News

Financial Inclusion: FG Distributes 3,000 POS To Women In FCT

Published

6 months ago

May 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as women affairs minister say ‘Iwill come after you if you don’t use it’

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government on Thursday launched the ‘PLUG-IN At Women’ and distribution of 37,000 Point Of Sale Terminal (POS) machines to women across the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory Abuja, in collaboration with PLUG Platform Group, an organisation that promotes financial inclusion in the country.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, in her address, at the launch in Abuja warned the women not to sell, transfer ownership or keep idle the free POS machines that would be distributed nationwide.

According to the Minister, the POS will ensure ease of doing business and boost the economic status of women in Nigeria.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the first phase of the free 3,000 Units of POS will be distributed among some women in the FCT.

The Minister stated: “Some of you might be thinking that it is something that they will sell, I will come after you if you sell it.

“If you know that you are not going to operate this POS by yourself, don’t take it.

“Before you are handed over this POS, you must have been registered in the system and we will be tracking you. Our eyes are on you.

“So, if you don’t need it, don’t collect it because the problem we have in Nigeria is that things meant for certain people, greedy ones will grab it. The ministry of Women Affairs will come after you”, she warned.

Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that two months after the distribution of the POS machines, the beneficiaries would be monitored to see the progress made and the number of transactions carried out to ensure the objectives are met.

She also advised the women to register in the ministry’s e-portal to enable them have to access financial support and business opportunities. She added that plans were underway for 400,000 women nationwide to benefit ₦25,000 monthly each for three months.

“If you know that you can’t meet up after two months, return it to the ministry and the partner, PLUG.

“Anyone that wants to help Nigerian women should go through the portal, and send them money directly to avoid diversion, selfishness and others.

“So, I am encouraging every woman to get involved, sell and advertise what you have through the portal.

“We don’t need to over labour the women, we ahve a portal. In that portal you can register directly without coming here and we can track then through the portal. We can communicate with them through the portal. So all we need to do is collect the link, so that you don’t only register yourself, you register your neighbour, you register your friend.

“As we speak we started this in less thank 4 week and we have over 400,000 women already registered.

“About transaction, uf they give you like two months to be able to help yourself. After two months that you have been given enough opportunity to create how you are going to make money and you are not doing up to 20 transactions a day, I will ask them to retrieve it from you”, she stated.

The Chief Executive Officer of PLUG Platform Group, Okeimute Akoko, explained that the initiative was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda which is to see to the Empowerment of Nigerian women.

She said: “The initiative is to plug women into financial and social empowerment, which the ministry and every Nigerian woman share on financial prosperity and empowerment.

“It is about the lives that will be transformed by the opportunities we are providing and giving the Nigerian women the chance to live a healthier and prosperous life”.

“We believe that working with the ministry we could reach to the unreached in the rural areas.

“Women will also benefit from the health insurance coverage at ₦200 charged monthly”.

Okeimurte said those who might wish to benefit from the POS machines were expected to come with two passport photographs, a utility bill, a National Identification Number (NIN), and a Bank Verification Number (BVN).

The Permanent of the Ministry, Gabriel Aduda, in his welcome address said the initiative was to empower women economically, eradicate poverty and achieve the 2030 target of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs).

Represented by Funke Ladipo, he stated: “Of course we are starting with the FCt because we are all based in the FCT, and this distribution will be taken to all the 36 states of the federation”.

One of the beneficiaries Mrs Elizabeth Agbo, who was presented the POS said it will be used to ease her business financial transactions.

Agbo assured that she would key into the ₦200 monthly healthcare insurance programme to access healthcare services.

News

Reps Urge FG To Make Available Reliable Data On Housing Deficit

Published

7 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to provide scientific, verifiable data on the housing deficit and improve access to affordable housing in the Nigeria.

This resolution was sequel to the adopting of a motion by Rep. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, member representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, on the “Provision of affordable housing in Nigeria,” Tuesday at plenary.

Rep. Ukpong-Udo who noted that data is considered an important factor in the planning and execution of projects across all tiers of government, said the housing sector in Nigeria, with a huge deficit, lacks veritable data for planning and execution of housing policies and strategies.

He stated: “The House is aware that according to the world population review, over 24 million people in Nigeria are homeless, with no appropriate access to proper dwelling with some basic social amenities.

“The House is worried that Nigeria is among the top 10 countries with homeless populations, leading with 24 million, followed by Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, and Congo.”

The House also expressed displeasure that the country relies on the World Bank report for housing data, and that for a nation to grow and enjoy stability, there is the need to have its housing data as well as a market that works efficiently and provides decent shelter for its citizens.

The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Housing and Habitat to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to address the lack of credible, scientific, and verifiable data on the state of housing in the country and ensure access to decent and affordable housing.

News

Provide Adequate Security For Transmission Towers Across Nigeria – Reps Tell FG

Published

7 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has charge the Federal Government through the Ministry of Interior, to urgently provide adequate security for Transmission Towers across the country to avoid future occurrences of vandalism.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep Oboku Oforji, lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Kolokoma-Opokuma federal constituency of Bayelsa State on Tuesday at plenary.

In his lead debate, Rep. Oforji noted that on July 29, 2024, residents of Yenagoa and Bayelsa State in general woke up to a total blackout occasioned by the collapse of a Transmission Station between Emezhi and Mbaima in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State and three others between Igbogene and Nedugo Agbia in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

According to him, the Bayelsa State Government in collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, swiftly swung into action to address the challenges that has culminated in dwindling of socio-economic activities in the state.

He further noted that saddened that on the 19th of November, 2024, just as the work was nearing completion, at Ula-Akpata, in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, some hoodlums went and vandalised a section of the lines.

The motion reads in part: “By this development, the woes of the residents of Bayelsa State still subsist for one or two days, because as we speak the people of the State are in total blackout, this has been the situation for over 4 months.

“The efforts of the Bayelsa State Government in mobilizing financial and material resources to support the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is highly commended. However, proactive measures must be taken to forestall future occurrences of vandalism of these Transmission Towers.

“As a representative of my people this brings to mind the provisions of Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) which talks about our economic and social rights as citizens, which I believe should not be taken for granted by the government”.

The House adopted the motion and mandated its Committees on Interior and Power to ensure compliance.

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Heading For France

Published

9 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Naijablitznews

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for a state visit to France.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Emmanuel Macron invited his Nigerian counterpart to the European country.

Onanuga said the three-day visit will focus “on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation among others”.

“President Tinubu who will be traveling with the First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, will be received on Thursday at the 350-year-old French military museum, Les Invalides and Palais de l’Élysée, by Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings.”

“During the visit, President Tinubu and President Macron will harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.

“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication. They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.

“Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss the latter’s passion for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative,” the statement read.

Tinubu and his wife who will be hosted to a state dinner by the French leader before their departure, will be accompanied by top government officials.