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Demand Palliatives From Govs, FG Tells Nigerians …Denies Sharing Palliatives Among APC Members
The Federal Government has distanced itself from the allegation that most of its projected palliative measures to cushion the economic hardship of Nigerians are being shared among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The rebuttal was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, when responding to questions on what the Federal Government was doing to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses ahead of the Yuletide season.
The minister admonished that it would be unfair for people to leave out state governors and blame the administration of President Bola Tinubu for noticeable lapses in the distribution of palliatives to the vulnerable in society.
He said, “That is not true. The FG is not sharing palliatives with party members. It is targeting Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations. In any case, nothing stops party members from enjoying it too. They are equally Nigerians. But we should not believe the narrative of the Federal Government targeting only party people for these palliatives.
“Remember that these have gone to the 36 states and the FCT. So, not all of them are controlled by the party. The distribution is also largely done by the state governors; even the N15m poorest of the poor initiative is also handled in conjunction with them.
“So, there is nothing the Federal Government is doing in isolation. That was why in the wisdom of the President (Bola Tinubu), the palliatives should go to the governors who know the people better and know how they would be distributed.
“If there is a problem with the distribution, especially for the immediate palliatives released by the President, we should ask the governors. The FG knows that it is not in Abuja that the people reside, it is the states.
“So, if there are accusations as you claimed, it shouldn’t just be targeted at the FG, it should also be directed to them at the state level.
“Even when grains were distributed, the FG gave it out for onward distribution to the states. So why will anybody leave the state governors and accuse the FG for things like this?”
Mohammed stated that it would be unreasonable for certain people to think that President Tinubu had not been having a sleepless night over the plight of his people.
According to him, Tinubu has never stopped pacifying Nigerians to exercise more patience as he works to improve the living standard of the people and revive the dwindling fortune of the country.
“The President said in his October 1 broadcast that he was aware that many Nigerians are feeling economic hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. Again, whenever the Yuletide approaches, things naturally go up and that could lead to inflation in some areas.
“That is the reason the Federal Government decided to give immediate palliatives to state governors and the minister of the FCT because they are the ones closer to the people. The move is to ensure the palliatives reach them as an interim measure.
“Secondly, it is also the reason the government is giving out what we call the wage award to Labour. You will recall in the October 1 broadcast of the president where he said N25,000 was awarded to Labour.
“In the course of negotiation the FG had with Labour, the President added another N10,000, making N35,000 that they will keep getting for three months. That will be from October 2023 to March 2024.
“Those who are not working, on the other hand, were given some stipends from the N15m for poorest of the poor and vulnerable households for three months, which has started running from October to December to cushion the effect of the hardship,” he stated.
Continuing, the minister expressed a strong conviction that once the two measures are properly channeled, it will minimise the economic challenges people are facing.
He said, “Of course, we know these are interim measures. The FG is putting up more concrete measures that will ease the pains of Nigerians in the long run.
“Very soon, considerable changes will be seen. I am saying this because there are some long term measures the FG has also put in place.”
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.