In a significant turn of events, President Bola Tinubu has taken swift action to address the prolonged nonpayment of nine months’ stipends to N-Power beneficiaries by ordering the immediate suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu. The suspension follows intense pressure from the National Association of N-Power Beneficiaries, Batch ‘C,’ who wrote a letter to the President, urging him to intervene and summon the minister for questioning.
The beneficiaries, represented by their National Publicity Secretary, Adeshina Adex, expressed their frustration in the letter, highlighting that for the past nine months, the N-Power management failed to disburse stipends as promised. The situation escalated as only a fraction of the beneficiaries received payments in October, November, and December 2022, leaving the majority without financial support.
Adex revealed that no payments were made from January through September 2023, plunging the beneficiaries into a state of financial uncertainty and despair. The outcry prompted President Tinubu to take decisive action and order the immediate payment of the outstanding stipends.
Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, confirmed the release of funds, stating that it followed a meticulous verification exercise conducted by the Ministry. Minister Betta Edu emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to Nigerian youths, citing various policies and programs aimed at providing opportunities for them. You May Read President Tinubu Suspends Minister Betta Edu Amidst Allegations of Misappropriation – EFCC to Investigate
In an effort to ensure timely payments, Minister Edu, along with the N-Power team, worked tirelessly until 3 am at the office. The payments have commenced, bringing renewed hope to N-Power beneficiaries just in time for the Christmas and New Year festivities.
However, the positive development took a sudden twist as President Tinubu suspended Betta Edu from her ministerial position amid a disbursement scandal involving the approval of a significant sum of money. The President directed the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to conduct a thorough investigation into the financial transactions of the ministry.
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Controversy arose when Edu allegedly approved the transfer of N585,198,500.00 into a personal account, raising concerns about financial impropriety. The EFCC is now tasked with investigating the matter, and Edu has been directed to fully cooperate with the authorities during the inquiry.
President Tinubu, in a departure from the norm, announced the suspension, marking the first removal of a member from his 48-man cabinet. The President emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
As the investigation unfolds, N-Power beneficiaries can expect the continuation of stipend payments, providing a semblance of relief after months of financial uncertainty. The government’s commitment to addressing the beneficiaries’ concerns and ensuring transparency in financial transactions remains a top priority.
NPower’s RHJCP Payment Update for January 6, 2024
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