News

Economic Crisis: Gov Adeleke Disburses N500m Social Safety Fund to Beneficiaries

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 2024

Eric

In a bid to cushion the effects of the present harsh economic realities, Governor Ademola Adeleke on Thursday disbursed a total of Five Hundred and Eighty Eight Million, One Hundred and Five Thousand Naira only (N588, 105,000.00) to 19,720 beneficiaries of Imole Osun Cash Grant Scheme.

An additional Sixty Thousand identified poor of the population are to receive ATMs of their bank accounts to facilitate their access to the grant.

Governor Adeleke said the beneficiaries were shortlisted from the State Social Register for Poor and Vulnerable Households domiciled in the State Operation Coordinating Unit, and National Social Safety Net Project in the Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development.

The Governor, who was represented at the event by the Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, reviewed the many programmes of his administration to attend to the needs of the poor, the weak and the under-privileged said the administration has invested heavily in the Social protection sector, developing and implementing several high-level Social Security Strategies to reduce the poverty, unemployment and low productivity space among others.

Describing himself as a pro-poor, pro-welfare leader, the Governor said his administration’s Five Point Agenda has social investment as the core of its focus, noting that “these policies cut across health, education, agriculture, youth, women, children development and Special Needs.

“During our electioneering campaign, we promise that we shall not abandon them. We assure that we shall institutionalize an all-inclusive and well-coordinated Social protection Policy that will provide a life support system for the poor and vulnerable. This support system shall aim to reduce the income gap between the haves and the haves-not in our dear state.

In pursuance of that promise, the State Government of Osun under my watch, in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU), National Social Safety Net Project, supervised by the Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development today launched this disbursement to the poor of the poor in the state

“Each beneficiary was supported with a sum of between Twenty Five (25,000.00) and Thirty Thousand Naira (N30, 000.00) only. Among the 19,720 beneficiaries, 10,390 of them with existing bank accounts have had access to withdraw and utilize their money.

Also, I have given approval that the remaining 9,330 beneficiaries be given their debit cards. These people are poor people without account numbers, and with this distribution, it becomes an achievement that is in tandem with the financial inclusion policy of the Federal Government.

From the foregoing, at least 60,000 people are going to receive their ATM cards of bank accounts, which was facilitated through this programme. The smart cards can be useful for further pro poor interventions and private use”, the Governor was quoted as saying.

Governor Adeleke said the objective of the cash intervention is to provide relief for the most poor and vulnerable population in the state against the harsh economic conditions occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidies, high cost of living among others.

News

Ex-Cross River Gov Donald Duke Joins ADC

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Eric

Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), formally pitching his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Duke registered as an ADC member in Ward 5 of Calabar Municipality, where he collected his party membership card, marking his official entry into the opposition party.

His move comes amid recent internal concerns within the ADC in Cross River State. Former ADC governorship candidate, Dr Effiong Nyong, had written to the party’s National Chairman, protesting the inclusion of some individuals from the state in the ADC’s 50 Wise Men and Women Policy Manifesto Committee.

Nyong faulted a statement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, which listed persons who, according to him, neither resigned from the PDP nor made contributions to the ADC, calling for their removal.

Political observers believe Duke’s swift formal registration may be linked to the controversy, as the former governor had earlier been named among prominent figures associated with the party.

Recall that Duke previously left the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate under controversial circumstances.

Meanwhile, ADC leaders in Bakassi Local Government Area have intensified calls on Cross Riverians to identify with the party, describing it as a credible alternative ahead of future elections.

Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting involving chapter executives, ward chairmen, and secretaries, party leaders accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of misrule and urged Nigerians to reclaim the country.

In a statement signed by the Bakassi Chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and Secretary, Eko Boco, the party reaffirmed its loyalty to the ADC national leadership, pledging support for the National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while urging undecided citizens to join the party’s “transformative agenda.”

News

Police Nab Suspect Behind Dummy Bomb Threat to Lagos Schools

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Eric

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man over alleged fake bomb threat messages to two private schools in Ikeja Government Reserved Area (GRA).

The suspect was tracked and arrested on January 24 in the Okota area of Lagos State following digital investigations.

According to the sources, the suspect allegedly sent WhatsApp messages threatening a fire explosion to the Human Resources Manager of AVI–CEENA School and the Chief Security Officer of Grange School, both located in Ikeja GRA.

Although the messages were sent from an unknown phone number, police said digital tracking led to the identification and arrest of the suspect, identified as Kosisochukwu Chukwuekenyem Ogbumuo.

The suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations.

Police said inquiries are ongoing to determine the motive behind the threats and whether other individuals were involved.

The Lagos State Police Command reassured parents, school authorities and residents of Ikeja GRA of its commitment to maintaining security and preventing panic or disruption within the education sector.

News

Court Nullifies PDP National Convention Held in Ibadan

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Ibadan has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held on November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The court also barred Turaki and others from presenting themselves as national officers of the party.

Despite internal disputes, the PDP went ahead with its highly anticipated two-day 2025 Elective National Convention at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. Tagged #Ibadan2025, the convention drew thousands of party delegates and leaders.

The convention was expected to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC), including a National Chairman, who would steer the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The court’s ruling casts uncertainty over the legitimacy of the leadership and raises questions about the party’s preparations for the next electoral cycle.

Party members and legal experts are now awaiting further clarification on the implications of the judgement for the PDP’s national leadership structure.