The Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has promised to pay N-Power beneficiaries their withheld eight-month allowances.

The N-Power National Programme Manager, Akindele Egbuwalo, confirmed this, adding that the affected persons are beneficiaries of the Batch C programme who had been owed for eight months.

The Federal Government had suspended the N-Power programme last week, stating that the scheme had ghost beneficiaries, while some of its consultants were withholding participants’ funds.

The N-Power programme was established by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to address youth unemployment with beneficiaries paid N30,000 monthly stipend.

Akindele, in a statement, noted that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation had recovered some funds.

At the meeting held with representatives of the N-Power beneficiaries, he said: “The good news is that the funds have been recovered and you will be getting your money soon. Payment for N-Power Beneficiaries Batch C who have been owed for eight months will begin soon.”

Akindele revealed that the Minister of Humanitarian affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, was able to address irregularities within the Program and other social investment programmes.

He said, “These irregularities have made the common man to lose faith in the ability of Government to provide social safety cover for its population but Dr Betta Edu is engaging all necessary steps to resolve these issues and deliver the Renewed Hope Mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Nigerians

“Many irregularities which hitherto had sabotaged the smooth implementation of the Program are being addressed.

“It would be recalled that on assumption of duty it was noted that many beneficiaries did not receive payment for their monthly allowances while monies were been held up by the consultant managing the enrollment and payment system whose contract had long expired.” 

This is coming barely two months after The Batch “C” of N-Power beneficiaries wrote to Tinubu to call for his urgent intervention as they lamented that they had not been paid their stipends for the past eight months.

The N-Power batch “C” beneficiaries in the letter written by their National Publicity Secretary, Gbadebo Adesiyan, said that the nonpayment of the stipends had caused immense distress, inconveniences and hardship to millions of unemployed Nigerian graduates captured under the scheme.

According to Adesiyan, they were told that the delay on the payment of their stipends was because funds for the said unpaid months had not been approved or disbursed into the National Social Investment Management System (NASIMS) account by the presidency.

With a spirit of optimism and enthusiasm, the Central Planning Committee (CPC) for the highly anticipated 2nd NYCN South Youth Leadership Conference, Awards Conferment Ceremony, and Reception was inaugurated on October 12, 2023. This significant event, set to take place in the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, signifies a momentous milestone in the realm of youth leadership and recognition.

The primary objective of this grand occasion is to honor exceptional individuals who have made remarkable contributions to various fields of endeavor. In the Southern Senatorial District, there is a wealth of talented sons and daughters who have achieved great success in their respective domains. The 2nd NYCN South Youth Leadership Conference and Awards Conferment Ceremony will shine a spotlight on their outstanding accomplishments.

Leading the planning and execution of this prestigious event are two highly respected figures. Comr. Benjamin Edet, the State NYCN Auditor and CRS State Vice Chairman of YOUWICAN, serves as the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee. Working alongside him is Comr. Rev. ThankGod Arong, the Senate President of the Post Graduates Student Union at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), who plays a crucial role as the Secretary. Their vision and dedication promise to make this event truly unforgettable.

This celebration of excellence and leadership presents an opportunity for collaboration, partnership, and sponsorship. The organizers extend an invitation to like-minded organizations and individuals who wish to contribute to this momentous occasion. For more information on how to get involved, please reach out to the following contacts:

– V.C South: 08131249969
– CPC Chairman: 08063756662
– CPC Secretary: 08162804431

The excitement grows as the Central Planning Committee takes the helm and the event inches closer to its grand unveiling in November 2023. The 2nd NYCN South Youth Leadership Conference and Awards Conferment Ceremony promises to be a landmark event for the Southern Senatorial District. It is a platform for recognizing, celebrating, and empowering exceptional individuals who have made a lasting impact on their communities and fields of endeavor.

As November 2023 approaches, the stage is set for a memorable and transformative celebration of excellence in the Southern Senatorial District. This event highlights the district’s commitment to nurturing and empowering its youth leaders for the greater advancement of society.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African nations are at a turning point in their relations with China.

As a result, the Fund stated that the Chinese government is starting to lessen its exposure in the region.

According to the IMF, African nations must begin to look into domestic funding for their projects.

It stated this in a report titled “At Crossroads: Sub-Saharan Africa Relations with China,” published on Friday, October 13, 2023.

China is Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest trading partner

The report claims that over the past two decades, Sub-Saharan Africa and China have developed mutually advantageous economic relationships. China has grown to be the region’s largest trading partner, a substantial supplier of credit, and a significant investor in foreign direct investment.

But it also noted that China’s assistance to Africa had received some criticism. Due to a downturn in growth and a decrease in appetite for risk, China has curtailed its lending efforts in sub-Saharan Africa.

It noted:

“The projected future deceleration in China’s growth is likely to affect African trading partners negatively over the medium term, mainly through reduced trade. Therefore, countries in the region must strengthen their resilience and implement structural reforms to foster economic diversification, deepen intraregional trade, enhance competitiveness, and catalyze domestic growth.”

The IMF advised Nigeria to review its economic policy in light of the trend and China’s declining influence on the region.

Building resilience, in the opinion of the IMF, will aid in mitigating the adverse effects of China’s slowing GDP. According to the Fund, increasing regional trade integration allows African states to diversify their export and import markets.

It noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds great promise. However, the IMF said its implementation will necessitate a significant lowering of trade restrictions and enhancements to the general trading environment. This, it said, includes a reduction of non-tariff trade restrictions.

According to the report, if all of these predictions come true, median goods trade within Africa may rise by 53%, as well as with the rest of the world, by 15%.

IMF estimates that this may lift 30–50 million people out of extreme poverty and increase the real per capita GDP of the average African nation by more than 10%.

Restoring buffers and bolstering policy frameworks will aid in lowering macroeconomic vulnerabilities and reliance on outside sources

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked a Benue Links bus conveying passengers to Otukpo en-route Naka road in Gwer West Local Government Area of the state at Tyolaha village.

The assailants, said to be heavily armed attacked the vehicle on Thursday, October 12, 2023, killing one passenger.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the incident on Friday, said three people including women were injured and one person died.

Gwer West State Assembly Member, Hon. Gyila Solomon Terlumun, in a statement issued by his Senior Legislative Aide/Media Aide, Akem Peter, said three persons were killed in the attack while several others are still missing.

“Gwer West State Assembly Member, Hon. Gyila Solomon Terlumun, condemns the massacring of a Benue Links bus conveying passengers to Otukpo en-route Naka road Gwer West LG at Tyolaha village by suspected heavily armed Fulani herdsmen killing three persons and many still missing,” the statement reads.

“The honourable member condoles with the victims family and shares in their grief especially that the attack occurred in his constituency where he represents at the State Assembly.

He however call on the state government to station a conventional security checkpoint at Tyolaha village where suspected Fulani arms men has being consistently carrying out attacks almost on daily basis. May the souls of the victims rest in peace. Amen.”