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FG’s CCT Programme Resumes In Ondo Pays 3,767 Households

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The Federal Government has resumed the payment of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) to  the poor and vulnerable households in Ondo State.
Coordinator of CCT Programme in Ondo State, Mrs Tosin Olupona, stated this in an interview with The Tide source yesterday in Akure.
The programme is one of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
Olupona said 3,828 households were captured in the first phase of the programme when it started in 2019, but 3767 were on  the schedule for payment from the national office.
She noted that the current payment captured six local governments of Akure North, Owo, IleOluji/Okeigbo, Ese-Odo and Ifedore.
The coordinator said the payments were done bi-monthly, and beneficiaries had earlier been paid twice, for the month of September-October, and November-December 2019.
According to her, the payment is actually N5,000 monthly, but “we pay N10,000 once every two months, and we are doing four payment cycles covering the months of January to August 2020, making N40,000 per beneficiary”.
“This programme commenced in Ondo State in 2019 and we had two payment cycles then, so we paid twice, for the month of September and October, November and December 2019 when it commenced.
“But due to operational issues, which were not fault of ours, the programme was put on hold.
“Now we are recommencing after a lot of efforts by Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-governmental Relations, Mrs Bunmi Ademosun, and Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.
“During the first batch, we enrolled 3828 households and now, we are paying 3767 out of that, that was the payment schedule from our national office”.
“The targets  aret poorest of the poor and it is meant to meet their nutritional needs, most of them cannot even feed, not to think of sending their children to school,” she said.
Olupona explained that the Social Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU) identified the beneficiaries, while their responsibility was to ensure that they were paid when the money was available.
Olupona noted that additional 8710 had been enrolled to cover the remaining 12 local governments that were not earlier captured in the programme.
She also appreciated the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq for her efforts on the programme to restart in the state.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Lydia Joel, said she was happy that the government remembered them with the payment of the money at her trying period.
Also, Madam Felicia Aderemi  appreciated government for the money and prayed for more development in the country.

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Yahaya Bello: Senator Hails EFCC’s Probe Of N80.2bn Fraud

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Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commended the efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governors of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
This is just as she also hailed the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for ceding 14 properties that were initially forfeited to the federal government to the government and people of Enugu State.
Reacting to Bello’s excuse for not honouring the EFCC’s invitation, the lawmaker emphasized the need for the commission to investigate other corrupt public officials to avoid the impression that their actions against former governor were meant to witch hunt him.
In a now-viral video, the EFCC chairman had claimed Belloh told him that a female senator (name withheld) allegedly gathered journalists to humiliate him anytime he was at the agency’s Abuja office for interrogation.
“I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that. But he said because a certain senator had planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.
“I told him that he would be allowed to use my private gate to give him a cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.
But Senator Natasha in a statement signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel and issued at the weekend in Abuja, reminded Yahaya Bello of the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution, given his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi.
“I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer. As a former governor, he should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
“It’s a well-known fact that ‘he who comes into equity must come with clean hands’. As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.
“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far. No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption,” she said.

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Senate  Frowns Over Continued Depreciation Of Naira

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Worried over the  latest depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies, the Senate through its Committee on Finance, has  stated that the Legislature  is  exploring a range of policy options to mitigate the impact of Naira depreciation and foster economic stability in the country.
These, according to the committee, in a statement signed by its chairman, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) and released yesterday, includes robust oversight of fiscal policies, engagement with key stakeholders, and the formulation of targeted interventions to support key sectors of the economy.
Senator Musa said the statement became necessary “to address the current state of the economy and the need for concerted efforts at tackling the instability and continuous depreciation of the Naira.”
This is even as he hoped that the “economic managers will adhere strictly to the norms and standards set by this administration to ensure that we achieve the desired outcomes in taking Nigeria to its economic growth and prosperity”, pledging the support of the National Assembly to the executive arm of government to achieve the set goals.
He, however, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resilient as they navigate these uncertain times, saying “together, we can overcome the challenges facing our economy and chart a path towards prosperity for all.”
The statement titled: “State of the Nation Economy and Naira Depreciation’, reads “The Nigerian economy is facing significant challenges, exacerbated by both internal and external factors.

“Despite efforts to stabilize and bolster economic growth, the numerous initiatives and bold but necessary steps and policy decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, the persistent depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies has become a pressing concern.

“The recent depreciation of the Naira underscores the need for proactive measures to safeguard the stability and resilience of our currency.

“The Senate Committee on Finance is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to implement effective policies and strategies.

“It is imperative that we address the root causes of Naira depreciation, including but not limited to fluctuations in global oil prices, fiscal deficits, and structural imbalances in the economy.”

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WIW: Banigo Advocates Legislative Impetus

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The Senator, representing Rivers West Senatorial District at National Assembly Sen.Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has advocated for legislative backings to enforce immunisation as a pre-condition for admission into nursing, primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.
Banigo made the assertion recently in a statement to commemorate this year’s week-long immunisation campaign in line with the World Health Organisation advocacy.
Banigo, a Harvard-trained Public Health personnel, explained that such legislation would strengthen the National Immunisation Policy in the administration of vaccines, saves lives, helps in the child normal growth, prevents serious illness and disabilities such as poliomyelitis .
The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), noted that Nigeria must attain at least, 90 percent vaccine coverage for all childhood and adolescence; stressing that a fully vaccinated child should have received BCG, Mussels and three doses of DTP and Polio .
She emphasised the need for collective efforts by stakeholders in the campaign against preventable diseases .
The theme for this year’s World Immunisation Week is “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunisation” while the national theme is “Vaccine Works For All”.

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