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NSIP bill gets FEC approval, National Flood Emergency preparedness plan also

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The Federal Executive Council has approved the National Social Investment Programme (Establishment) Bill, 2022.

The Council which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at its meeting on Wednesday Sept 7,2022 resolved that NSIP should be backed by legislation to ensure its continuity and sustainability.
The Bill is seeking to establish the National Social Investment Programme Agency for the management and implementation of the National Social Investment Programmes.
The Bill if enacted will provide the necessary statutory backing for the existing NSIP under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
In her presentation to the Council, Sadiya Umar Farouq described NSIP as a reliable tool for solving poverty problems in Nigeria.

“NSIP serves as an enduring legacy of this administration and is necessary to be backed by legislation at this time. Thus, the urgent need for Council to approve the NSIP Bill which seeks to provide statutory backing as conceptualised and established by this Administration.

“The NSIP is directly and indirectly impacting the lives of poor Nigerians through its four cluster programmes namely: the N-POWER Programme, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) and the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (CCT).
“These programmes are designed to serve as various forms of social safety nets specifically targeting those at the bottom of the social ladder or those who require some form of support to enable them to become productive members of the society and finally prevent more people from falling below the poverty line.
“The submission is to create the National Social Investment Programme as an agency, in line with Mr President’s agenda to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by the year 2030”.

NSIP will be implemented in full partnership with all the 36 State Governments and the FCT while Council also approved acceptable source of funding for NSIP through a budgetary allocation and 5% of recovered and repatriated funds .

In a related development, the
National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for Nigeria was also approved.

According to Minister Umar Farouq, the plan is expected to help build resilience of Nigerian communities to severe flood incidences by providing a common and strategic reference point for flood planning and response for all the tiers of government, response organizations and most vulnerable communities.

“The Plan promotes risk reduction through early warning and early action arrangements and effective use of technology for forecasting and surveillance by mandated organizations. The strategic outcomes of the plan are that the nation is more resilient to future flood events, effective responses to flood events and an improved understanding of the wider impacts of flood on national development”.

The plan when enacted into law will ensure that all relevant MDAs understand their roles and responsibilities before, during and after flood incidences, establish clear threshold for flood emergency response arrangements,
provide clarity on the means of improving resilience and minimizing the impact of flood events and establish short, medium and long-term asset that will provide continuous improvement in flood emergency management in Nigeria.

The Bills will now be sent to the National Assembly for legislation and passage to law.

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Concerned Religious Prayer Forum Responds to Criticism of National Prayer Initiative

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The Concerned Religious Prayer Forum has issued a statement clarifying its mission and responding to recent criticisms surrounding its seven-day national prayer initiative.

Established as a non-governmental organization on January 9, 2024, the Forum emphasizes that it is an independent group composed of citizens motivated by a shared desire to promote peace, unity, and prosperity in Nigeria.
The initiative has drawn scrutiny, particularly due to its involvement of high-profile figures, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, as leaders of the prayer effort.

In the statement, Director General, Chief Segun Balogun Afolorunikan of the Forum reiterated that the prayer campaign is not government-driven or politically motivated, but rather a spiritual call for Nigerians to come together and seek divine intervention for the country’s challenges.
The Forum stated that it was not seeking political endorsement but instead believed that the involvement of such respected figures would inspire broader national participation.

Citing religious scriptures, the Forum stressed the role of prayer in supporting and strengthening efforts for national progress.
The Bible, according to 2 Chronicles 7:14, encourages prayer as a means of healing and unity: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face… then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Similarly, the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186) reminds believers that “I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.”

The Forum further addressed critics who questioned the efficacy of prayer in resolving the nation’s issues, insisting that divine intervention does not replace the need for diligent work but complements the efforts of the people. “This initiative is not about replacing hard work but about seeking spiritual guidance and collective unity to overcome the challenges facing the nation,” the statement read.

Encouraging all citizens and leaders to support the prayer initiative, the Forum called for unity in Nigeria’s pursuit of peace and prosperity. It urged Nigerians to set aside differences and work together in both practical and spiritual ways to help heal and build the nation.

The Concerned Religious Prayer Forum concluded its statement by inviting Nigerians to join in prayer, stating, “As we strive for national progress, prayer continues to serve as a catalyst for peace, growth, and development in Nigeria.”

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Northern Senators applauds Tinubu’s Order to Release Detained Minors

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***Emphasize Need for Youth Welfare

The Northern Senators Forum, led by Chairman Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive action in ordering the release of minors detained during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The forum expressed appreciation for Tinubu’s directive to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to expedite the release, calling it a demonstration of the President’s commitment to youth welfare and justice.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to the National Update, Yar’adua acknowledged the President’s leadership in addressing this sensitive issue, emphasizing that Tinubu’s prompt response reflects his dedication to safeguarding the rights of young Nigerians.
“This decision demonstrates the President’s commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of our youth,” Yar’adua stated, commending Tinubu for prioritizing the release of the minors held in detention.

Yar’adua also praised Northern leaders who have been actively advocating for the minors’ release, crediting their persistent efforts with bringing the issue to national attention and ensuring fair treatment for the young detainees. He noted that their advocacy was instrumental in prompting a rapid response from the federal government.

As part of the forum’s statement, Yar’adua called on Northern leaders to continue prioritizing youth welfare and development. He emphasized that creating a safe and supportive environment for young people is essential for fostering Nigeria’s growth and stability.
“It is essential that we create an environment where our children can grow and thrive, free from harm and exploitation,” he said. “Our youth need the support and resources to become active contributors to Nigeria’s development.”

The Northern Senators Forum reaffirmed its commitment to policies that protect and promote youth welfare and urged a nationwide focus on youth education and safety. Yar’adua concluded the statement with a call for cooperation among all levels of government and communities, stressing the importance of investing in the nation’s youth for a more prosperous future.

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Timi Frank commends Tinubu over release of detained Minors

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***Calls for Compensation, Justice

In a recent development, Comrade Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has publicly praised President Bola Tinubu’s directive to release minors detained for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

Frank called the move a “step in the right direction” and urged the government to do more to address the broader concerns of Nigerians who have faced repercussions for protesting against government policies.

In a statement from Abuja, Frank acknowledged Tinubu’s past involvement in activism, recalling the President’s role in protests, including during Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement and the 2012 demonstrations against the removal of fuel subsidies by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He encouraged Tinubu to extend the recent release order to all detainees held for expressing opposition to government policies, framing this as an alignment with Tinubu’s own history of activism.

Frank did not stop at calling for the release of detainees; he also urged the President to reconsider recent economic policies, such as the floating of the naira and removal of fuel subsidies, which he argued have contributed to widespread economic hardship.

“We commend the President for taking this positive step,” Frank said. “However, we urge him to reconsider the policies that are exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.”

The activist also called on the Federal Government to compensate the released minors, arguing that they suffered “violations of their fundamental human rights” and endured “dehumanizing” conditions during their months-long detention without trial.
Frank proposed financial support for the minors and their families, as well as scholarships and psychological counseling to help them recover from the trauma of their detention.
Frank’s statement emphasized the need for accountability, urging the President to launch a probe into why these minors were held for over 90 days without prompt intervention from the intelligence community.
He specifically called for investigations into the roles of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Commissioners of Kano and Kaduna states, where the minors were detained.
He warned against any attempt to “sweep the probe under the rug” and pledged to monitor the situation to ensure public transparency.

“This probe must be thorough, and officers found complicit should be held accountable,” he said. Frank emphasized that this is necessary to restore public confidence in law enforcement and ensure such detentions do not recur.

He further appealed for government intervention to ease the reentry of the minors into society, suggesting reputable boarding schools and the assistance of professional counselors to help them overcome the distress of their experiences.

“By taking these steps, we can heal past wounds and work towards a more compassionate society for all Nigerians,” Frank concluded.

Frank, who also serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, has previously expressed support for policies he views as beneficial to Nigerians while holding the government accountable on issues of rights and governance. His recent remarks signal a continuing commitment to advocating for the protection and welfare of young Nigerians, particularly those impacted by political or social issues.

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