees in October.
The Governor attributed the policies to the administration’s Zero-out-School-Children initiative, which has yielded substantial results.
He expressed confidence that the Governor-elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo, would build upon the achievements and strengthen ties with the Federal and Local Governments for the overall welfare of the people.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Betta Edu, Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, congratulated the beneficiaries and commended Kogi women for their unwavering support for the APC-led administration at both the Federal and State levels.
She noted that beyond the Grant for Vulnerable Groups, the Federal Government had implemented over 20 social programmes targeting poverty alleviation, food security, and human capital development.
The Minister revealed that, as part of the inaugural phase in Kogi State, a total of 3,000 individuals benefited from the programme.
The State Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris Asiru, lauded the Federal Government’s initiative, and commended Governor Yahaya Bello for rolling out numerous initiatives to combat poverty, socio-economic inequality, and enhance security in the state.
