Headline

COVID-19: Digital Palliative Payments Essential for Reach, Transparency, Trust

Published

5 years ago

April 24, 2020

Eric

By Joel Popoola

Constant political row about the distribution of aids to those affected by the COVID-19 crisis has proved the value of increased use of digital payments by the government – both for performance and trust.

As a leading Nigerian technology entrepreneur, I welcome an announcement by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, that the government is piloting greater use of digital payments to get money to people who need it.

While announcing an increased role for state governors for the overseeing of the distribution of palliatives to cushion the effects of COVID-19, the minister stated that new technology was also being used to get help to those in need, faster.

“Yes, it is a process that is really cumbersome but with transparency and accountability the ministry has already began the digitalization of this process.

“We have four pilots states that are on digital payroll so far and we are continuing with that. We hope that in our next month payment we will be able to at least have all the states adopt digital payment. It is not a one day thing, it takes a process. And we are using mobile phones, wallets because the BVN of these beneficiaries exist, but it is not all of them that are on the banking system. So we are looking at all these issues.”

This is overdue.

Governments across Africa are already implementing similar measures to shift a greater proportion of financial transactions to mobile money from cash — which the World Health Organisation has highlighted as a major source of spreading the coronavirus.

Research suggests that 140 million Nigerians will own a smartphone by 2025. Almost half of young Nigerians now own a smartphone, with research from analysts Pew showing that 48% of 18-34 year olds, and 39% of all adults, access the internet using their mobile telephone.

To put those figures into context, only 38% of Nigerians voted in our last presidential election. To put it in another way, more Nigerians own a smartphone then vote!

Nigeria is still a very young democracy, but our politics and institutions sometimes feel extremely old. This was the thinking behind my own Rate Your Leader app.

The free app also allows voters to identify and contact their elected representatives at the touch of a button, direct from their phones or tablets – allowing them to rapidly receive important advice and information.

Once upon a time, that information might have come from word of mouth. But those days are gone – and right now it’s impossible.

Rate Your Leader helps politicians engage directly with people who elected them, helping them understand what matters most to the people who elected them and build relationships of trust with the electorate, as well as transmitting vital information during a crisis like the coronavirus outbreak.

Technology like this will be key to surviving the current crisis and to taking our nation to the next level when we have overcome it.

Delivering financial support by hand and in cash is not just incredibly ineffective and inefficient, but also downright dangerous, especially at a time of social distancing. It does nothing for our confidence in the political institutions we are relying on more than ever.

Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 crisis has been characterised by constant political rowing about delivering financial support for those affected by the lockdown and economic downturn – because historically too much money given out by government has ended up in the wrong hands.

As a result, politicians quite rightly don’t trust each other to distribute those resources fairly and transparently, and are at each other’s throats when they should be working hand in hand in the national interest.

Using digital technology to distribute these funds isn’t just safer and doesn’t just get support to people who need it at the touch of the button, it makes it much easier to see where it has gone, make sure it has arrived, and ensure that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, and that can only improve not just the performance of governmental organisations, but their reputation.

Enhanced transparency is critical to Rate Your Leader’s mission to improve the reputation of Nigerian politics using digital technology, and we welcome the steps the government is taking to extend this principle throughout public life and urge them not to end these endeavours when this crisis has passed, but to built on them.

Nigeria has the potential to become Africa’s first digital democracy. We are witnessing an important first step, but political will and ambition will be key to ensuring that we deliver on that potential.

‘To put those figures into context, only 38% of Nigerians voted in our last presidential election. To put it in another way, more Nigerians own a smartphone than vote!’

Joel Popoola is a Nigerian technology entrepreneur, and is the creator of the Rate Your Leader app.

Headline

Why FCT Was Removed from Treasury Single Account – Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2025

Eric

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu explained on Sunday in Abuja that his administration removed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to expedite development and enhance resident participation in governance.
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The President, who received FCT residents at the Presidential Villa for Sallah homage, said the bureaucracy associated with the TSA was hampering infrastructure growth in the capital city and had to be reviewed for impact and progress.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, led the residents during the homage.

President Tinubu highlighted that freeing the FCT from TSA restrictions has swiftly catalysed infrastructure improvements, enhanced healthcare services, and increased security measures.

“I remember the day that the FCT Minister came to meet me, and he said, please take us out of the problem of the TSA so that I can do more work and achieve more. I said show me what you are about to do, and he presented his thinking and belief.

“And everything started changing rapidly. I started seeing the opening up of the rural areas by the FCT, the resuscitation of abandoned projects, and the completion of the Vice President’s official residence that was abandoned for years. The FCT rehabilitated health care centres, upgraded facilities for school children, and provided furniture.

President Tinubu thanked the FCT Minister for proving that liberation from the bureaucracy was necessary and for restructuring the FCT public service so that civil servants could aspire to higher positions and provide leadership.

“We wouldn’t have been able to open our mouths to celebrate if not because of the progressive ideas you brought to FCT. We can now celebrate the innovative ideas brought to the FCT,” President Tinubu said.

President Tinubu encouraged FCT residents and other Nigerians to look beyond ethnic and religious colourations in their leadership choices and focus more on results.

“Today, we live in peace, and security is improving. Hunger is coming down. Food prices are lowering. We can go to the market and do business. And our diversity and belief in ourselves are becoming stronger.

“We are not looking for magic. We are looking for results. We are looking for comfort. We are praying for good health. We are looking for someone who cares,” the President noted.

“The job is not just about Wike or me, but everyone. Nyesom Wike is proving the diversity of Nigeria. He strengthened that diversity to develop prosperity, showing us that we are all members of one family, living together in the same house, in different rooms, and under one roof,” the President said.

President Tinubu urged more tolerance, broadmindedness and patriotism.
“All I appeal for is tolerance, which has brought us this far. We have learnt some lessons from Ramadan. May the lessons continue to be with us,” he said.

The FCT minister thanked the President for hosting the residents in the State House.

“This visit marks a historic moment as it is the first time the FCT residents can extend our greetings and best wishes to you in person during this blessed period. We are genuinely delighted to be here”.

Wike pledged his loyalty to the President and committed himself to developing the capital city, assuring that the FCT would soon complete many projects.

“Despite our varied backgrounds, we are united in our unwavering support for your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.

The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, attended the ceremony.

The FCT delegation included members of the National Assembly, judiciary, religious and traditional leaders, security chiefs and women and youth groups.

Source: State House Press Release

Headline

Eid-El-Fitr Celebration: Tinubu, Shettima Join Nigerian Muslims in Prayers

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Sunday, joined others for prayers at the National Eid ground in Abuja, as Nigerian Muslims mark the Eid-El-Fitr celebrations together with millions of others around the world.

Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and some ministers also observed the prayer at the same venue.

Eid-El-Fitr, meaning the festival of breaking the fast, is a time of gratitude, charity and communal harmony.

It began with special prayers known as Eid prayers held in Mosques and open spaces. Following the prayers, families share festive meals, exchange gifts and extend warm greetings.

Eid is a time to remember those less fortunate and to strengthen the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood. A key component of Eid is Zakat al Fitr, a mandatory charitable donation intended to ensure everyone irrespective of their financial situation can participate in the joy of the celebration.

This act of giving embodies the spirit of compassion and solidarity that Ramdan emphasizes. From the elaborate feast of South Asia to the festive clothing of Nigeria and the African continent and the warm gatherings of the Middle East, Eid celebrations vary across cultures, showcasing the rich diversity of the Muslim world.

However, the underlining message of unity, gratitude and compassion remains universal.

Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf Arab states are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday from today, but other Middle Eastern countries will not do so until Monday.

“The Supreme Court has decided that tomorrow, Sunday, March 30, 2025, is the first day of Eid al-Fitr,” the Saudi Royal Court said in a statement carried by official media.

The timing of the holiday, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with the Muslim lunar calendar.

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar also announced Sunday would be the first day of the holiday.

But neighbouring Oman and Jordan, as well as Shiite-majority Iran, said that Eid al-Fitr would not begin until Monday because the crescent moon had yet to be sighted. Egypt and other North African countries followed suit.

Headline

First Lady, Buhari, Adeleke, Mba Celebrate President Tinubu at 73

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

March 29 marked another circle for Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as he celebrated his 73rd birthday anniversary.

Across the nation, especially in Lagos and Abuja, supporters rolled out the drums to the hail the 5th president since the return of democracy in Nigeria, in 1999.

But much more than physical gathering, notable individuals explored the social media as well as private statements to honour the president, who took the helm of affairs of the nation since May 29, 2023, with goodwill messagewith goodwill messages.

The president, according to The Punch reports, received numerous well-wishes from governors and other prominent figures.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu described her husband as her “light in shining armor” in a heartfelt message stating, “I rejoice and thank God Almighty for His faithfulness in your life over the years. I celebrate your courage, strength, and resilience that have all contributed to who we both are today. May you live long in divine health, joy, peace, and prosperity.”

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke commended President Tinubu for his significant contributions to the nation’s economic and democratic development, recalling his transformative tenure as Lagos State governor and ongoing reforms at the national level. “Our dear Asiwaju and Commander-in-Chief of this federation, as you celebrate your 73rd birthday, I pray that God grants you more blessings and grace to continue succeeding in your presidential mandate while living many more years in good health and prosperity. Happy blessed birthday, Mr. President,” he stated.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah also extended his best wishes, saying, “On behalf of the Government and the good people of Enugu State, we wish you a happy 73rd birthday. We hope for many more years of good health and joy. We pray that God orders your steps and grants you His uncommon grace as you guide our nation through these challenging times toward a prosperous future.”

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, also sent his regards through a statement by Garba Shehu.

“When we pray for our leaders, we are praying for ourselves and the nation. We owe this to ourselves and the nation,” the statement said, adding that he and his family remain indebted to President Tinubu and other party leaders for their invaluable contributions to the formation of the All Progressives Congress.

Tinubu, who declared that his aspirations for the nation, are rooted in peace amd stability, saying “My prayer is for stability, peace, and the safeguarding of our people. We work hard and pray harder. We thank God,” also kept faith with the spirit of gratitude, and attended a special prayer session at the National Mosque, where he was joined by dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima. Following the prayers, the president took time to greet several monarchs and imams present at the mosque.

Tinubu has received more knocks than kudos since his ascension of office in 2023 owing to his policies, which have impoverished Nigerians, as well as what most Nigerians term as the muffling of other arms of government to dance to the tune of the executive, with special mention of the judiciary and the legislature.

We join other Nigerians to wish Mr. President a happy birthday.