News

NSIP: FG Trains 3,000 Independent Monitors

Published

4 years ago

June 10, 2022

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.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.