🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Over 460,000 households benefit from cash transfer in Kwara State
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Federal Government and Kwara State Government are intensifying social protection efforts, with over 460,000 households benefiting from the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer Programme. This was announced during a visit by Dr. Bernard M. Doro, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, to Ilorin. The engagement brought together federal and state officials, development partners, and beneficiaries from across the state's 16 local government areas. Dr. Doro commended Kwara State for its strong implementation and commitment, calling the program a critical pillar in Nigeria's poverty reduction strategy and a model for federal-state collaboration. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and data-driven targeting to reach vulnerable households and urged beneficiaries to use funds judiciously. The Minister assured continued federal commitment to scaling humanitarian interventions. Mariam Imam, Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, highlighted the program's alignment with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's vision for social inclusion, particularly for orphans, vulnerable children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. She noted that the HOPE-CT program has reached over 183,000 households in the first phase, 139,000 in the second, and 141,000 in the third. Bolanle Olukoju, Commissioner for Communications, stated that over 463,000 households are expected to benefit. Dr. AbdulWasiu Tejidini, Acting General Manager of KWASSIP, noted Kwa
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, met with Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday. This meeting is part of Hamzat's ongoing consultations for the 2027 governorship race. Hamzat stated on his X account that the engagement was a platform to review the state's progress and discuss collaborative efforts to strengthen Lagos. Gbajabiamila also posted on his X handle, confirming the visit was for consultations regarding Hamzat's aspiration to lead Lagos. He added that they would continue to share ideas on moving Lagos forward and building on past work. This meeting follows other early-stage political consultations by the deputy governor, including one with members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, has previously expressed support for Hamzat’s governorship bid.
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Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated that the escalation of the #EndSARS protests in 2020 was due to widespread fake news and disinformation, which he described as the government’s biggest challenge during that period. The protests, which began on October 8, 2020, as peaceful demonstrations against police brutality, particularly the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, gained momentum on social media. Mohammed, speaking at the London School of Economics and Political Science, noted that while the protests initially reflected genuine public frustration, they took a different direction as unverified information circulated. He specifically mentioned that the situation worsened when misleading content spread across traditional and digital platforms, especially after troops were deployed to the Lekki Toll Gate. Mohammed criticized CNN, alleging that some of its reports relied on unverified content, which he claimed heightened tensions and shaped global perceptions. He also discussed Nigeria's communication strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the multi-channel approach adopted, including daily briefings and outreach in local languages, to counter misinformation. Mohammed defended the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, stating it was a considered decision after attempts to address concerns over misinformation and divisive content failed. These remarks were part of his three-day UK speaking tour, where he discussed leadership, governance, and public
Must ReadThe Steering Committee on the establishment of a State Police Service SPS, chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, has recommended a strong, multi-layered oversight framework to safeguard against political interference. In its report to the News Agency of Nigeria, the committee emphasized that robust, independent, and multi-layered accountability is crucial for ensuring that state police serve their communities rather than political patrons. The proposed architecture aims to create overlapping lines of accountability to prevent systematic abuse. The report highlights that effective policing relies on public trust, which is built on strong oversight, citing past issues like the #EndSARS movement and extortion scandals as examples of the consequences of insufficient accountability within the Nigeria Police Force. The committee proposes establishing State Police Service Commissions SPSC in each state as independent constitutional bodies. These commissions would include a retired High Court judge, a retired senior police officer, a senior legal academic, public administration experts, a civil society member with a human rights background, a representative of traditional rulers, a women’s rights advocate, and a youth representative. Members would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State House of Assembly for a four-year tenure. The SPSC's functions would include appointing, confirming, promoting, and disciplining SPS members, reviewing and approving the state police bud