News
NGO Knocks NDDC Over Non-remittance Of $30m Fund
The failure of the Niger Delta Development Commission to release its $30 million counterpart funding into ongoing Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta has denied 1, 3500 women and youths in three state the empowerment benefits.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development assisted LIFE-ND involving agro skills and entrepreneurship training for youths in the Niger Delta was initiated by Federal Government since 2019 to check youth restiveness through job creation, enhance food security and economic development with the livelihoods the programme provide.
The LIFE-ND National Coordinator, Abiodun Sanni disclosed this during the launch of the Certification of the project into an Entrepreneurship Development Institute by the Nirsal Micro Finance Bank in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Sanni said Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Imo states were yet to come on board because the NDDC defaulted, while six others state have gained so much.
Sanni said, “With the launch the project as an Entrepreneurship Development Institute by the NMFB, we are set to catalyze the LIFE-ND of training youths and women of the Niger Delta with the benefit of certification and access to finance through NMFB.
“We are supposed to interface with nine states in the region, but currently running in six. NDDC is expected to pay a counterpart fund of $30 million within a span of six years, just as IFAD is promptly putting in $60 million for Abia, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Edo, Delta and Ondo states.
“Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Imo are yet to come on board because the NDDC is yet to pay their counterpart funds required to enlist these three states.
READ ALSO: NDDC Revokes Contracts, Orders Contractors To Refund Monies
“The project targets 38,750 beneficiaries, but nonpayment by NDDC has reduced beneficiaries to 25,250 which is not commendable.
“This has lingered for over three years. We have done all we can to ensure NDDC lives up to its responsibility, but up till now, we have not been able to get the commitment needed from the commission.
“So what we have achieved so far is for the six states being funded by IFAD.
“A project that could have ensured that youths in these three states have tremendously benefited from this goodwill has not manifested because the commission has failed to meet up its responsibility.”
He added, “The project is supposed to end 2025. We are hitting the third year mark and a lot have been achieved in respect of the six states currently onboard.”
News
We’ve Earmarked N1bn Naira Monthly To Feed Edo People – Obaseki
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, says his administration has earmarked nothing less than N1bn Naira monthly to feed vulnerable Christians in the state in the next three months.
This is as he said a similar programme has been mapped out for people in the Muslim faith in the state.
Obaseki disclosed this during the official flag-off of phase one of Edo State Food Support Programme also known as Christian Feeding Programme in Benin City.
The Governor, who said he was worried by the rising number of people who cannot afford a square meal in a day in the state, said he had to call Christian leaders in the state on how best to address the alarming situation.
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Obaseki said in order not to make it look political, he decided not to involve political office holders, but Christian leaders in reaching out to vulnerable Christians in the state.
The Governor who added that the state government already had data of the vulnerable in the state database, said the means of reaching out to them maximally was the issue, hence using churches to reach out to them.
He said: “I was worried by the rising number of people who cannot afford a square meal in a day. So, I thought to myself how do we solve this problem. This is not politics I told myself.
“I then called the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some of the blockheads to a meeting and explained to them what I intended to do. So, that’s how we put our heads together to come up with this programme.”
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Obaseki added: “I told them this is the amount of money I will be giving you every month. I’ll give you a billionaire monthly for three months first. At least, Let us try this for the first three months.”
The governor said the programme was not just to feed the vulnerable, but also together more data about people in the state on how the government can create employment for them and how the government can render help where necessary.
Earlier, in his remarks, Chairman of the Organising Committee who also doubles as the Chairman, CAN,
Apostle Irekpono Omoike, while thanking the governor for the initiative, said 10kg of 60,000 bags of rice have been purchased for onward distribution to the three senatorial districts in the state.
According to him, 27,000 bags of the 10kg would be distributed to the seven local government areas in Edo South, 15 bags to Edo Central and 18 bags to Edo North.
Further giving the breakdown, Omoike said 3, 000 bags would be distributed to each local government across the 18 local government areas, summing upto 54,000 bags, while the remaining 6,000 bags would be distributed to churches not captured under CAN.
News
Ex-Delta Gov, Ibori Mourns Passing Of Former Minister, Gbagi
Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori has mourned the passing of former Minister of State for Education Chief Kenneth Gbagi.
Ibori, in his Facebook timeline wrote: “Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi. Abovwolovwolo. Atighoyowa. So long, May your soul rest in peace.”
Gbagi was the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the last election in Delta State.
The renowned criminologist, industrialist and senior lawyer died Saturday, May 4th, 2024 at the age of 62.
News
BREAKING: Former Minister Gbagi Is Dead
The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the last election in Delta State, Olorogun Barr Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, is dead.
Gbagi, a former minister of Education and an industrialist died at the age of 62.
The Renowned Criminologist and senior lawyer died on Saturday, May 4th 2024.
A statement signed by his eldest son, Chief Emuoboh Gbagi on behalf of the Gbagi family, said: “It is with profound sadness but gratitude to God, that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, husband, and brother, Olorogun (Barr.) Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, FNIM, OON; Former Minister of Education, who departed this life on the 4th of May 2024 at the age of 62.
READ ALSO: Delta Guber: Tribunal Strikes Out Gbagi’s Petition Against Oborevwori
“We take comfort in the fond memories of his life, his achievements, and the impact he made on the lives of countless individuals and communities.
“We kindly request your thoughts and prayers for our family during this challenging time of loss.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace”, the statement added.
VANGUARD
We’ve Earmarked N1bn Naira Monthly To Feed Edo People – Obaseki
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Ex-Delta Gov, Ibori Mourns Passing Of Former Minister, Gbagi
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