Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has commended the Federal Government on the commencement of payment to the first batch of awardees for the five thousand naira Conditional Cash Transfer programme intended for poor Nigerians.
The pilot stage of the Social Investment Programme kicked off last week in some select states including Kogi State, in fulfillment of this administration’s campaign promise, with some of the beneficiaries already acknowledging receipt of payment.
In a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Petra Akinti Onyegbule, a visibly happy Governor Bello lauded the social welfare programme which aims at ameliorating the plight of millions of vulnerable Nigerians around the country, and hailed government’s penciling down of the State for the initial run.
“The delivery of this promise by the Federal Government at a time many have dismissed it as the usual campaign rhetoric is heartwarming, and a sign that the harsh economic climate and general downturn is not getting the better of us.
“Also coming on the heels of the administration’s Homegrown School Feeding programme for primary school kids, as well as the N-Power programme for unemployed graduates around the country, it underlines the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to meeting the needs of Nigerians of all social strata.”
Appealing to beneficiaries to make do with the token sum, the Governor assured that government at both state and federal level will continue to act in the best interest of the people, to ensure their living standards are gradually improved upon.
He also encouraged the Federal Government to not relent on its efforts and keep the momentum going in the New Year by consolidating on the commendable gains recorded so far.
