Empowerment
Umar-Farouq doles out cash grants, GEEP loans in Imo, Abia to over 7000 beneficiaries
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq
has flagged off disbursement of Cash Grants for Vulnerable Groups in Imo and Abia states.
A statement by her Media adviser Nnaka Ikem Anibeze said the disbursement Started on Saturday at the Concorde Hotel Owerri, alongside the Digitized Payment for Conditional Cash Transfer.
According to the statement, about 3,894 beneficiaries across the 27 Local Government Areas of the State are billed to receive a twenty thousand Naira one-off Cash Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Imo state while
about 4,738 beneficiaries were selected for the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme interest free loans.
In her address, the Minister stated that the beneficiaries will receive loans ranging from N50,000 to N300,000 for farmers, petty traders, widows and youths.
“Today, l have come to Roll-Out the programme in the “Land of Hope” Imo State. Hence, successful beneficiaries of the GEEP proagramme will start receiving credit alerts from Access bank by God’s grace.
“This is a programme designed by President Muhammadu Buhari administration for vulnerable and low-income Nigerians who are involved in some sort of commercial activity or capacity but have never had the opportunity to access loans. It is meant to give priority to the most vulnerable in our society eg widows, youth, disabled and the displaced amongst others”.
In his response, the executive Governor of Imo state, Sen. Hope Uzodinma thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the laudable empowerment programmes which he described as life touching. The Governor asked for more Social Empowerment Programmes slots for Imo state to cushion the effects of banditry and insecurity in the state.
“We have felt the impact of the National Investment Programmes of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs . We are appreciative of the efforts of the Ministry in making sure that President Buhari’s dream of lifting 100m Nigerians out of poverty is realized. We also appeal to you to increase the number of beneficiaries in Imo state. Lately, the poverty index in the state increased due to banditry and insecurity.“
Minister Umar Farouq also presented engagement letters and monitoring devices to some of the onboarded ninety -five Independent Monitors and utensils for pupils under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme.
In Abia state, the Minister who was represented by the Director Special Needs, Mrs Nkechi Onwukwe also launched the GEEP 2.0 with 4,108 beneficiaries.
3,107 will receive twenty thousand naira each as Cash Grants to Vulnerable Groups while twenty-seven Independent Monitors were on-boarded in Abia state and given engagement letters as well as monitoring devices.
“While the target of this Cash Grant project is to increase income and productive assets of the target beneficiaries, it is highly expected that the beneficiaries will use the grants to improve their productivity, create wealth, generate employment and improve their living standard,” Umar Farouq said.
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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