From Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado- Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday launched the conditional cash transfer to 5,000 indigent citizens under the household uplifting programme initiated by the Federal Government.

The beneficiaries, who were drawn from the 16 local government areas of the state, received between N20,000 and N60,000, representing the up-to-date payment alongside the outstanding stipends.

The governor, who spoke during the official launching of the scheme in Ado-Ekiti, said the programme was meant to alleviate poverty and other attendant effects among poor Nigerians.

Fayemi, represented by the Special Adviser, Office of Transformation and Delivery, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, said: “This is part of the programmes packaged by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to uplift the standard of living of the poor masses and Ekiti people are benefitting owing to recognition of our strong support to the Federal Government.

“We decided to give you this cash at this time when  COVID-19 scourge is rearing  its ugly head, so that you can use the fund to support yourselves and prevent hunger, because the economy is currently facing challenges owing to lockdown pronouncement in Ekiti to stop the spread of the disease.

“Five thousand indigent populace who had been captured and had been enlisted on a register will benefit. It is for the poorest of the poor and only those that deserve it will continue to enjoy it.

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“On Monday, our government began the distribution of food and other stimulus packages to 20,000 Ekiti indigent citizens to make our aged, widows and other vulnerable live happily.

“The programme is an household scheme, so give to your neighbours and others living with you under the same roof.

“We are also assuring the beneficiaries that we will put all necessary frameworks in place to prevent people from mismanaging a scheme meant for the poor and less privileged.”

The Special Adviser, Social Investment Programme to Governor Fayemi, Mr. Victor Kolade , said the state government had also re-enacted what he called ‘Owo Arugbo’ to complement the social safety nets and palliatives being offered by the Federal Government.

“Ekiti has keyed into the social investment programmes like the N-power, school feeding programme and others. We have even established more outfits to help the poor and make them overcome poverty.

“I want you to bury that erroneous impression that government money is free and can be spent anyhow. I want to plead with you to make judicious use of this support,” he said.