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House Launches Full-Scale Probe into NG-CARES, Queries N1.06trn Palliative Impact

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House Committee on NG-CARES has initiated a full investigation into the implementation of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Initiative programme, expressing deep concerns over its failure to alleviate the economic hardship faced by vulnerable Nigerians despite a staggering ₦1.06 trillion already disbursed.

Speaking at a press briefing today, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Abubakar Kusada, raising serious concerns over the disconnect between government efforts and the visible impact on citizens.

The Chairman declared that the Committee would be invoking its constitutional oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89 to get to the root of the matter.

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According to the Chairman, the NG-CARES initiative, was originally designed to address the socioeconomic fallout from COVID-19 and later adapted to cushion the effects of subsidy removal and forex unification—has fallen short of its goals.

“There has been widespread and strident agitation by a large segment of Nigerians against alleged neglect of hardships occasioned by recent economic reforms.

We are compelled to ask why the NG-CARES programme has not impacted the vulnerable groups in Nigeria, despite the enormous resources committed.

“The programme is funded by the government with credit from the World Bank. After surviving the devastation of Covid-19, the federal government retained the social intervention as palliative measures under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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“The government has kept faith with its responsibilities. The first 4-year phase of the programme ends in December 2025, and the fourth and last tranche of payment has just been released to the states. On the whole, approximately $696 million, or ₦1.06 trillion in today’s terms, has been committed to NG-CARES 1”, he said.

Despite this, Kusada stated, “It is most surprising that the effect of these palliatives is not being felt by the target vulnerable groups. There is still a loud cry of government neglect of the plight of Nigerians enduring the brunt of economic reforms.

“As at now, the backlash on this matter is such that the people have reserved a day of reckoning for the government at the coming elections.”

 

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Key Areas Under Investigation

The Committee’s investigation will cover all aspects of the programme’s design and delivery, especially its focus on three major Result Areas (RAs) and 11 critical Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), including social transfers, agricultural support, and MSME grants.

“There is clearly a disconnect between cause and effect as contemplated in the design of the NG-CARES project.

“It is intended to fully address the critical needs, and provide sufficient relief to the most vulnerable people in society”, the Chairman stated.

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He further noted that the funds were disbursed through existing delivery platforms like CSDP, FADAMA, SOCU, YESSO, SEEFOR, and GEEP, which were meant to ensure accountability and effectiveness. But despite this, the programme appears to have suffered from either implementation failure or outright mismanagement.

“We are asking hard questions. Were the funds embezzled? Were the funds misappropriated or diverted to serve other purposes in the state? Did the utilization of the funds create enough value for money? Was there undue inflation of contracts? Did the contract procurement follow due process?”, he said.

 

Verifications and Accountability

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The Chairman was resolute in his tone as he outlined the Committee’s intention to go beyond mere rhetoric and deliver concrete findings.

“Several states have claimed billions for social transfer (DLI 1.1). These beneficiaries are Nigerians that can be reached. If fake names have been used to claim social transfer, we will say so.”

He also raised red flags over claims made under the agricultural and MSME support components:

“States have collected billions for Agricultural Inputs and services, for Labour Intensive Agric Infrastructure, for procurement of Agric Assets, and for development and upgrading of wet markets. If we verify these claims, we will also disclose the impact they have had on food supply, food prices, and the plight of ordinary Nigerians. If we are unable to verify the claims, we will name and shame the affected states and insist that the right thing be done.”

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On MSME interventions, he declared: “We will verify the grants and other support purportedly given to MSEs for recovery and economic stimulus. Billions of naira has been collected by states for these interventions to small businesses. If the funds have been properly applied, Nigerians in search of safety nets can be told where to look. If the funds have been diverted, the affected states should restore the funds and utilize them properly.”

 

No Witch-Hunt, Just Accountability

Rep. Kusada emphasised that the probe is not a witch-hunt: “The full-scale investigation we carry out regarding the administration of palliatives through NG-CARES is not a witch-hunt but intended to set the records straight, and hopefully address the plight of vulnerable Nigerians under the weight of hardships occasioned by economic reforms.

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“Let the right things be done and let the Nigerian people be better for it. We want to establish a nexus, a clear cause and effect, between the resources provided by the Federal Government as social safety nets, and the relief impact that the Nigerian people feel”.

The Committee aims to publicly report its findings and ensure that all parties involved are held accountable. As the investigation begins, Nigerians are waiting with bated breath for answers to a critical question posed by the Chairman himself:

“Has the Federal Government abandoned the people without succor OR have they provided palliative cushion to alleviate the difficulties of reform measures?”

“If this had been done, then let the people know and let the complaints cease. If this had not been done, let it be done, by those who now hold the funds that have already been made available—period!”, he added.

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‘Na God go punish you and your family.’ — Davido hits back at critic

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Nigerian music star, Davido, has engaged in a heated exchange on social media after a user reacted to a post in which he expressed concern over the state of affairs in Nigeria.

The remarks were contained in a post shared on the singer’s official social media page.

Davido admitted that entertainers, including himself, had not done enough to speak up against the challenges confronting Nigerians, stressing that the level of injustice in the country had become alarming.

His comments, however, drew criticism from a social media user identified as Princess Luna, who questioned the sincerity of the singer’s concerns and accused him of being hypocritical.

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“Na God go punish you and your family. Go and do that performative rubbish in your City Boys group chat and get out of my face with all this pretentious nonsense. Na foolish Nigerians I blame,” she wrote.

In response, Davido denied belonging to any political group and defended his history of speaking out on national issues.

The singer recalled facing criticism after publicly commenting on governance issues during an appearance on American media platforms.

He also clarified that his relationship with President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, was purely personal, stating that they had been friends for years and that he regularly voiced his concerns about the country’s situation to him.

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Davido subsequently fired back at the critic, ending the exchange with a strongly worded rebuke directed at her generation.

“I can’t lie, we entertainers… we dey fuck up, I won’t lie, including me. We need to speak up. It’s too much injustice going on. Our country don go,”

“I no dey part of any City Boy group. When I called out the government on American media, you guys rained curses on me.

“I’ve been friends with ST for years and that’s where it stops, and I call and complain to him all the time, even in person.

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“God punish your generation,” the singer wrote.

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US set to resume attacks on Iran if talks fail — Hegseth

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The United States has warned that it is prepared to restart military strikes against Iran if ongoing negotiations fail to produce a lasting agreement, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday, Hegseth said Washington possessed the capability and military resources to resume operations if diplomacy breaks down.

“Our ability to recommence if necessary, we are more than capable,” Hegseth said, adding that U.S. weapons stockpiles were sufficient to sustain military action if required.

The Pentagon chief stressed that the U.S. remained committed to security in the Indo-Pacific region despite its involvement in the conflict with Iran, insisting that Washington could simultaneously manage challenges in multiple regions.

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“We can do two things at one time. We’re super-charging our defence industrial base so that we’re building two, three and four times the munitions needed to ensure our operational plans are properly funded around the world,” he said.

Hegseth also praised U.S. President Donald Trump for pursuing a diplomatic solution, describing him as “patient” and focused on securing an agreement that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

His comments came as U.S. and Iranian negotiators continued efforts to bridge major differences that have stalled talks aimed at ending months of conflict. Trump said on Friday that he would meet with senior advisers in a secure room at the White House to make a “final determination” on a proposal that could extend an early-April truce by another 60 days and provide additional time for negotiations.

The war, launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, has reportedly claimed thousands of lives, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, while also contributing to higher global energy prices.

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We’re using 31 days to commission projects in FCT to mark Tinubu’s 3rd year anniversary – Wike

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced an unprecedented 31-day marathon project commissionings across the nation’s capital to celebrate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

​Speaking at a political luncheon in Port Harcourt, the Minister showcased the administrative landmark achievements under his watch, attributing the massive infrastructural development to the strategic backing and vision of the President.

​According to Wike, the month-long commissioning circuit will feature major road networks, public utilities, and massive urban renewal projects designed to completely reshape the nation’s capital.

Brushing aside critics, the Minister issued a direct challenge regarding the scale and quality of his administration’s output in the FCT.

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​”This third year of Mr. President alone…, we are taking 31 days for commissioning of projects in Abuja. I’m not talking about boreholes. I challenge anybody to contradict this” Wike stated.

​He emphasized that the rapid development unfolding in Abuja is a direct testament to purposeful leadership, throwing down a challenge to opposition figures to match the scale of the ongoing works.

​While highlighting his milestones in the FCT, the former Rivers State Governor pivoted to a surprisingly reconciliatory tone regarding the intense political friction in his home state, offering a blanket pardon to all political opponents.

​”I use this opportunity today, to announce that I have forgiven everybody,” Wike declared, stressing that prolonged political warfare serves no constructive purpose.

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​”I want you to come back home sincerely… We have played politics, we have abused ourselves, this is the right time for you to come back,” he added, urging estranged allies and adversaries alike to swallow their pride and return to a unified fold.

​Despite the sweeping offer of peace, the Minister did not mince words regarding the resilience of his political structure back home, which he described as an invincible “rainbow coalition.”

​Wike issued strong warnings and assertions regarding the political landscape.

He explicitly warned external forces against attempting to destabilize Rivers State, stating, “Anybody from another state who is trying to destroy Rivers State, the person will have problems… You put your hand, you get fire.”

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​He asserted that his political machinery has effectively locked down future electoral cycles.

“If you are talking about the governorship election in this state, forget it, it’s gone… If you are thinking that any miracle will happen to overturn, to pull the rug off us, it’s a lie,” he stated.

​ Reassuring his supporters of their strategic dominance, he noted, “We are very over-alerted anytime, any day. We’ll take you back, we’ll work with everybody. We are not selfish.”

While other states grapple with internal party crises and bitter conflicts within both the PDP and APC, Wike maintained that his political coalition remained secured and fully prepared to maintain its dominance for the next eight years and beyond.

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