The Nation Newspaper

Tag: beneficiaries

  • Amosun to distribute CofO to another batch of beneficiaries

    Amosun to distribute CofO to another batch of beneficiaries

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun will  distribute Certificates of Occupancy and other land title documents to another batch of beneficiaries under the Homeowners’ Charter Programme.

    The Director-General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Biyi Ismail  said the beneficiaries would collect their documents on  Thursday by 9am  at the Oba’s Complex Auditorium, Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    He urged all contacted beneficiaries to come with valid means of identification and photocopies of same. They are expected to be at the venue by 8am for accreditation.

  • 12 Amnesty beneficiaries bag first class

    12 Amnesty beneficiaries bag first class

    Twelve of 59 Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) beneficiaries, who graduated from the Benson Idahosa University, bagged First Class Honours.

    Twenty bagged Second Class Upper Division and 29 Second Class Lower Division at the 13th Convocation Ceremony of the university at the weekend.

    The best Amnesty delegates who made the list of best graduating students  are Mr. Bolei Gideon, (Department of Agronomy and Environmental Management), Mr. Azebi Oyeikurokaemo Marcodinho, (Geopphysics), Miss Febaide Mabel Ebiere, (Banking and Finance) and Miss Guwor Egbedetimi Williams ( Political Science and Publice Administration).

    The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), yesterday said: “Four out of the 59 beneficiaries, came out as best graduating students in their various departments.

    “I just have to state their names here, Mr Bolei Gideon, First Class Honours Department of Agronomy and Environmental Management, Mr Azebi  Marcodinho, First Class Honors Geopphysics.

    “Ms Febaide  Ebiere, First Class Honours Banking and Finance and Ms Guwor  Williams, First Class Honours Sociology and Anthropology. They have all made the people of the region and the Nation proud,” he said.

    According to him, the graduation of the 59 delegates of the Amnesty Programme fitted perfectly into the Amnesty Exit Strategic Plan.

    Gen. Boroh said the amnesty programme would continue to contribute to human capital development in the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.

    He described the development as heart-warming, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to sustain the programme showed his sincere commitment to ensure  peace, stability and rapid socio-economic development in the region.

    Gen. Boroh  hailed the beneficiaries for their exemplary performance in their academic pursuits.

    According to the coordinator, people who are educated are better informed and can differentiate from what is right and what is wrong.

    “Educated people are united by the sense of right and wrong”. And since they are aware of the situation in their environment, they can be relied upon.

    He said the education of the youths would enable them have the sense of fulfilment in life and achieve their dreams.

    He urged authorities of institutions where amnesty beneficiaries have broken academic records through their high performance to find ways of absorbing such high flying beneficiaries.

    He said the amnesty educational empowerment programme has given hope to the youths in the region, and  urged them not to allow anyone to short-change and mortgage their lives.

    45 of its beneficiaries recently graduated from two universities in Belarus with three of them clinching first class honours in Information Technology from the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics.

  • SPDC LiveWIRE beneficiaries to benefit from $.8m fund

    SPDC LiveWIRE beneficiaries to benefit from $.8m fund

    Twenty-eight beneficiaries of the Shell Nigeria LiveWIRE programme are retooling to get a good share of the $800,000 growth fund for the year, provided by Grofin Investment, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has said.

    Grofin is a business development financier supporting viable, growth-oriented small enterprises in the Niger Delta through the Aspire Small Business Funds (ASBF) supported by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

    To brighten their chances of securing sufficient financial support from Grofin and other lending institutions, SPDC has completed a one-day Business Scale-up and Linkage workshop for the beneficiaries drawn from Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States.

    “This is part of the mentoring element of Shell LiveWIRE. Our aim is to continuously contribute to creating sustainable employment, economic growth and social development through the provision of business development assistance to youths particularly in the Niger Delta,” said SPDC General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli.

    Speaking at the workshop, SPDC Social Performance/Social Investment Manager, Gloria Udoh, urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the mentoring and linkage opportunities to move their enterprises to higher levels.

    “This is an opportunity to sharpen your presentation, marketing and business relationship skills; understand how to grow your business; and learn how to make a successful pitch to access the Grofin SME loans and other business support facilities,” she said.

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Stella Nnaji described the workshop as “filled with so much energy, motivation and opportunities.” She expressed gratitude to SPDC and its joint venture partners for the LiveWIRE programme, which she said was making a world of difference in the growth of small and medium scale businesses in the Niger Delta.

    The Shell LiveWIRE is a flagship enterprise development programme designed to help young people explore the option of starting their own business as a real and viable career option.

  • Jaiz Zakat disburses N40m to 1119 beneficiaries

    Jaiz Zakat disburses N40m to 1119 beneficiaries

    No fewer than 1,119 persons yesterday received cash and materials worth N40,146,000 from the Jaiz Zakat & Waqf Trust Fund (JZWTF) as zakat (alms) proceeds.

    The beneficiaries, drawn from Southeast, Southsouth, Northeast and Northcentral (Abuja), were given the items at a ceremony at the Conference Hall of the National Mosque, Abuja.

    JZWTF Executive Director Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, who presented the items, lamented the increasing poverty rate in the country.

    Shuaib regretted that access to qualitative and affordable housing, medical and educational services were out of the reach of the poor, who, he said, accounted for 98.52 per cent of Zakat funds beneficiary.

    Wealthy Nigerian Muslims, he noted, could make a difference in the lives of the less-privileged by paying their Zakat when due and encouraging others to donate generously.

    Explaining how the distribution went, he said N4.9million was disbursed in the Southeast, N3.6 million in the Southsouth, N28 million in Northeast while Abuja in Northcentral got N3.5 million.

    He said: “The Zakat allotment in the Northeast increased and even doubled what we disbursed in both the Southeast and Southsouth regions as indicated. The reasons for this were not far-fetched. We had to contend with the continued increase in the population of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), victims of Boko Haram that needed to be resettled and reconnected back to their natural habitat and the adverse effects of poverty in the region.”

    Imam Shuaib urged all beneficiaries to use their Zakat fund and items judiciously and also redouble their efforts so that they too can begin to support others in the years ahead.

    JZWTF Acting Chairman Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab, said the Abuja edition marked the beginning of the birth of a new dawn in the Zakat and Awqaf sector in the country.

    Alhaji AbdulMutallab said: “We are poised and committed to take Zakat and Awqaf administration to greater heights throughout the length and breadth of the country. Our focus is to impact positive values in the lives of the common man as well as uplift the living standards and care of the poor and the most vulnerable people in the country. Hence, the choice of our core values with the acronym CARE which stands for Competency, Accountability, Reliability and Empowerment of the less-privileged which implies our affection and compassion.

  • NPower beneficiaries protest non-payment in Ibadan

    Scores of beneficiaries of the NPower Job initiative of the Federal Government in Oyo State yesterday protested their  unpaid monthly stipends.

    The protesters, who marched on the Ministry of Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Social Development in Ibadan, said they were cleared for payment.

    They said their colleagues in other states had been paid.

    Special Adviser to Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, said 200,000 unemployed youths across the 36 states and FCT had been posted to their respective places of work, adding that they will receive their stipend from December 1.

    One of the beneficiaries, Kehinde Omolola, from Akinyele Local Government urged the office of the Vice President to intervene in the matter to prevent corrupt officials from converting their allowances.

    “I am one of the beneficiaries of NPower. We have not been paid. State officials did not tell us anything, they have been ‘tossing’ us. We have gone to the secretariat to complain, they did not tell us anything.

    Another beneficiary, Folarin Dipo, from Oluyole Local Government Area lamented that their counterparts in other states have been paid.

    Another beneficiary, who identified himself as Damilare from Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, urged the government to rescue them.

    An official of the Poverty Alleviation Department in the ministry, Adekunle Sunday, who chased the protesters out of the premises, declared that the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya, is the one in charge of the programme.

    Adekunle, who did not want to be quoted, said the problem might be due to error in account details supplied.

    “Some of them have changed their names due to marriage, if the information is different from the account details supplied, will you pay. Some of them, their documents are not complete, so tell them.

    “Please everybody should leave here. Vacate this place.”

  • N20b green bond for 1.1m beneficiaries

    N20b green bond for 1.1m beneficiaries

    Nigeria plans to float Africa’s first sovereign green bond in March to raise N20 billion for environment-friendly infrastructure.

    To benefit are  44 universities and more than 1.1 million people in various communities.

    The proceeds of green bond must be applied to environment and climate-friendly projects.

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who spoke at the investors’ conference for the green bond at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), yesterday, said the issuance of the green bond would open up vast opportunities for the country, the capital market and the populace.

    He said the net proceeds of the N20 billion green bond, the first to be launched by any African government, would be used to fund projects that would reduce carbon emissions and develop renewable energy.

    He said the net proceeds of the bond would be used to fund Solar Unit Distribution Programme (SUDIP), Renewable Energy Micro-Utilities in 45 communities, Energising Education Programme (EEP), FCT Bus Rapid Transport and Afforestation Programme among others.

     ”Power has posed a major challenge and barrier to effective learning institutional operation and student residences in our universities. This programme would improve access to power to 37 federal universities and seven university teaching hospitals across the country. It would also impact the residents of surrounding communities in the total of about 1.110 million people. In total, 119 megawatts of power would be provided in this scheme out of which 60 megawatts would be solar power,” Osinbajo said.

    According to him, green bond is a crucial achievement in Nigeria’s determined battle against the consequences of climate change, a phenomenon which in many ways is important to livelihoods and development of today.

    He noted that the green bond will add to the portfolio of instruments available for fund raising at the Nigerian capital market, adding that it is both an opportunity to deepen Nigerian capital market and to combat poverty.

     ”We are witnessing an alliance between finance and environment. It is an opportunity to deepen our capital market and make a dent in combating poverty and inequality,” the acting president said.

    Osinbajo pointed out that the green bond was meant to support the country’s shift to non-oil base assets and attract private capital to finance the much-needed assets at this challenging time of the Nigerian economy.

    “Doing this as a sovereign gives us the opportunity to lay strong foundations that serve broader market of bond issuers and pipeline of projects to states,” Osinbajo said.

    Minister of Environment Amina Mohammed described the issuance as a demonstration of the commitment of the government to diversify the economy, create jobs and improving security and quality of life.

     “Our domestic market needs to rally around our own domestic issuances. The recently issued Euro Bonds are a testament to us that the Nigerian market is still viable. So, let’s translate that to domestic issuances”, Mrs Mohammed said.

    She added that greening the Nigerian economy and financial systems will in the long run support the country’s sustainability efforts and improve the economy as it will open new avenues for new jobs, innovation and skill.

    According to her, the green bond will improve partnerships and collaboration with the private sector, a key element of cooperation that all stakeholders must continue to encourage.

    She pointed out that the government’s new proposed economic recovery and growth plan identifies the green bonds as one of the alternative sources of financing.

    “The improving partnership with government and the private sector will keep the momentum of the green bonds process. It provides opportunities for the private sector to being the process of connecting the three strands of sustainable development – economic, social and environment for long term sustainable development,” Mohammed said.

  • Beneficiaries praise BoI’s entrepreneurship scheme

    Beneficiaries praise BoI’s entrepreneurship scheme

    With the commencement of the second phase of the N10 billion Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) initiated by the Bank of Industry (BoI), beneficiaries have lauded the bank for assisting them to realise their entrepreneurial dream.

    YES aims to tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria by developing their capacity and funding their business ideasstart-ups – at concessionary interest rates.

    The scheme was launched by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelama, last year.

    He said the programme was designed to equip young people with skills and knowledge to be self-employed by starting and managing their own businesses.

    He noted that about 1.8 million young Nigerians enter the saturated labour market annually, adding that the new scheme is expected to create about 6,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect ones yearly.

    Some of the beneficiaries of the ,while sharing their experiences recently in Lagos, noted that the initiative has helped in addressing the rising unemployment concerns among youths.

  • Beneficiaries praise BoI’s YES scheme

    Beneficiaries praise BoI’s YES scheme

    With the commencement of the second phase of the N10 billion Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) scheme, beneficiaries  have praised the Bank of Industry (BoI) for assisting them in realising their entrepreneurial dream.

    YES was initiated by the Bank of Industry (BoI) to tackle youth unemployment  by developing their capacity and funding their business ideas.

    The scheme, aimed at developing the entrepreneurial capacity of youths and providing start-up loans at concessionary interest rates, was launched by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, last March.

    According to the Minister, the programme was designed to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to be self-employed. He noted that about 1.8 million young Nigerians enter the saturated labour market yearly, adding that the new scheme was expected to create a minimum of 6,000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs yearly.

    Some of the beneficiaries noted that the initiative has helped in addressing the rising unemployment concerns among youths.

    One of them, from Lagos, Florence Bankole, said: ‘The YES application process was transparent; all you needed to do was provide details about your business and how you intend to use the finance if accessed.

    “Upon enrolling for the online courses, one of the key learning points for me was managing my time effectively and efficiently by prioritising aright with the aid of several time management tools. I am glad I made it this far.”

    For Sani Mohammed, an indigene of Kaduna State: ‘The online course has been a great opportunity for young entrepreneurs like me to gain more business knowledge. The lessons I learnt from this programme cannot be quantified. That missing link in my knowledge to become successful is what the programme is gradually filling in and preparing me for what is yet to come.’

    Similarly, Abdul Bala Ishaq from Niger State said: “I had just started my agro-allied business when I heard about the YES programme on television. I least believed that a programme such as this will be as transparent as it has been.

    “The online training has been enriching and full of exploration of new ideas, skills and knowledge that, prior to now, I wouldn’t have known. Lessons derived so far from the courses have been very helpful in the day-to-day running of my farm.”

    BoI’s Acting Managing Director Waheed Olagunju said unlike conventional loan requirements, the YES initiative has liberal collateral requirements, including NYSC certificates, approved guarantors and others.

    According to him, collateral requirements for the loan include: debenture over the assets of the company or specific charge over the equipment (present and future); deposit of original NYSC certificate and higher educational certificate (Ordinary National Diploma, Higher National Diploma or University Degree) with BOI, subject to the certificate being certified by Background Check International (BCI).

    Beneficiaries are also required to provide two external guarantors acceptable to BoI.

  • MarketMoni beneficiaries get cash

    The Federal Government has commenced disbursement of interest-free loans to the latest accredited beneficiaries of MarketMoni, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), targeting market women and traders, artisans, youths and farmers.

    MarketMoni is one of four schemes under the Social Intervention Programme of the Government, and is being executed by the Bank of Industry (BoI).

    As part of the efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to stimulate the economy and deepen financial inclusion for the under-banked and unbanked, over 24,000 Nigerians, including market women and traders, artisans, and youths – have so far benefited from the scheme since its roll-out last December.

    The Office of the Vice-President said the Federal Government has commenced disbursements in 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory, through the BoI, saying it would be expanded cover all the states over the next two months. The areas of current disbursement include Abuja, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.

    At an Abuja stakeholder discussion on the scheme, BoI Acting Managing Director, Waheed Olagunju, reiterated that MarketMoni was a demonstration of the government’s resolve to accelerate development of Nigeria’s microenterprises. He urged beneficiaries to be judicious in the use of the funds and to pay back, as it enables the programme to remain sustainable and expand its reach to millions of Nigerians and stimulate economic activity at the base of the pyramid.

    BoI’s Executive Director, Microenterprises, Ms. Toyin Adeniji said: “Not only does access to affordable finance enable people grow their economic opportunity; it also breaks poverty barriers and pushes the frontiers of inclusive growth and financial advancement. The target N140-billion programme seeks to deliver this. We are working round the clock to scale the programme, and we are happy with the progress we have made so far.”

  • Fadama makes case for more beneficiaries in Anambra

    Fadama makes case for more beneficiaries in Anambra

    The National Project Coordinator of Fadama lll AF, Tayo Adewunmi, has advised the Anambra State Fadama Coordinating Office to step up disbursement of funds to farmers.
    Adewunmi spoke during a one-day stakeholders meeting in Awka, the state capital.
    He advised community leaders to show more commitment to enable the contractors deliver effectively.
    He lauded the achievements of the state government in agricultural production and processing, especially in vegetables export.
    Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export Afam Mbanefo promised that Anambra State will step up agricultural activities in the next three months.
    He commended the National Fadama Coordination Office for its kind gesture and trust in Anambra State.
    Mbanefo hailed contractors for returning to sites and urged them to step up the early completion of all roads and irrigation facilities before the end of March.
    He said the country would benefit a lot if all concerned remained dedicated to the FADAMA ideals.
    Other at the meeting included the SSA to the Governor on Agric., Engraved. Mike Ogbuekwe, the SSA and the SA on Fadama, Dr. Joe Okonkwo and Mr. Obinna Efobi, respectively, as well as traditional

    From the right is the National Project Coordination, Fadama III Project Additional Financing, Mr. Tayo Adewunmi during a visit to Anambra State Fadama Coordinating Office. By his right is the Commissioner for Agric. Mr. Afam Mbanefo followed by the SSA on Fadama. Next to him is the State Project Coordinator, Mr. Patrick Egbueh and by his left is the Rural Institutional Development Specialist, Mr. T.O Arokoye

    Chris Obinabo
    Communication Officer