The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Facebook showcases Nigerian, Ghanaian creators

    Facebook showcases Nigerian, Ghanaian creators

    By Lucas Ajanaku

    Facebook has announced the launch of Facebook Creators campaign in Nigeria and Ghana, highlighting the inspiring stories of leading content creators who have succeeded in various creative industries using the Facebook family of Apps to inspire other creative artists and connect with communities.

    The Facebook Creators campaign will spotlight eight creative artists in Nigeria and Ghana who have built, communicated, and scaled their art and craft to the world using Facebook and Instagram. These artists represent several creative industries ranging from photography, comedy, fashion, dance, and content creation. Their inspiring stories will be amplified through a media partnership with Pulse to showcase their professional journey.

    ‘We are excited about the Facebook Creators campaign because our family of Apps offers content creators unique opportunities to communicate their craft and tell their stories,” said Oluwasola Obagbemi, Facebook’s Corporate Communications Manager for Anglophone West Africa. “At Facebook, we are committed to helping people realise their full potential through campaigns like this.

    We want African creators to get the best opportunities using our tools to express themselves, inspire others, and build communities and livelihoods, while connecting with their audiences.”

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    One of the content creators spotlighted in this campaign is Emmanuel Oyeleke, the talented Nigerian photographer who mastered the art of creating breath-taking posed imagery after quitting his job as a computer programmer. The campaign also features Laud Anoo Konadu, popularly known as Dancegod Lloyd. Known for co-founding the Dance with a Purpose Academy and the Rocc Starss Dance Academy, the Ghanaian dance sensation and choreographer regularly shares videos of his dance routines on Instagram with his over 1.1 million followers.

    Other creative artists featured in the campaign include FocusnBlur (Ghanaian Photographer) who was awarded Ghana’s Best Event Photographer in 2019 and 2020; Funke Adepoju (Nigerian Fashion Designer) who is best known for her premium bespoke ready-to-wear collections; and Kaffy Shafau-Ameh (Nigerian Dancer) who is popularly  known for breaking the Guinness World Record for ‘Longest Dance Party’ at the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon in 2006.

    Also featured in the campaign are Apaokagi Mariam – popularly known as Taaooma (Nigerian Comedian), who  plays multiple roles in her comedy skits, hilariously spotlighting how African mothers discipline their children; and Claudia Lumor (Ghanaian Entrepreneur) who is widely known as the founder of Kollage Media, producers of Glitz Africa Magazine, and also the Ghana Tourism Ambassador for Fashion Development and Dream Catchers Academy (Nigerian Content Creators) who are best known for offering educational opportunities, leadership skills, and a better life for underprivileged girls through dance, drama, music, and visual arts.

    Speaking on the partnership with Facebook, Rose Umane, Head of Digital Strategy at Pulse, said, “At Pulse, we are all about informing and engaging the young African audience and are very excited to collaborate with Facebook to tell and share the inspiring stories of eight celebrated creatives in West Africa. These are individuals that have made an impact through their dedication and excellence in their diverse creative arts. We hope that their stories inspire creative individuals out there to muster the courage to reach their goals”.

    With the growing demand for African creative artists’ footprint on the global stage, the Facebook family of Apps continues to provide innovative outlets where people can express themselves, tell their stories, monetize their crafts, and pursue their goals. The Facebook Creators campaign is part of Facebook’s efforts to boost the burgeoning creative industry in Nigeria and Ghana, while inspiring millions of creative minds with the endless opportunities that the Facebook family of Apps provides for their talents across Africa.

  • NSITF holds COVID-19 awareness walk

    NSITF holds COVID-19 awareness walk

    By Oluwamayomikun Orekoya

    As part of its activities marking the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) ‘World Day for Health and Safety of Workers at Work. Invest now in resilient OSH system.’, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Lagos Island branch, organised a Coronavirus awareness walk around the Lagos Central Business, Marina on Wednesday.

    This year’s theme, Anticipate Prepare and Respond to Crises, was chosen as the result of the on-going pandemic, which has had a profound impact on nearly every aspect of the world of work – from the immediate threat of acquiring the virus to widespread job losses in key sectors, the closure of businesses, restrictions on mobility and air travel, lockdowns, school closures and impacts on global supply chains.

    The Fund provides compensation for any death, disability injury or occupational disease arising out of or in the course of employment. It also covers medical expenses, refunds, rehabilitations and prosthetics support.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Assistant General Manager of the Branch, Erebi Kia, said the pandemic has exposed all workers and people in the world of work to the risk of infection with the novel coronavirus.

    Read Also: Eni to upscale oil JV operations in Nigeria

    She added that in addition to the risk of acquiring the novel coronavirus, workers in all sectors have faced other hazards that have emerged during the pandemic, including increased work-related stress and violence and harassment. New work practices and procedures adopted to mitigate the spread of the virus can also create new OSH risks, including chemical, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards.

    “On the course of this walk, if you noticed we were distributing  nose masks,” She continued.

    “The nose mask is the most elementary of protection. If and foremost you protect yourself. So we are telling people Covid-19 is real and also sensitizing employers to be safety conscious in the work environment.”

    She said informatory brochures and banners with key messages about coronavirus disease as well as the preventive measures were also distributed among people at the public places.

    The Health Safety Environment Manager, NSITF, Sunday Oluferan on his part encouraged people to get vaccinated in order to curtail the spread of the virus.”As we are all aware the vaccine is out and readily available in all health centers,” Oluferan said. “Let’s ensure we get vaccinated to prevent the spread and to put an end to this pandemic.”

     

  • PenCom orders recap, raises PFAs shareholders fund to N5b

    PenCom orders recap, raises PFAs shareholders fund to N5b

    By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

    The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has ordered recapitali-sation in the pension industry, The Nation has learnt.

    The Commission has raised the shareholders’ funds of PFAs from N1 billion to N5 billion.

    The commission confirmed this to the newspaper in a telephone conversation yesterday.

    Pension operators, who spoke with the newspaper, said they received a circular in this regard from the Commission this week.

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    A source in one of the leading PFAs revealed that the Commission gave them one year to comply with the new capital.

    She said the discussion to raise the fund has been on for a while now, noting that the increase became imperative recently.

    She said: “With recent development in the world like COVID-19, the commission made PFAs to know that there is need to raise the fund so that the companies can remain strong enough to wheather storm.

    “We need to invest in infrastructure, technology, among others. This discussion has been ongoing and everybody just understood that it has become imperative for us to increase pour shareholder’s fund.”

     

  • Foundation donates items to orphanage home

    Foundation donates items to orphanage home

    In celebration of the 59th birthday of the Chief Executive Officer Ken Dallas Hotel & Suites, Kehinde Afolabi, items including packs of noodles, sanitary products and a refrigerator have been donated to support an orphanage home in Lagos State.

    Afolabi, a co-founder of Ayishat Afolabi Foundation, while speaking to newsmen, called on other philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians in the society to always show support for children raised without parents.

    While appreciating God almighty for another year, he stated that the donation drive was part of activities to celebrate his 59th birthday.

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    “I am happy to offer this gift to these children to celebrate my birthday. The foundation is named after my mother and the goal has been to support orphans and the less-privileged.

    “This gesture is the first of its kind and we will continue every year providing necessary materials for these children.” Afolabi said.

    Similarly, the deputy coordinator of the foundation, Foluke Ademokun explained that the foundation provides education for children of widows facing financial difficulties and provides linkages to justice regarding gender-based violence issues.

    While receiving the items, the project manager of the orphanage home; Compassionate Orphanage Home, Patricia Aseleri expressed gratitude for he items donated. She said “We are always here all day for the interest of the children and the gift would go a long way by lessening the burden of feeding the children.”

  • Okowa urges Buhari to reconstitute NDDC board

    Okowa urges Buhari to reconstitute NDDC board

    Agency Reporter 

    Delta Governor and Chairman of South-South Governors’ Forum, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reconstitute the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) without further delay.

    Speaking when he led his Akwa-Ibom counterpart, Mr Udom Emmanuel, to inaugurate roads, bridge and school projects built by his administration in Agbarho and Oleh, Okowa said it was great injustice for the Federal Government to continue to run the NDDC without a constituted board.

    He stated that Niger Delta states were being taken for a ride with the running of the Commission without conforming to the laws establishing it.

    The governors’ chairman said that the continued agitation from stakeholders for the reconstitution of the board was germane because the region was being short-changed.

    “I believe that the Governors of the South-South have spoken and we are embarrassed that after several months, the government has been unable to reconstitute the board of the NDDC.

    “We believe that what is going on at the moment is not the best for our region and it’s not the best for the oil-producing states.

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    “In the first instance, the sole administratorship is not known to law and the board has the full representation of the people and they are able to speak for their people to ensure that there is fairness, justice and equity in terms of amenities and facilities.

    “I believe also that the earlier the board is inaugurated, the better for us because we cannot continue to hide under the fact that we are doing a forensic audit without inaugurating the board because the board is supposed to be forward-looking and not about the past.

    “So, allow the new board to come in and when the result of the forensic audit comes, the board will still look at it and know where actions are supposed to be taken.

    “We are currently being fooled and we are not happy about it; so, if people agitate, I believe they are doing so in the right direction.

    “So, we call on the Presidency to listen to the call of the South-South Governors and other stakeholders from the oil-producing states and quickly inaugurate the board because we are suffering for it.

    “I believe that as at today, the funds of the NDDC are not being well managed and I want to believe that they are also not accountable in the way and manner they are running the place,” he said.

    He added, “I call on Mr President to quickly look into the inadequacy and ensure that the board of the NDDC is inaugurated as soon as possible.

    “We have been expecting the results of the forensic audit and the EFCC can take over and prosecute the fraud-related cases because those ones are not for the board to handle.

    “So we cry to Mr President today to quickly inaugurate the board because it’s in the best interest of the nation and in the best interest of the oil-producing states.”

    The Governor who had earlier inaugurated the Agbarho Orherhe Road and Bridge in Ughelli North Local Government Area approved the establishment of a secondary school in Orherhe, saying “We must continue to bring education closer to our people”.

    On the Oleh and Ozoro communal crisis, Okowa assured that his administration would do justice to the report and recommendations of the Judical Panel of Enquiry into the clashes.

    On his part, Governor Udom, commended Okowa for his outstanding accomplishments in road, education and human capital development, remarking that only governors of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled states were executing projects across the country.

    “If you check Nigeria today, the only people inaugurating projects are PDP states. Let each state bring out what they have done and you will be proud of what PDP governors have done in their respective states.

    “I know people will say we receive so much because we are oil-producing states, but have you asked how much money we spend on constructing roads in the South-South?

    “This is the real dividend of democracy because what you put on ground for the common man and everybody to enjoy is the real dividend of democracy.

    “If people will have time to come and document all we have done in the region they will be amazed with what we have done even with the inflation and foreign exchange challenges.

    “And, I believe that the entire community and the Isoko nation will support PDP because we stand for the economic development of the nation,” he said.

    “Governance is all about continuity and I must commend you because your predecessor conceived this project and you came and brought it to fruition

    “When you give the people education you have exposed them to the entire world and I must commend Governor Okowa for his vision in completing this project.

    “All we have inaugurated today and many more that are yet to be inaugurated is a pointer to the fact that only PDP governors are working and am proud to say that when others will say there is a casting down, we will say there is a lifting up.

    “What I am seeing here today at the Emore Grammar School ,Oleh, is something worth emulation, good space management, easy to manage, excellent facilities with good rendition and I hope that the teachers will bring out the best out of the students so that they can compete anywhere they find themselves,” Udom stressed.

    The projects inaugurated were Agbarho-Orherhe road, with a bridge in Ughelli North Local Government Area and dualised Emore Road and Emore Grammar School, both in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area.

  • A’Ibom retirees receive benefits 

    A’Ibom retirees receive benefits 

    Agency Reporter 

    No fewer than 97 next of kin of retired primary school teachers in Akwa Ibom State have received their late parents benefits.

    This is in addition to about 67 retired primary school teachers and 11 physically challenged persons who were finally paid their gratuity by the state government. These are part of the first beneficiaries of payment of gratuity to beneficiaries as promised by the Akwa Ibom State Government, AKSG, a payment that spans a period of 24 years, from 1976-2000.

    The payment of the retirees entitlements is in furtherance to the pledge by Governor Udom Emmanuel to commence payment of gratuity and pensions to all eligible retirees in line with the commitment of his administration to bring succor and relief to senior citizens of the state who sacrificed a greater part of their productive years in service of the state.

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    Speaking to newsmen in Uyo, the Head of the Civil Service, Akwa Ibom State, Elder Effiong Essien said the state government further approved the payment of entitlements to 5,296 retired primary school teachers, 1,838 next of kin in the state from 1976 to 2000 which will be paid on batches.

    According to Elder Essien, “The payment of these entitlements commenced on Monday, we are hoping to clear the backlogs of the gratuities from 1976 to date. Those who successfully scaled through the verification exercise have received their payment”

    “Currently, we have paid 97 next of kin, 67 living retired primary school teachers and 11 vulnersble whose both physical and health condition was very pitiable. This payment will be done in batches till we successfully carry out the payment to all beneficiaries”, he stated.

    The Head of Civil Service commended the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for being passionate and resolute in his leadership role, describing him as a workers’ friendly Governor who pays premium to the welfare and working condition of workers so as to improve productivity and efficiency in the service.

    Reacting to the development, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mandu Akpan who retired since 2009 said, the payment of her gratuity will not only go a long way to ameriolate the suffering she has passed through since her retirement from service but will also inspire those presently working that their services to the state will not be in vain.

    She commended the State Governor for keeping to his promise of paying pension and gratuity to all deserving retirees, nothing with delight that payment is not only fulfilling but consoling.

    Also speaking, a retired headmaster, Elder Umoren Nkanga thanked God for keeping him alive to see this day and expressed gratitude to the State Governor for ensuring that the suffering that became the lot of Akwa Ibom retirees have been put to rest. He thanked the Governor for his efforts at ensuring that all retirees were verified and captured for payment and thanked the verification team for their efficiency that led to the payment as directed by the Governor.

  • FG deploys aid volunteers to needy African, Caribbean, Pacific Countries

    FG deploys aid volunteers to needy African, Caribbean, Pacific Countries

    Agency Reporter 

    The Directorate of Technical Aid Corps has dispatched 33 volunteers to Uganda and is set to deploy another 33 to Tanzania by next week, the Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC) has said.

    Shehu Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of the Acting-Director General of the Corps, said shortly before the departure in Abuja that the move was in response to humanitarian need to cushion the effects of the biting economic downturn resulting from COVID-19.

    The volunteers, who are mainly university lecturers, were dispatched ceremoniously from the DTAC headquarters in a convoy of three luxury buses, enroute the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    They are to assist in boosting the education sector of their host country for the next two years.

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    “The deployment is meant to strengthen the country’s educational system, as part of the grand masterplan of Nigeria for needy African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

    “Let it be known that the volunteers sent to Uganda had earlier responded to an advertisement placed by the DTAC on the 22nd of March 2021, with respect to the need for lecturers to help boost the Ugandan education sector.”

    “These are the successful applicants who scaled through the rigorous screening process by the corps and consequently shortlisted for the all-expense paid foreign mission to Uganda, which is the second of its kind by the Government of Nigeria.”

    “The volunteers’ welfare and sundry bills will be footed by the Nigerian government throughout their 2-years expedition in the African nation, so as to enable them give their best to the government and people of Uganda,” he said.

    He added that another batch of 33 Technical Aid Volunteers is billed to depart for Tanzania by next week, making it the third foreign support by Nigeria in a space of four months since January 2021.

    He disclosed that a similar dispatch had already been made to the Republic of Benin in January 2021, which was officially the first Federal Government-sponsored foreign mission in the year 2021.

    “Finally, in the words of Brad Henry, “no matter where you stand politically – even if you’re unsure of what your political ideology is – it is important to take part in the process of shaping our government.

    “This is, therefore, a clarion call for all well-meaning Nigerians to support laudable government initiatives as this, to encourage the government to do more in the face of dwindling economic fortunes. Most importantly, the government should increase funding for foreign policies of this nature, so as to harvest the huge potentials in the continental market.” the director said.

  • Killings: Buhari sad, disappointed over Ortom’s attacks

    Killings: Buhari sad, disappointed over Ortom’s attacks

    Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed disappointment over the attack on him and his administration by Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom, over recent killings in the state.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari also advised political leaders to desist from making comments that further divide the country.

    According to him, the rising level of incidences, especially the killings and violence in various parts of the country, call for collaboration with security agencies.

    Ortom had accused Buharis of having no interest in protecting Nigerians, following recent killings in his state, particularly the attack on an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp where seven persons were killed by suspected killer herdsmen.

    But Buhari expressed his condolences to families who lost their loved ones in the recent spate of killings in the state.

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    He stated the rising levels of violent incidences, especially the killings in different parts of the country, call for further collaboration with security agencies to curb recurrence.

    “The President expresses his condolences to the families of our dear citizens who lost their loved ones in the recent spate of killings in Benue State.

    “Furthermore, he states that the rising levels of incidents, especially the killings and violence in various parts of the country calls for further collaboration with security agencies to curb its recurrence.

    “He also states his disappointment and sadness to hear Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State make a litany of accusations against his person and his government of following the recent unfortunate incidents in the state.

    “No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the killing of the military and that of innocent citizens taking refuge in an Internally Displaced People’s camp.

    “President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice.

    “The lives of fellow citizens should not be desecrated by deploying them in political diatribe, which unfortunately appeared to be the intent of the string of emotional attacks and blame laid at the doors of the President for those killings by Governor Ortom.

    “President Buhari took an oath to defend the life and property of every citizen, a duty he takes seriously and is committed to ensuring.

    “Those citizens regardless of their affiliations, who either incite, sponsor or are proven to be abettors of these atrocities will face the law squarely and be answerable for their crimes against our fellow citizens and nation.

    “President Buhari continuously stresses that the strength of our country lies in our diversity in faith, culture, and traditions and attempts to sharpen the divide between northern and southern Nigeria, between Muslims and Christians, and between communities that have coexisted for centuries should be frowned upon and resisted.

    “As Nigerians, we accuse colonial rulers of the policy of divide and rule. Today, it is our own leaders who put region against region, religion against religion, ethnic group against ethnic group and community against community.

    “The future of Benue State and indeed that of the entire country lies in harmony and the respect for law, order, and the constitution. It is the only way to achieve progress and development.

    “While the President will continue to keep security, police and the armed forces on their toes to be on top of their act in troubled parts of the country, the situation in the states will greatly be helped by everyone working together because that is the foundation on which progress and prosperity can be achieved.

    “Benue under the Ortom administration ought to cooperate with the Federal Government in the implementation of a number of national strategic programs in addressing underlying issues militating against peace, progress and development.

    “This can still get done when the interest of the people is placed above all other interests. A government voted into office by the people, should treat the people as its masters and not as its servants,” the statement reads.

  • UPDATED: CBN sacks First Bank directors, reinstates Adeduntan as MD/CEO

    UPDATED: CBN sacks First Bank directors, reinstates Adeduntan as MD/CEO

    By Nduka Chiejina

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sacked some key board members of First Bank Nigeria (FBN) and First Bank of Nigeria Holding Plc.

    Among those affected are chairmen of the twi entities Mr. Oba Otudeko of FBN Holdings and Mrs Ibukun Awosika of FBN.

    The CBN, in a swift sanction, appointed replacements for all those sacked on Thursday.

    Addressing journalists on the development in Abuja, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, explained why the apex bank wielded the hammer.

    According to him: “The insiders who took loans in the bank, with controlling influence on the board of directors, failed to adhere to the terms for the restructuring of their credit facilities which contributed to the poor financial state of the bank.

    “The CBN’s recent target examination as at December 31, 2020 revealed that insider loans were materially non-compliant with restructure terms (e.g. non perfection of lien on shares/collateral arrangements) for over 3 years despite several regulatory reminders”.

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    Emefiele also revealed: “The bank (FBN) has not also divested its non-permissible holdings in non-financial entities in line with regulatory directives”.

    First Bank of Nigeria, Emefiele said, was gradually working its way out of the dire situation it found itself before 2016 but the belligerence of some board members forced its hands.

    According to him: “The bank maintained healthy operations up until 2016 financial year when the CBN’s target examination revealed that the bank was in grave financial condition with its capital adequacy ratio (CAR) and non-performing loans ratio (NPL) substantially breaching acceptable prudential standards”.

    The problems at the bank, the CBN Governor, explained “were attributed to bad credit decisions, significant and non-performing insider loans and poor corporate governance practices”.

    The shareholders of the bank and FBN Holding Plc Emefiele said: “Also lacked the capacity to recapitalise the bank to minimum requirements. This conclusions arose from various entreaties by the CBN to them to recapitalise”.

    However the CBN, he said, stepped in to stabilise FBN with the “appointment of a new Managing Director/ Chief Executive Office in January 2016”.

    Other interventions employed to save FBN from collapse, the Governor highlighted, include granting FBN “regulatory forbearances to enable the bank work out its non-performing loans through provision for write off of at least N150 billion from its earning for four consecutive years”.

    Another is the granting of concession to insider borrower to restructure their non-performing credit facilities under very stringent conditions and the renewal of the forbearances on a yearly basis between 2016 and 2020 following thorough monitoring of progress towards exiting from the forbearance measures”.

    Despite these interventions to save FBN, Emefiele said he was shocked to hear of the sack of the Managing Director Sola Adeduntan from media reports after he had made entreaties to the Chairman of FBN Holding Plc Oba Otudeko not to.

    Emefiele said an interested party leaked information to him about plans to sack Adeduntan.

    To stop the move, he said he called Oba Otudeko and “spoke to him that such changes will require CBN approval”.

    Again he said he pleaded with Oba Otudeko, sent a shareholder to also plead with him not to go ahead with the decision but they went ahead all the same.

    He described FBN as a systemically important bank in the banking sector “given its historical significance, balance sheet size, large customer base and high level of interconnectedness with other financial service providers, amongst others”.

    The CBN Governor noted that “by our last assessment, FBN has over 31 million customers with deposit base of N4.2 trillion, shareholders funds of N618 billion and NIBSS instant payment (NIP) processing capacity of 22 percent of the industry.

    “To us at the CBN, not only is it imperative to protect the minority shareholders, that have no voice to air their views, also important, is the protection of the over 31 million customers of the bank who see FBN as a safe haven for their hard-earned savings”.

    According to Emefiele, “the CBN considers itself a key stakeholder in management changes involving FBN due to the forbearances and close monitoring by the Bank over the last five years aimed at stemming the slide in the going concern status of the bank”.

    Emefiele announced appointments of the following: FBN Holdings Chairman – Remi Babalola, Dr. Fatade Abiodun Oluwole, Kofo Dosekun, Remi Lasaki, Dr Alimi Abdulrasaq, Ahmed Modibbo, Khalifa Imam, Sir Peter Aliogo and UK Eke – Managing Director

    For the Bank: Chairman – Tunde Hassan-Odukale, Tokunbo Martins, Uche Nwokedi, Adekunle Sonola, Isioma Ogodazi, Ebenezer Olufowose, Ishaya Elijah B. Dodo, Sola Adeduntan – Managing Director, Gbenga Shobo – Deputy Managing Director, Remi Oni – Executive Director and Abdullahi Ibrahim – Executive Director.

  • Senate quizzes Minister over N32.4bn COVID-19 palliative fund

    Senate quizzes Minister over N32.4bn COVID-19 palliative fund

    By Sanni Onogu, Abuja

    The Senate Committee on Special Duties, on Thursday, asked the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, to explain how N32.4billion allocated to her Ministry for palliatives meant to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was being spent.

    Farouq however explained only N2.4billion out of the N32.4billion allocated for palliatives has been released to the Ministry.

    She said that the Ministry is presently engaged with the Ministry of Finance to get the balance N30billion released.

    The exchange between members of the Committee and the Minister took place at an interactive session organised for the purpose by the panel.

    Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume and Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo had asked the minister about the impact of the palliatives distribution on the lives of poor Nigerians.

    Ndume said even though the Ministry is doing its best, what it has been doing was not enough to properly cater for the poor and vulnerable in the country.

    Ndume said: “You are not doing enough as far as poverty eradication in the country is concerned.

    “The modus operandi being adopted by your Ministry cannot in anyway help in fixing the country.

    “Humanitarian intervention should be looked at more holistically.”

    Senator Degi Eremienyo, said the palliatives given to some Nigerians by the Ministry, cannot in anyway, take them out of poverty.

    “Giving unemployed people N10, 000.00 or even N20, 000.00 for a month or two, cannot take them out of the poverty.

    “The handouts should be channelled into creation of employment for the unemployed,”Degi-Eremienyo said.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, intervened by telling the members of the Committee that the interactive session was not on poverty eradication but on interventions made by the Ministry from the N32.4billion allocated to it for COVID-19 palliatives.

    Farouq said only N2.4billion has so far been released to the Ministry from the N32.4billion allocation.

    She said part of the N2.4billion was expended on school feeding during the lockdown and direct cash transfers made to vulnerable Nigerians across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT).

    On how she fed school children at home during the lockdown, Farouq said: “We drove to some of their homes based on addresses gathered from their Schools and also adopted the template of the United Nations of six persons per family and three children in a home.”

    She explained further that besides feeding of school children at home, other interventions such as 33,000 tonnes of rice were distributed to vulnerable Nigerians across the 36 states of the Federation.