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NSIP: FG Trains 3,000 Independent Monitors
The Federal Government has commenced the training of 3,000 Stream 2 Independent Monitors (IMs) of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, HajiyaSadiya Umar Farouq, during the inauguration, yesterday in Abuja, said the training has become necessary to sustain the gains of the programme.
Farouq explained that the IMs were responsible for monitoring the programme in their communities and schools, households and market clusters with the focus of ensuring that the primary objectives of the NSIPs are achieved.
The minister recalled that she inaugurated the training and onboarding of Stream 1 IMs on February 4, 2021, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and 36 states of the federation.
“This process led to the engagement of 4,452 Stream 1 IMs enrolled as monitors of NSIP. They were trained and onboarded by officials of the ministry working in collaboration with State Focal Persons and NSIP officials.
“Additionally, they were provided working tools in the form of Tablets to carry out their monitoring activities on the field. The Stream 1 IMs were engaged from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022.
“It is worthy to note that monitors are one of the most important components of the NSIP and the ministry lays special emphasis on ensuring its programmes are closely monitored.
“Through the Social Investment Management Information System (SIMIS) application, our Stream 1 monitors have uploaded over 220,000 reports to date on the application giving us good visibility into the programme at the communities.
“Today’s programme marks the beginning of the national training and onboarding of additional 3,000 men and women that will serve as Stream 2 monitors,” Farouq said.
According.to her, the incoming Stream 2 IMs are expected to continue using the same platform to report their activities from the field.
Farouq stressed that they would be given the prerequisite training, and receive engagement letters and tablets as working tools for monitoring the programme.
She noted that monitoring at the state level requires that the IMs work hand-in-hand with the state NSIP’s team, as their work cannot be done in a vacuum.
“They are also required to work closely with the beneficiaries. No intimidation of beneficiaries by an IM will be accepted by the ministry.
“Any Independent Monitor found intimidating or harassing a beneficiary will be taken off the programme.
“Be informed that we have officials of the EFCC and DSS working with us on this programme, and those found culpable will be handed over to relevant authorities.
“We are also working with Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society groups that will support you in your monitoring assignment,” Farouq said.
Farouq was represented at the inauguration by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, AlhajiNasirSani-Gwarzo.
Speaking, the National Coordinator of NSIP, Dr Umar Bindir, said the programme is the major instrument of Buhari’s administration to alleviate poverty in the country.
Bindir stressed that the NSIP has been institutionalised to the point that it would not go down the drains like other poverty alleviation programmes of previous administrations.
“The monitoring is necessary to evaluate and restrategise to ensure that the beneficiaries are doing well and the programmes’ objectives are achieved.
“The IMs would monitor all segments of the NSIP (N-Power, GEEP, CCT and NHGSFP) in their localities and would be paid a stipend of N30,000 monthly,” Bindir said.
Meanwhile, the Team Lead of the programme, Dr FatiyaMusah, during her presentation on Monitoring and Evaluation, said the essence of the monitoring was to ensure visibility in all the 36 states including FCT.
“We have three levels of monitoring; Federal, State and Local Government Level. We also do routine quarterly field visit. We hope to do it before school closes for this term.”
The inauguration attracted NSIP Focal Persons from Osun, Rivers, Katsina and Nasarawastates.
Others are officials from the National Orientation Agency, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other relevant stakeholders.
Highpoints of the event were the symbolic presentation of letters of engagement to the trainees.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.