Federal Government of Nigeria Announces Date To Start Payment of ₦150,000,000,000 Federal Government Loan

The Federal Government of Nigeria says the disbursement of ₦150,000,000,000 federal government loan to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and manufacturers would start by the end of July 2024.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, revealed this in a statement through her official X handle on Thursday 27th June 2024.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said that 60% of the proposed 1,000,000 beneficiaries of the Federal Government Grant had received a federal government grant of ₦50,000 without repayment obligations in the seven hundred and seventy four local government areas of the country.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said, “To all applicants of the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme who are yet to be paid, thank you for your continued patience. The disbursement process is still ongoing, and we have allocated about 60% of the 1,000,000 grants.

“You can track the number of beneficiaries per LGA paid so far on the federal government grant portal.

“We are also at the final stages of vetting for the MSME and Manufacturing loans. Applications remain open, and disbursement will begin by July ending.”

Recall that in December 2023, the Federal Government launched the Federal Government Grant as part of the Presidential Palliatives Programme aimed at supporting businesses to navigate the economic crunch caused by government policies.

Accordingly, the fund dedicates ₦75,000,000,000 to MSMEs and another ₦75,000,000,000 to the manufacturing sector to assist businesses in Nigeria navigate the harsh economic realities.

Reports from a reliable source have it that at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting on Thursday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved an ₦50,000 uplift grant for 3,600,000 households in Nigeria.

Source: https://dailypost.ng/2024/06/28/nigerian-govt-announces-date-to-commence-payment-of-n150bn-smes-manufacturers-loan/

Only Children of Elites Can Access Student Loan – Dr. Sa’id Ahmad Dukawa

Dr. Sa’id Ahmad Dukawa, a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Bayero University Kano (BUK), has stated that only children of elites can access the NELFUND student loan.

The public affairs analyst made the remark on Friday while speaking to journalists at an event organised by FRAME Democracy Team, an initiative by Gatefield Impact, to promote public discourse about the state of democracy in Nigeria at Bayero University Kano (BUK).

Dr. Sa’id Ahmad Dukawa said, “The challenges are that those who were youths and had the opportunity to occupy positions of authority have changed their behaviour and now constitute a roadblock to the present youths.

“They are the ones who block all chances for youths, including scholarship awards. All of them were beneficiaries of public scholarships, but now they have introduced strict conditions for student loans, which only the children of elites can fulfill. This means the majority of the masses will have their children roaming the streets without access to education.”

Dr. Sa’id Ahmad Dukawa also charged Nigerian youths to be honest and have a progressive mindset, willing to correct wrongs even when they attain positions of authority.

The NELFUND student loan, which was organised to celebrate twenty five years of Nigerian democracy, highlighted the importance of democracy and the concerning authoritarian trends in the country.

Earlier, Mahmud Jafar, FRAME Democracy Programme Manager, opened the forum by reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey over the past twenty five years.

Source: https://dailytrust.com/only-children-of-elites-can-access-student-loan-buk-lecturer/

Latest Npower News Today Saturday June 29th 2024

According to latest Npower News today Saturday June 29th 2024, the Npower National Coordinator through the National Association of Npower Beneficiaries Facebook handle have made a statement on Facebook concerning the next course of action to be taken, the statement reads in part, kindly see statement below:

"at this point, you all should be ready to support this incoming Protest with any little way you can.

You can come to Abuja and Participate. You can sponsor someone if you won't make it to Abuja.

Try and be part of this last drive towards securing our unpaid 9 months stipends!!! On June 29 2020, Portal for Application into Npower Batch C was opened.

It is a shame that today being June 29, 2024 exactly 4 years later, the Beneficiaries are still crying over their unpaid 9-12 months outstanding stipends. Pay Npower Beneficiaries now!!!

Atiku Abubakar Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu."

The Npower national coordinator further said "Nobody should post any Cryptocurrency related stuffs in any of our WhatsApp group again please.

Once you are caught violating this, we will remove you immediately."

Npower batch c beneficiaries are being owed 12 months stipends and the Federal Government of Nigeria is yet to say anything regarding these unpaid stipends, and this has continued to stir resentments amongst beneficiaries of Npower batch c, several beneficiaries of Npower batch c have lost hope and confidence in the Npower program and are resorting to a peaceful demonstration so as to make their voices heard. Npower batch c beneficiaries hopes and are optimistic that with these organized peaceful demonstration the federal government of Nigeria will promptly look into their request.

Betta Edu The Former Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Remains Undeterred

In an acknowledgement to the power of resilience and faith, Betta Edu, the former Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has emerged unscathed and undeterred despite facing scandals with respect to misappropriation of public funds. Despite being suspended as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January over allegations of diverting public funds, the 37-year-old politician has continued to move forward with her life, buoyed by her solid faith and dedication to serving humanity.

The youngest minister in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Betta Edu has denied any wrongdoing and is confident that the ongoing investigation will prove her innocence. Despite the recent setback, Betta Edu remains undeterred, leaving everything beyond human eyes to her creator, with a deep sense of faith and purpose, Betta Edu sees herself as a woman loved by God, inspiring and making a difference in the lives of those around her for God’s greatness.

A politician like no other, the life of Betta Edu is a prove to the power of grace, hard work, and resilience. Betta Edu's extensive philanthropic endeavours, which transcend traditional boundaries of ethnicity, social class, and religion, have made a lasting impact on the lives of many. With a reputation for kindness, philanthropy, and generosity, the wealth of Betta Edu and influence extend far beyond political circles, touching the lives of countless individuals across societal divides.

From Betta Edu's early days as a driven and ambitious individual to her current position as a prominent Nigerian politician, Betta Edu has consistently demonstrated qualities of excellence, integrity, and effective execution. Betta Edu remains a beacon of hope, a shining example of the power of faith, resilience, and determination.

Source: https://independent.ng/dr-betta-edu-remains-undaunted/

Lagos State Government Disburses ₦1,346,030,000 To Households Through Conditional Cash Transfer Programme

The Lagos State Government says the sum of ₦1,346,030,000 has so far been disbursed to eleven thousand three hundred and eighty six households in twelve local government areas, through the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme.

The Conditional Cash Transfer Programme aims at responding to deficiencies in capacity and lack of investment in the human capital of poor and vulnerable households.

Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe revealed this at a news conference in Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday.

The benefitting Local Government Areas are: Apapa, Amuwo-Odofin, Ajeromo Ifelodun, Agege, Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Shomolu, Ifako-liaye and Alimosho.

Akinyemi Ajigbotafe said the State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU) of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment was created and assigned to implement the Household Uplifting Programme (HUP) otherwise known as the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme which started in Lagos State with its inauguration on the 15th April, 2020.

Akinyemi Ajigbotafe said the State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU) is also currently implementing Social Transfer to vulnerable individuals under the World bank assisted programme tagged NG CARES.

“The implementation of the CCT programme in the above twelve Local Government Areas has culminated in disbursement of ₦1,346,030,000. The implementation of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme has contributed to the improved livelihood condition of beneficiaries through Savings Group Mobilization activities in the six Pilot Local Government Areas namely; Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, and Badagry.

“The Unit has also implemented NG CARES programme where social transfer to two thousand one hundred and forty five beneficiaries in Eti-Osa, Kosofe, Mainland, Iru Victoria Island, Agboyi-Ketu, Ikosi Isheri and Yaba LCDA was effected. The implementation of the above NG CARES in the seven targeted LGs/LCDAs has resulted in the disbursement of ₦343,200,000 only,” Akinyemi Ajigbotafe said.

Akinyemi Ajigbotafe also revealed that the state government has so far spent ₦4,000,000,000 in the development of Lagos Industrial Leather Hub.

Akinyemi Ajigbotafe said the Ministry in staying true to its mandate is handling challenges militating against the growth and development of Nano, Micro, Small and Medium Scale businesses (NMSMEs), especially the informal sector with initiatives developed to aid Startups, Artisans and Entrepreneurship development in the State.

Akinyemi Ajigbotafe further said that one of such major initiatives was the establishment of Industrial Hubs, which entails creating a congregation of related enterprises in an identified location for enhanced productivity, wealth creation and business development through provision of access to business accommodation, workshop, standard equipment and infrastructural facilities at affordable costs.

“A multiplier effect is to create value chains in such enterprises such as Leather works. The State Government is about to complete the construction and development of Lagos Industrial Leather Hub at Motori, Mushin, to create employment, develop capacity of artisans and provide necessary equipment and infrastructure for MSMEs operating in the leather value chain.

“The Hub facilities include the production area with industrial equipment (for mass production of leather products) and shopping area that comprises shops, training rooms, work stations, office space, showroom etc. Currently, the project is about ninety percent completed and it is billed to be commissioned soon,” Akinyemi Ajigbotafe said.

Source: https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2024/05/03/lagos-disburses-n1-346bn-to-indigent-households-through-conditional-cash-transfer/

Npower News Today Saturday June 29th 2024

According to Npower News today Saturday June 29th 2024, the Npower National Coordinator through the National Association of Npower beneficiaries' social handle have said that he is back, and is equally seeking for the opinion of beneficiaries of Npower batch c regarding the next line of action, see statement below:

"I am back, the Struggles continue. What do you suggest we do next? A- Protest. B- Dialogue. C- Both." 

The above statement is coming amidst the Federal Government of Nigeria ignoring the plight of Npower batch c beneficiaries, Npower batch c beneficiaries are being owed 9-12 months stipend, Betta Edu the ex-Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation made just a single Npower payment for one month and since her suspension there has been no information regarding Npower payment to Npower batch c beneficiaries neither has there been an update regarding the ongoing case between Betta Edu and the anti-graft agency the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Beneficiaries of Npower batch c are left in suspense especially in this period of economic hardship.

According to Npower News, the Npower National Coordinator said that the Federal Government of Nigeria has lifted the suspension on the National Social Investment Programmes and Npower payment will commence by June, amidst all this beneficiaries are doubtful of this promises as the Federal Government of Nigeria is yet to say anything regarding Npower. As a fallout of this situation, beneficiaries of Npower batch c are planning an organized and peaceful demonstration to air their opinions regarding non payment of their 12 months stipends.