Empowerment
Humanitarian minister reacts to malicious, false reports on diversion of NSIP
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has described a group that called itself “APC Initiative for Good Governance” as fictitious and belly-aching detractors who she accused of publishing a malicious and manifestly false report against her.
The group had leveled some allegations against the minister ranging from diversion of the National Social Investment Program(NSIP) meant for the entire country to Bauchi State to execute spouses gubernatorial ambition to dereliction of duty and relocating to Bauchi to push for the political interest of her husband, Abubakar Sadique.
A Statement that was issued on Friday by her special adviser on media Nneka Ikem Anibeze said “Ordinarily, the Ministry would not have expended its time and energy or given credence to the malicious report by responding to the hopeless group of detractors, but for the sake of putting the records straight.
been drawn to a by a fictitious group that call itself the Bauchi based group in a statement signed by one Nasiru Cigari alleged that “Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq diverted Social Investment Programmes meant for the entire country to Bauchi State.
“It also accused the Minister of “abandoning her office and relocating to Bauchi to push the political interest of her husband, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Sadique (Rtd), who is contesting the 2023 governorship of Bauchi state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
However, Anibeze indicated that
“Sadiya Umar Farouq is a detribalized Nigerian politician, mother and wife, philanthropist and devout Muslim.
“She spreads love evenly to the poor and vulnerable regardless of their state of origin, tribe or religion.
“Sadiya Umar Farouq is a native of Zamfara state and married to a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Sadique. By virtue of her marriage to an indigene of Bauchi state, the full rights of any Bauchi woman have been bestowed on her. “Therefore, the unregistered and unknown APC Initiative for Good Governance group cannot stop her from reaping or sowing the seeds of development in her husband’s state to the extent of its rightful share from the Ministry she heads, neither can their mischievous falsehood prevent her from supporting the political interest of her husband.
According to the Statement, “At no time did Umar Farouq divert Social Investment Programmes meant for the 36 states and the FCT to Bauchi, nor did she ever abandon the responsibilities in her office to relocate to Bauchi.
“On the contrary, she has been working tirelessly and assiduously to ensure that no vulnerable Nigerian is left to go hungry, and to also lift them higher than where she met them.
Anibeze quoted the minister to have categorically said she will not be deterred by belly-aching detractors who will stop at nothing to derail the lofty Social Investment Programmes of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has promised to lift 100 million vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.
“Since the creation of the Ministry in August 2019, at least 20 million Nigerians have so far been empowered through various programmes and initiatives of the Ministry.
“These includes the
upskilling of 1,064,774 youths in the graduate and non graduate programmes under the N-Power scheme, of which the number of beneficiaries in Bauchi state ranked 11th out the 36 states and the FCT. “The highest number of beneficiaries are from Benue, Delta, Enugu, FCT, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Osun, Oyo and Rivers states before Bauchi.
“Under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, a total of 9.9 million children from primary 1 to 3 in 53,000 public schools nationwide are currently being fed one hot nutritious meal every school day, with Bauchi state being the 4th highest in terms of benefitting number of primary schools behind Kano, Benue and Kaduna states.
“In addition, Kano state has the highest number of children being fed, followed by Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Jigawa, Benue before Bauchi.
“The Hon Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary, recently flagged off the Cash Grant for Vulnerable Groups on July 4, 2022 in Oshogbo, Osun state. The faceless group may wish to explain to it’s followers, why Hajiya Sadiya Farouq did not start the distribution of Cash to Vulnerable Groups in Bauchi State.
“The Hon. Minister immediately after flagging off the Cash Grant for Vulnerable Groups left for Saudi Arabia to perform her religious rites with permission from Mr. President, and is expected back in office this week.
“We cannot help the APC Initiative for Good Governance if the group is terrified or intimidated by the profile and giant strides of an unperturbed Minister, whose primary focus is to deliver on her mandate in the Ministry.”
Empowerment
Again, Obi doles out N60m to educational institutions in Anambra
***Canvasses for health, education as keys to poverty eradication
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General elections Peter Obi, has again donated N60 million to two educational institutions in Anambra State.
The effort is to strengthen health and education sectors he considers essential for lifting people out of poverty.
During a visit on Monday, Obi presented N50 million to Peter University in Achina and later donated N10 million to the College of Nursing Sciences in Adazi Nnukwu.
Just on Thursday last week Obi had donated N60m to support local institutions; N50m to the University on the Niger (UNINIGER) in Umunya, the university’s Iyi-Enu campus, to aid its expansion and infrastructure goals.
He also visited the School of Nursing at Iyienu Mission Hospital in Ogidi, where he contributed an additional N10 million to support healthcare training.
Writing on his X-handle on Monday, Obi expressed that the contributions align with his longstanding commitment to fostering a productive Nigeria. “Health and education are the cornerstones of development,” Obi remarked.
“A nation cannot progress without a healthy and educated workforce.” He highlighted the importance of prioritizing the future of Nigeria’s youth, given the country’s predominantly young population.
The donations are part of Obi’s broader vision of building a “New Nigeria” by investing in critical sectors that address poverty and improve citizens’ quality of life. He emphasized that such investments are crucial for creating a nation where citizens can contribute productively to economic growth and development.
Obi also extended gratitude to the proprietors, management, staff, and students of both institutions, commending their dedication to the fields of health and education.
His message of hope and commitment concluded with a reaffirmation of his belief that a “New and Productive Nigeria is Possible.”
Empowerment
Reps member Launches ICT Hub in Ibadan to Promote Digital Literacy
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology, and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide, has inaugurated a cutting-edge ICT Hub at Oba Abass Aleshinloye Secondary School in Eleyele, Ibadan. This development, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aims to boost digital literacy and broaden educational opportunities for students in the area.
The ICT Hub, equipped with modern computers, high-speed internet, and essential software, reflects Hon. Olajide’s vision of a tech-driven Nigeria. Tolu Mustapha, Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, highlighted that the facility aligns with the Oyo State Government’s commitment to improving technological access and educational quality, especially within the Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West Federal Constituency.
“This ICT Hub isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s a doorway to new possibilities,” Mustapha stated. “It’s designed to equip our youths with the skills they need to excel in a tech-centric future, fostering a self-sustaining and innovative socio-economic environment.”
The hub will primarily serve students at Oba Abass Aleshinloye Secondary School but is open to neighboring schools, encouraging a collaborative learning environment.
Workshops and training sessions are also planned to maximize the hub’s benefits for students and teachers alike.
By establishing the ICT Hub, Hon. Olajide fulfills a campaign promise and contributes to Nigeria’s journey toward a technology-driven economy. This project, he emphasized, is part of an effort to prepare Nigerian youth for success in a global digital landscape.
Empowerment
Businessman empowers 50 youths, women with strategic business training in Gombe
By Friday Idachaba
A Businessman, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi (Majin Dukku), has sponsored 50 youths and women in strategic business training and empowerment on Agricultural value chain in Livestock, in Dukku Local Government of Gombe State.
Addressing newsmen at the end of the three-day programme which was held at Mohammad Inuwa Yahaya Hall, Dukku, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi said that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from Dukku town and its environs.
He said that the three-day programme was organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) Zaria in collaboration with AMRAH Farms Nigeria Limited.
The traditional title holder of Majin-Dukku expressed satisfaction with the success of the training programme and charged the participants to put the knowledge acquired into proper use in order to have stable and viable sources of livelihood.
In his remarks, the Community representative, Hon. Abdulkadir Abubakar Alkali, urged the participants to take advantage of the training in finding their way into businesses capable of improving their standard of living.
Hon. Abdulkadir also urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items of empowerment given them as he assured that more empowerment programmes were on the way for the good Dukku people.
Earlier in his address, Dr Ayinla John, representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and NAPRI, commended the facilitator for his support and developmental efforts in the community.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity accorded them to improve their livelihood and wellbeing.
In his remarks, Alhamdullilah Bello A. Tahir, Director, AMRAH Farms Nig. Ltd, represented by Mallam Suberu Ahmed Tijani, urged the beneficiaries to make use of the training programme to develop themselves and become self-reliant.
He expressed optimism that the skills acquired would improve their standard of living as he appealed to the beneficiaries to grow day-old chicks rather than sell them off for quick money as some individuals do.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Class Governor, Bappah Ladan and his Deputy Umukulsum Abubakar thanked the Facilitator and expressed their gratitude.
They attested to the fact that the training exposed them to new ways of enhancing their businesses and appealed to other well-meaning individuals in the society to emulate the Majin-Dukku to initiate laudable projects that make direct impact on the society.
At the end of the training programme, each participant was given a Carton of day old chicks (50), 50 kg feeds, drinkers, feeders, drugs, medication and cash support. (Ends)
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