Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has approved the creation of a new ministry to be known as Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Bello, announced the creation of the new ministry on Tuesday in Lokoja during the official flag off of the
Federal Government’s Grant for Vulnerable people in the state
The programme is being undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
He explained that the new ministry was created to enhance the implementation of the #RenewedHope agenda, of President Bola Tinubu which aims at uplifting 50 million Nigerians out poverty annually.
Bello said all necessary legal framework and legislative backing for the new ministry were being worked out.
The Grant for Vulnerable Groups, specifically targeted at the most economically disadvantaged members of the society, will provide beneficiaries with a cash of N20,000 per month.
Bello, commended President Tinubu’s visionary approach and genuine commitment to combating poverty in Nigeria.
He expressed the hope that the grant would effectively contribute to the administration’s goal of pulling millions of Nigerians out of the poverty bracket.
The governor during the flag off itemised various initiatives undertaken by his administration to reduce and eliminate poverty in Kogi State.
He listed them to include free education in primary and secondary schools, quarterly distribution of food palliatives, and free healthcare program for pregnant women and children.
Aside these, he said his administration in October also released N497 million for the payment of 2024 WAEC fees of final year students in public secondary schools in the state.
The Governor attributed these policies to the administration’s Zero-out-School-Children initiative, which has yielded substantial results.
He expressed confidence that the Governor-elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo, would build upon these achievements and strengthen ties with the federal and local governments for the overall welfare of the people.
During the ceremony, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, congratulated the beneficiaries and commended Kogi women for their unwavering support for the APC-led administration at both the federal and state levels.
She noted that, beyond the Grant for Vulnerable Groups, the Federal Government had implemented over 20 social programs, targeting poverty alleviation, food security, and human capital development.
The minister revealed that, as part of the inaugural phase in Kogi State, a total of 3,000 individuals benefited from the program.
The State Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris Asiru, lauded the Federal Government for the initiative.
He also commended Governor Yahaya Bello for rolling out numerous initiatives to combat poverty, socio-economic inequality, and enhance security in the state. (vitalnewsngr.com)
