Headline

Tinubu’s regime prioritizing older persons — Minister

Published

2 months ago

October 5, 2023

Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government would do everything humanly possible to prevent Nigeria’s older citizens from slipping below the poverty line.

The Minister spoke Tuesday at an event to commemorate International and National Day of Older Persons, 2023 with the theme; “Fulfilling The Promises Of The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights For Older Persons Across Generations” organised by her Ministry through the National Senior Citizens’ Centre in partnership with the United Nations.

She described Nigeria’s older citizens as the federal government’s priority which must be protected.

The Minister also announced that President Tinubu has directed that her Ministry should set aside 10% of Social Safety Net intervention programmes for older persons in the country.

She said the right of senior citizens in the areas of job security, health, livelihood, agriculture and other development planning must be considered.

According to Dr. Edu, “Presently, older persons are said to be about 14.8million out of the entire population. All the citizens at all levels must be protected. And that’s why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has rightly directed that in all our social welfare interface, which is the Social Safety Net, we must ensure the protection of all Nigerians including the older citizens and prevent them from slipping below the poverty line.

“The President has also directed that those who are under the poverty line must be assisted to get them out of it and must be captured in the social intervention programmes.”

She disclosed that her Ministry would launch two such social intervention programmes this year with emphasis on senior citizens. “We will be providing for senior citizens who are affected by humanitarian crisis. We will be working with the Centre on this. I’m very proud of what the Center is doing in terms of creating a model home where all the senior citizens can feel dignified.”

The Minister appealed to UN Agencies and development partners to factor in the interest and well-being of older citizens in the day-to-day operations.

Also speaking at the event held at the United Nations Office Abuja, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale said the occasion offered everyone an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the protection of the rights of older persons and commended Nigeria for establishing the National Senior Citizens Centre, NSCC, saying it was a step in the right direction.

He regretted that despite the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights, older persons continue to face obstacles in the enjoyment and exorcising of their human rights.

“Ageing is a complex and multifaceted reality that will touch all of us if we are lucky… It is my sincere hope that today’s dialogue will allow for reflections on effective promotion and protection of older persons in Nigeria, focusing on their contributions throughout their life, for the knowledge and expertise they can pass on to younger generations,” Schmale said.

On her part, the Director-General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr. Emem Omakaro commended the Minister for attending the event despite her tight schedule.

She explained that the Centre which began operation in 2021 has in the short period brought to the fore the plight of older persons in Nigeria.

The NSCC DG expressed optimism that with Dr. Edu in charge of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Nigeria’s older citizens would soon enjoy a new lease of life

Related Topics:Betta Edu Bola Tinubu Humanitarian

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President Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval For Fresh $8.6billion, €100million Loans

Published

2 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Olakunle Adeniyi

The president made the request through a letter to the Senate, read during the plenary by the Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, on Tuesday, noting that the fund was to execute critical projects in different sectors.

The President Bola Tinubu-led administration has sought the approval of the Nigerian Senate for $8.6billion and €100million borrowing plan.

The request was said to be part of the federal government 2022-2024 external borrowing plan approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, according to the letter.

Tinubu explained that the projects to be funded with the loan cuts across different sectors of the economy, and were selected based on economic evaluation and the expected contribution to the country’s development.

The letter reads in part;, “I write in respect of the above subject and to submit the attached the federal government 2022-2024 external borrowing plan for consideration and early approval of the National Assembly to ensure prompt implementation of the projects.

“The Senate may wish to note that the past administration approved a 2022-2024 borrowing plan by the federal executive council (FEC) held on May 15, 2023.

“The project cuts across all sectors, with specific emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, water supply, roads, security, and employment generation as well as financial management reforms.

“Consequently, the required approval is in the sum of $8,699,168,559 and €100 million.

“I would like to underscore the fact that the projects and programmes in the borrowing plan were selected based on economic evaluations as well as the expected contribution to the social economic development of the country, including employment generation, and skills acquisition.

“Given the nature of these facilities, and the need to return the country to normalcy it has become necessary for the Senate to consider and approve the 2022- 2024 external abridged borrowing plan to enable the government deliver its responsibility to Nigerians.”

In August, the National Assembly approved President Tinubu’s request for over $800 million loan to finance the National Social Safety Network Programme.

The National Assembly had also approved the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations Act of N819 million “for the provision of Palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal”.

Headline

Tinubu Should Review RECs Appointment – Ex-INEC Chairman, Jega

Published

11 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Ifunaya Emeka

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has called on President Bola Tinubu to review the appointments of the commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

Jega said Tinubu should review their appointments due to concerns that some of the RECs are partisan.

About a month ago, Tinubu had nominated 10 RECs, with the Senate confirming their appointments.

However, some of the RECs have been accused of being involved in partisan politics.

Reacting to the criticisms, Jega said the non-review of their appointment sends the wrong signal.

Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Jega said: “I think there is no doubt that if the President were listening, my advice would be to immediately review the appointment of the Resident Electoral Commissioners that was passed by the Senate recently.

“It’s very, very important because clearly, not only does it send a wrong signal about the government’s intention to improve the integrity of elections, it also suggests, you know, that there is indifference with regards to protecting the independence and impartiality of the election management body.

“I would want to believe that Mr President was either misinformed or is not really furnished with all the necessary details with regards to these appointments.”