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Cash transfer: Sule inaugurates 2nd phase for indigent citizens
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, has launched the second phase of the state’s Conditional Cash Transfer Programme where 6,000 indigent citizens are to receive N7,000 monthly stipend for two years.
Sule, while inaugurating the exercise (Kudin A A Sule) on Tuesday in Lafia, said it was meant to improve on the standard of living of the indigent including widows, the aged and orphans.
He said that his administration had decided to increase the stipends from N5,000 in the first phase to N7,000 in the second phase of the programme as a result of prevailing economic situation in the country.
Sule said that the conditional cash transfer initiative by his administration had afforded the beneficiaries opportunity to pool their resources, thereby investing in businesses that would change their lives positively.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously.
Sule disclosed that the beneficiaries would receive two months stipends (N14,000) for a start.
Also speaking, Mr Danladi Jatau, Speaker of the State legislature, commended the Governor for initiating the programme geared towards changing the lives of widows, aged, orphans among others.
Jatau pointed out that Gov. Sule’s
programmes have direct bearing on the lives of people, especially those in the rural communities.
He urged the governor to sustain the tempo in the implementation of policies and programmes that imparts on the livelihood of the poor in the state.
The speaker assured the Governor of the Assembly’s support through the passage of enabling bills for the sustained development of the state.
In their separate remarks, Mr Aminu Maifata, the Chairman, Lafia Local Government Area and ALGON Chairman in the state, and Princess Margret Elayo, the state’s Commissioner for Humanitarian affairs, appreciated Gov. Sule for the gesture and prayed God for the success of his administration.
They also appreciated the Governor for uplifting the standard of living of the people of the state.
Earlier, Mr Imran Usman-Jibrin, the Director-General, Nasarawa State Social Investment Agency, said that no fewer than 6,000 indigent citizens, which cut across all polling units in the state were to benefit from the programme.
The director-general commended Gov. Sule for increasing the number of beneficiaries from 3,800 to 6,000 and for the upward review of the stipends from N5,000 to N7,000 for the second phase.
He advised the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously in order to improve on their standard of living.( NAN)
A Zamfara-based group, Zamfara Concerned Citizens, has called on Governor Dauda Lawal to cease blaming his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, for the state’s challenges and focus on delivering on his 2023 campaign promises.
The group also urged Matawalle, now Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, to contest the 2027 governorship election, citing his efforts in tackling insecurity nationwide.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group’s publicity secretary, Aliyah Dan-Musa, accused Governor Lawal of failing to address critical issues such as hunger, poverty, and healthcare in Zamfara.
“Dauda has failed the mandate entrusted to him by the good people of Zamfara,” Dan-Musa said.
“Instead of fulfilling his promises, he is looking for someone to blame, and Dr Bello Matawalle is his target.”
The group claimed that Lawal’s administration has run out of ideas and is resorting to scapegoating Matawalle to deflect from its shortcomings.
They further criticised the governor for allegedly squandering state resources on international trips with family and associates, rather than tackling the state’s pressing needs.
Zamfara Concerned Citizens called on residents to reject Lawal in the 2027 governorship election, accusing him of betraying the trust of the electorate.
“The governor has not done anything to address this ugly situation,” Dan-Musa stated, pointing to ongoing economic and social challenges in the state.
The group praised Matawalle’s tenure as governor from 2019 to 2023 and his current role as Minister of State for Defence, where they claim he has made significant strides in reducing insecurity across Nigeria.
“We have seen what he has done in Nigeria by reducing insecurity, and we are happy with what he is doing,” Dan-Musa said.
They urged Matawalle to run for governor in 2027, expressing confidence that his leadership would restore stability and attract investment to Zamfara.
“Zamfara will be much better and safer where civil servants will be smiling again and no more half salary,” the statement read.
The Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, has decried the influx of large number of cattle into Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
Oyinlola, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said this on Tuesday during an engagement with stakeholders in Barkin Ladi.
He noted that the influx of the cattle was constituting a major security threat to the locality and the state in general.
According to him, the isolated attacks, farm destruction, and other illegal activities are as a result of the unhealthy development.
“I must express the concerns of security agencies about recent developments in parts of Barkin Ladi.
“There is a growing unease about the influx of large number of cattle into farming communities.
“While the movement of livestock in Barkin Ladi and indeed Pateau in general is not unusual, the scale and timings of this new influx raise legitimate security concerns.
“Unfortunately, this development has already resulted in adverse outcomes, including farm destructions, isolated attacks, and attacks on livestock.
“The impact of this action on food security, economic stability, and social harmony cannot be over emphasised,” he said.
The commander, who also expressed deep concerns over the recent killings in the locality, called on the stakeholders to unite and fashion out ways to end the violence.
He, however, promised to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime, who would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Oyinlola explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was aimed at ensuring a successful and peaceful farming season in the locality.
“The faming season is already ongoing, and for many families, this is a period for securing their livelihood.
“Therefore, any disruption of farming activities now will have dire consequences for the rest of the year and beyond.
“To this end, this engagement is convened to hear from you, all stakeholders, to listen to your concerns,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the meeting had in attendance heads of security agencies, government officials, traditional and religious leaders, among others.(NAN)
The Catholic Church’s cardinals issued an urgent appeal for peace on Tuesday, one day before they retreat into the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.
In a joint statement, they called on all warring parties worldwide to “achieve a lasting ceasefire as soon as possible.”
The statement, released by the Vatican, said the cardinals note “with regret” that there has been no “progress in promoting peace processes in Ukraine, the Middle East and many other parts of the world.”
On the contrary, they said, attacks have intensified, especially against the civilian population.
The cardinals called for ceasefires “without preconditions and without further delay” in order to negotiate “the peace long desired by the affected populations and the whole world.”
They also appealed to believers, asking them to intensify their prayers for a just and lasting peace.
The statement was delivered during the General Congregation of the College of Cardinals, the last meeting of the cardinals before the start of the conclave.
Starting on Wednesday, eligible cardinals under the age of 80 are to vote to elect a successor to pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.