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FG Committed To Restoring Livelihood Of Poor, Vulnerable In Nigeria – Minister, Agba

Published

2 years ago

May 24, 2023

The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba has said that the Federal Government was committed towards restoring the livelihoods of poor and vulnerable people in the country.

The Minister reiterated this in Bauchi on Tuesday during a one-day Ministerial town hall meeting on Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-G CARES) Programme for stakeholders in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina and Plateau states.

According to him, over 2 million Nigerians have so far benefited from the programme in just one year.

“The Federal Government once again wishes to restate its commitment to restoring the livelihoods of poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

“It is also committed to maintain food security and facilitate the recovery of Micro and Small Enterprises. The NG-CARES Programme is one of the policy options explored by our Administration to achieve these objectives.

“In about a year of full implementation, NG-CARES has impacted over 2 million direct beneficiaries.

“This is based on the report of the first round of assessment of the Programme implementation conducted by an Independent Verification Agent,” he said.

Represented by Rev. Aso Vakporaye, Chairman, Federal Care Technical Committee of N-G CARES, the Minister added that one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s strategies was to meet with, and engage stakeholders as part of government’s accountability to the citizens.

He said that the purpose was to hear first-hand views of the people on government policies and programmes and to feel the pulse of the Nation.

“This town hall meeting, therefore, provides an opportunity for both government and the citizens to interact with a view to increasing better governance and participatory democracy.

“The outcome of this interaction would form part of what this present government will hand over to the incoming government,” he said.

In his speech, Alhaji Atiku Musa, Head, Monitoring and Evaluation, Federal CARES Support Unit, said after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government, in its proactive posture, developed the Economic Sustainability Plan.

According to him, this plan inspired the preparation and eventual implementation of the NG-CARES Programme in the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said that the programme had recorded tangible results and had positively affected so many poor and vulnerable Nigerians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other shocks across the country.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

20 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

20 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

20 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.