In a remarkable display of commitment to social protection and poverty alleviation, President Bola Tinubu‘s administration achieved significant milestones in the humanitarian sector within its first four months in office.
According to a statement issued at the weekend by the special assistant to the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Rasheed Zubair, the administration has paid a conditional cash transfer of N25,000 to 3.2 million verified poor and vulnerable households across the country.
This intervention, aimed at cushioning the effects of economic hardship, has brought hope to millions of Nigerians struggling to make ends meet.
“We are dedicated to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, and our humanitarian interventions are designed to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable. We believe that no one should be left behind, and we are committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all Nigerians”, the statement said.
It said President Tinubu flagged off Market-Moni 2.0, an expanded Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) designed to provide interest-free loans to 500,000 recipients across 109 markets in Nigeria.
This initiative, according to the statement, is expected to boost economic activity and empower small-scale entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth.
“This programme is a game-changer for our market women and youth. It will help them grow their businesses and create jobs, which is critical to our economic growth and development,” said Mariam Mohammed, a beneficiary of the programme in Abuja.
The administration has also demonstrated its resolve to address the country’s humanitarian crises by distributing palliatives to over 500,000 internally displaced persons affected by flood, insecurity, and other disasters. This intervention has brought relief to families forced to flee their homes due to conflict and natural disasters.
“We were living in despair, but the President’s intervention has given us hope. We now have food and shelter, and we can start rebuilding our lives,” said Ibrahim Ahmed, an internally displaced person in Borno State.
Also, the ministry has announced the construction of low-cost housing units for internally displaced families in Zamfara and Benue states. This initiative aims to provide decent shelter for those forced to flee their homes due to conflict and insecurity.
“We are committed to providing a roof over the heads of our citizens. No one should be forced to live in squalor, and we will do everything possible to ensure that everyone has a decent place to call home”, the statement said.
The administration has also granted N20,000 to over 43,000 verified vulnerable groups across the country, including persons living with disabilities and the elderly. This intervention is designed to provide a safety net for those most in need.
“This grant has been a lifesaver for me and my family. We can now afford to buy food and medicine, and we are grateful to the President for his kindness,” said Sarah James, a person living with disability in Lagos.
President Tinubu has also signed and adopted the African Charter for the rights of persons living with disabilities and the African Charter of Rights for aged and old citizens.
This move demonstrates his administration’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and protecting the rights of vulnerable populations.
In collaboration with the World Bank, the administration has verified the National Social Registration for 15.7 million poor and vulnerable households in an exercise aimed at creating a comprehensive database of those in need, ensuring targeted interventions and effective resource allocation.
The ministry has also empowered over 25,000 Nigerians with vocational skills in Adamawa and Cross River states, providing them with startup equipment and micro-business registration.
This initiative is expected to boost economic activity and reduce unemployment among youth and women.
Strategic partnerships with international organizations and governments have also been secured, with commitments of up to $250 million to address humanitarian crises and poverty alleviation in Nigeria.
