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Tag: palliatives

  • Palliatives: FCTA Distributes bags of rice, maize to 20,000 households in 6 Area Councils

    Palliatives: FCTA Distributes bags of rice, maize to 20,000 households in 6 Area Councils

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday commenced distribution of bags of rice and maize to at least 20,000, vulnerable households across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

    The distribution exercise expected to last two days commenced at Kuje, Kwali and Abaji Area Councils.

    Speaking on behalf of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Kwali, Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat, Bitrus Garki disclosed that the exercise was part of the FCTA’s of palliatives to vulnerable residents, adding that each Area Council would get not less than 2000 bags of rice and maize.

    “You may recall that about two weeks ago, the FCT Administration organized an event where some food items were distributed to various groups.”

    “This includes Area Councils, representatives of 17 Chiefdoms, religious organizations, civil servants and vulnerable groups.”

    “The feedback we received from that exercise was incredibly encouraging, which is why we are expanding the distribution today.”

    “Today, we are gathered here to carry on with this noble gesture, aligning it with the renewed
    hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which aims to instill hope for a better future for all Nigerians.”

    Garki noted that under this phase of the distribution, which is taking place simultaneously in the six Area Councils, FCT is bringing food items closer to the people, thereby ensuring direct outreach to the vulnerable groups.

    The Secretary advised the beneficiaries to utilize the items for the betterment of their families, advising them against selling the items, adding that the gesture was meant to provide sustenance in these challenging times.

    He explained that the initiative was an integral part of the Federal Government’s approach to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy, which unfortunately has resulted in increased food market prices.

    “We recognize the challenges faced by our fellow citizens, and it is our responsibilities to address these hardships and provide necessary support during these challenging times.”

    At Kwali,Kuje and Abaji Area Councils, the exercise was the same, as the Secretaries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Social Development Secretariats; Lawal Kolo Geidam, and Ibrahim Aminu, respectively represented the FCT minister.

    Chairman, Kwali Area Council, Danladi Chia, commended President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister for the supporting the vulnerable and promised an equal of the palliatives to the target beneficiaries.

    His Kuje counterpart, Abdullahi Suleiman Sabo, assured that the food items would get to every vulnerable person in his Council.

    Sabo stated that his Council was known for integrity and honesty, believing that he would give account of his stewardship to God one day, as he pledged to ensure intended beneficiaries would items are meant to get them,

    He also expressed gratitude to Tinubu and Wike for the palliatives, but lamented that despite kuje’s large landmass, it could not reap from its agricultural potentials due to insecurity which continues to bedevil the Council.

    A beneficiary, Philip Maikasuwa, a leader of disabled individuals in Kuje, however, appealed for consideration for gainful employment.

    Another beneficiary, Rashidat Tauheed, a graduate of FCT College of Education, said that the disabled individuals would never forget the gesture. She also appealed to be gainfully employed.

    Other beneficiaries, who spoke to us at the three Area Councils, also commended the President and FCT Minister for the palliatives.

  • Palliatives: A’Ibom Auguments FG grant with N5Bn

    Palliatives: A’Ibom Auguments FG grant with N5Bn

    By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

    Akwa Ibom state government said it augumented the N2B Federal Government grant for Palliatives with N5B.

    It also said it procured additional 100,000 bags of rice for distribution to the 2,272 gazetted villages; cash transfers to 53,000 workers in the State for three months, levy-free Fridays for transporters and traders for three months.

    Governor Umo Eno who made this known in a message to mark his 100 days office in Uyo said, “all these have raised our contributions to the palliatives scheme to over 5 billion Naira.”

    Eno also said that to ignite it’s agricultural revolution in line with the ARISE Agenda, the state government has acquired over 50 thousand hectares of land in all the 31 local government areas , to ensure food security and to get the people involved in agro-allied enterprises.

    “As a practical demonstration of this resolve, we recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the world renowned Songhai Farms to start a model farm in our State, We have already sent hundreds of our people for training so they could form the nucleus of the skilled workers to drive this exercise.

    “We have steadily paid gratuities to local government, primary school teachers and state workers. 3 billion Naira has so far been released for this exercise. We have commenced an initial five-month payment of Leave Grants in the Main Service.

    “We are constructing model primary schools and primary healthcare facilities across the three senatorial districts and work is ongoing at a fast pace at the location of the first of these model primary schools, the Christ the King School, (CKS) on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo.” The Governor explained.

    Education he said remained free and compulsory at primary and secondary school levels and as part of the palliatives government would support parents with school uniforms, shoes, payment of bursary to students in tertiary instructions after proper verifications while government’s commitment to the payment of WAEC fees remained irrevocable.

    “Exactly 100 Days ago, I stood before you to unveil my vision for the continuous growth and development of our people and our dear State through our Governance and Economic Blueprint, the ARISE Agenda.

    “I had, in my inaugural address, while thanking you for the massive support you gave me at the polls which resulted in such unassailable margins of victory we got, pledged to concentrate our developmental plans in the rural areas, while still expanding and consolidating our urban renewal and other focal areas.

    “Today, my fellow Akwaibomites, 100 Days later, I can say that we have hit the ground running and God has been our an ever-present Guide as we work to translate our vision into practical, measurable and impactful forms.”

    He commended the people of the state for the support he has so far received adding that the ARISE Blueprint with five critical focal points of Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance, Security Management and Education Advancement would remain as a guide to his administration.

    “As we mark our 100 Days in Office, we are working at a frenetic pace to translate in practical terms some of the key elements of the ARISE Agenda, and we are just starting.

    “We have established an Agency with the sole responsibility to drive our rural development, improve the quality of life of our rural dwellers, stimulate economic activities and stem rural-to urban migration, the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

    “So far, we have flagged-off critical roads in all the three senatorial districts and the first we had flagged off, a little over two months ago, the internal roads in Urua Akpan Andem, is being commissioned later today, delivered on schedule, by our very own HENSEK Integrated Services.

    “We also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the world renowned Songhai Farms to start a model farm in our State, We have already sent hundreds of our people for training so they could form the nucleus of the skilled workers to drive this exercise.” Eno said.

    To commomorate the day, the governor later performed the ceremonial flagging off of the distribution of palliative materials to the poorest of the poor in Nsit Ubium Local Council, performed the ground breaking for a housing estate for civil servants in Ibesikpo Asutan Council, commissioned a drainage project, rehabilitated access and internal roads at the Akpanandem market in Uyo.

  • Palliatives: A’Ibom auguments FG’s N2B with N3B

    Palliatives: A’Ibom auguments FG’s N2B with N3B

    By Ogenyi Ogenyi,,Uyo

    Akwa Ibom Government has announced the release of N3billion as the first and second tranches of the State government donation to augment the palliatives package received from the Federal Government.

    It has also said that the commencement of distribution of palliatives to residents of the State will begin on Monday September 4, 2023.

    Governor Umo Eno who made this known in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Uyo said N1B would be used to augument the first tranche with anothwr approval of N2 billion in the second tranche for the payment of gratuities to retired teachers in both the state and local government service.

    Eno, who reaffirmed his commitment to the execution of One Project Per Local Government Area Initiative said the gesture was a quick fix by the state government to ameliorate the sufferings of the people as a result of the hardship occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal and cautioned the youths against being used by persons to foment unrest in the state.

    The Governor said that with State Government’s augmentation , and the 3000 bags of rice and N2 billion so far received from the Federal Government , the over 2270 villages in the state should be hopeful to get at least 50 bags of rice each.

    “I am sure each village will get between at least 50 bags.

    “We will give to the Hausa community, Yoruba community, Igbo community, Niger Delta community, and all of the security services and all other people that may not be able to get to villages. they are not village people but they are also part of us in Akwa Ibom.

    “We have approved another line of gratuity to the teachers, we have approved to the local Government and to the State. That is two billion. That is from the state coffers.

    “We want to do one project per local government so as to help ensure that we provide jobs for our young people.

    “These are the quick fix measures we are doing. Don’t forget this is a short, medium and long term packages.” He explained.

    He said that the state government has intelligence on plans to disrupt the peace in the state by inciting the youths to cause a breach of law and cautioned the youths to be wary of such people.

    “Let us understand that Akwa Ibom is for all of us. This state is peaceful and we intend to continue to drive that narrative, to do everything to make sure that our state is peaceful.

    “Those of us who are leaders must avoid making statements that will incite the youths. Our young people at this point should not be misguided.

    “We have Intel on all those behind these. I would like to tell Akwa Ibomites that we have intelligence on all those sponsoring these youths and I would like to advise them to desist from such acts.”Eno said.

  • Gen. T Y Danjuma donates food palliatives to 200 displaced Gbagyi

    Gen. T Y Danjuma donates food palliatives to 200 displaced Gbagyi

    by Gabriel Udeh, , Kaduna

    Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), has shared food palliatives to 200 displaced families at the Unguwan Zahu (under unguwan Bije) IDP camp in Gonin Gora, Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

    The exercise marked the beginning of the sharing of the 1000 bags of food items donated by the Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danju (rtd) led Victim Support Fund (VSF), a statement issued and signed by spokesman of Union Mr Luka Binniyat, has revealed. Mr Dio Maisamari, 1st Vice President of SOKAPU who led the team on behalf the Union’s President, Mr. Jonathan Asake, said that SOKAPU was saddened with the plight of the displaced persons who were all Gbagyi natives that fled various communities to take refuge at the uncompleted primary school at Unguwan Zahu after their villages were destroyed, and some members of the families killed or abducted.

    “We have been here a couple of times since you were forced to relocate here from January this year, so we know your plight and those of many other IDPs scattered allover Southern Kaduna,” he said.

    “As you know, we do not have funds to support you, but we know where to go and beg on your behalf. And that was what we did and the Victim Support Fund graciously gave us what we are giving you today,” he said.

    “Each of the bags here contains 20kg of rice, 20kg of beans, 20kg of maize, 4litres of vegetable oil and two sachets of salt,” he told the traumatized IDPs mainly made up of women, children, the aged and infirmed. “We can see the sub-human condition you have been forced to live under, but we want to assure you that God will help us find a solution very soon,” he went on. Receiving the items on behalf of the victims, the Village Head of Ungwan Bije, Mr. Sabo Waya, commended SOKAPU for its several humanitarian assistances to the IDPs.

    “SOKAPU has shown us that we are part of the Southern Kaduna family as you have never stop coming here to see how my people are faring and to bring your own assistance,” he said.
     “Whoever gave you this food to bring to us, please tell such a person that we are very grateful and we call on God to bless the person and replace what he has given with much more,” he said.
    “SOKAPU will be taken the palliatives to more IDPs in Kajuru LGA today, it added.

  • Victim Support Fund Donates Palliatives To Plateau State

    Victim Support Fund Donates Palliatives To Plateau State

    The Victim Support Fund (VSF) has donated palliatives to Plateau State Government. The palliatives were presented to Governor Simon Lalong at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment warehouse at the Rukuba Barracks Jos.


    While receiving the items, Governor Lalong expressed appreciation to the Victims Support Fund for reaching out to vulnerable persons in the State through the presentation of the items.
    He assured that the items will  be distributed to the intended beneficiaries in line with the guidelines set by the donors.

    Minister of Women Affairs Paullen Tallen also thanked the VSF for the donation which she said will go a long way to cushion the effect of the looting that took place in the State last month. 

    Chairperson of the Victim Support Fund Task Force on COVID-19 Mrs. Toyosi Akerele Ogunsuji, who made the presentation explained that the item are to be shared for members of the civil society and the Government on a 50/50 ratio.
    Items received include.

    RICE 5,745 BAGS (10kg)
    BEANS 5,745 BAGS (10kg)
    MAIZE 5,745 BAGS (10kg)
    SALT 2KG 5,745 (10kg)
    GRAND SOYA OIL (4 LITRES)
    5,745 NON SURGICAL MASKS
    5,000 LATEX HANDS GLOVES
    1,345 HAND SANITIZER
    10,000 HAND SANITIZERS
    15 of 4clPPE
    1,354 SURGICAL GOGLE
    1,354BOOTS 1,354

  • Plateau councilors donate palliatives to tackle covid-19.

    The Plateau State chapter of the Nigerian Councilors Forum, has donated some items to the State Government as part of its contribution at tackling the corona virus pandemic in the state. During the presentation to Governor Simon Lalong at the Government House, Little Rayfield Jos, Chairman of the forum, Mr. Silas Ishaya said the Forum was happy with the efforts and steps taken by the Government in combating the virus. He said the group has followed closely the initiatives of the Governor who is the Chairman of the Plateau State Task Force on Covid-19 from the initial stage till now when the situation is gradually easing down. Hon. Ishaya said the donation by the 325 councilors in the state was to complement Governor Lalong’s efforts as well as contribute to the State Endowment Initiative which has gone a long way in boosting the capacity of the State to handle the situation more effectively. According to him, the Forum is very happy with the Governance style of Governor Lalong who is passionate about peace and has carried everyone along despite differences in political orientation, religion and ethnicity. He assured the Governor that the Forum will continue to support the peace initiatives of the Governor as he has continued to open up Plateau State to the world and more investors are coming in to find business opportunities. In his response, Governor Lalong thanked the councilors for their visit and donations describing it as a gesture that will go a long way in assisting the fight against COVID-19 in the State. He asked the councilors to step up the sensitization of people at the grassroots on the pandemic so as to ensure testing and compliance to protocols. He urged them to be committed to their duties and their cooperation to ensure the progress of the state, saying they were closest to the grassroots and therefore knew the people’s challenges. He also called on them to work toward developing community policing in their respective areas, reminding them that they were responsible for the security of lives and property in their areas before other authorities were informed. Also speaking at the occasion, the Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly, Nuhu Abok, thanked Governor Lalong for his leadership style of inclusiveness and peace efforts.

    He prayed for the governor to find lasting solutions to the pockets of attacks in some communities for the success of his administration.

  • Para-Athletes, Coach commend Sports Minister over palliatives

    Para-Athletes, Coach commend Sports Minister over palliatives

    A National Para-Powerlifting Team Coach, Feyisetan Are and some other para-athletes on Monday commended the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, over the palliatives to disabled athletes.

    The medal winning coach, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that the palliatives had come as a huge relief to the affected athletes as a result of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

    Are said that the effect of the COVID-19 had been sore to the disabled athletes, adding that the affected athletes needed more support to complement the minister’s gesture.

    “”It has been a very tough call for our members during the COVID-19 lockdown to the extent that many are now doing menial jobs to stay alive, with this, it has been with little income.

    “”We have to thank our honourable minister of Youths and Sports Development for deeming it fit to come to our aid. It’s such a good gesture that he recognises us.

    “I believe that the minister has set a template for others to follow because government cannot do it alone; others should also support what Dare has done for us.

    “”For example, if an able bodied man gets N10,000 as palliative, then a disable person should get double, like N20,000 because of his condition. An able bodied can struggle to fend for himself, but we cannot.

    “”Our only means of livelihood is sport which is not in place again because of COVID-19, we need more help from well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.

    Also, Nigeria’s and five-times Paralympian, with three Gold and two Silver, Lucy Ejike, commended Dare for the gesture, adding that the palliatives had come at the right time.

    “”A special thanks to the minister for his kind gesture, especially the money given to us, it has gone a long way in helping and motivating us.

    “I received my palliative from the minister and I also get a promise of more.

    “My colleagues also got theirs as well. This will help because the stipends we are collecting before had ceased because of the lockdown,” she said.

    Another Para-athlete, a Gold medalist in Powerlifting at Rio 2016, Kehinde Paul, said that the palliatives coming from the Sport’s minister was because of his fatherly role to the disabled athletes.

    “”The sports minister has played a fatherly role by coming to our aid in this tough times because we have not been active for a while.

    “I have been trying my best to train in my local gym to keep fit, but I must commend the minister, he has really tried for the para-athletes and the physically-challenged. We got money to buy foodstuffs.

    “The money will help us and for upkeep of our families and I believe that we will still have more from the minister, it’s a gesture that will remain in our memories,” he said. (NAN)

  • National Refugee Commission Distributes Food Items, Palliatives, Clothes in 11 States

    National Refugee Commission Distributes Food Items, Palliatives, Clothes in 11 States

    The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), under the leadership of Honourable Federal Commissioner, Senator Basheer Garba Mohammed is set to distribute another set of food items, clothes, academic materials, agricultural facilities and palliatives in 11 more states.

    According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity of the Commission, Sadiq Abdullateef, on Sunday. The beneficiary states are; Kwara, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Cross Rivers, Sokoto, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Plateau states.

    Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Federal Commissioner shortly before the departure of the officials to the respective states, the head of IDPs at the comission, Hajiya Fatima Mamman Daura said, in line with its mandate of ensuring continuous welfare for Persons of Concern (POCs) in the country, the commission is set for another disbursement of food items, clothes and palliatives to 11 more states.

    She further added that, the commission is totally concern about the plight of displaced persons in the country especially during this time of rain and they will continue to provide the necessary facilities and amenities for the POCs to ensure a safer and better living.

    Also speaking, the head of refugees at the commission, Dahiru Bagiwa added that, since his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Mohammed has embarked on an aspiring task of making life better for the POCs.

    “With the President’s blessing and support as well as the guidance of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk, the commission will build the first NCFRMI Resettlement City Development Project in several states and aim to relocate our countries 2.4 million displaced persons”, Bagiwa added.

    “This does not mean the commission will stop its emergency and protection based interventions afterwards. By definition of our mandate, we will continue to support the POCs in providing care and maintenance services as well as special interventions as the needs arise”, he concluded.

  • Sule warned steering committee on palliatives to ensure transparency in the distribution.

    Sule warned steering committee on palliatives to ensure transparency in the distribution.

    By Abe Leonard

    The governor of Nasarawa state Engr. Abdulahi Sule has warned the steering committee on paliatives in the state to ensure transparency in the distribution of palliatives in the 13 local government areas in the state.

    The governor who made this known to news men today when he flagged off the distribution of 35 trucks of food items and other commodities as palliatives to the vulnerable people across the thirteen (13) Local Government Areas of the State.

    The governor said that it has procured twelve (12) trucks of rice in commitment to cushion the plight of the people during the locked down period as a result of the need to control the spread of CCVID-19 in the State, adding that Olam Farms Ltd also donated one (1) truck of six hundred (600) bags of rice bringing the total to thirteen (13) trucks. These trucks were distributed to the vulnerable people across the thirteen (13) Local Government Areas of the State at the first instance.

    He further stressed that the distribution was carried out by a special Committee of Honourable Commissioners, Special Advisers, Local Government Council Chairmen and other appointees of Government saying that Today’s event is in furtherance of the government commitment to continue to provide succour to the vulnerable households and indeed, the poorest of the poor across the nooks and crannies of the State.

    In his word he also said “My dear people of Nasarawa State, you would also recall that the State Government recently received essential commodities worth thirty-five (35) trucks of different food items from Coalition of Private Organization (CA COVID-19), as part of its support to complement Government efforts in cushioning the effects of hunger in this period of COVID-19 pandemic”.

    Sule I commended the Coalition of Private Organization (CA COVID-19) and other philanthropists for this humanitarian gesture, aimed at assisting the less-privileged and vulnerable groups in the society. Indeed,

    The governor emphasied strongly that the commodities will be shared across the one thousand, four hundred and ninety-five (1,495) polling units in the State, noting that the food items are to be shared to the poorest of the poor who have no source of income to cater for their daily needs. In this wise, salary earners, businessmen and other privileged people are exempted from this intervention.

    He howevet proclaimed that the Government has re-strengthened the palliatives distribution Committees at the Local Government, wards and polling unit levels to ensure transparency in the distribution of the palliatives.

    Accordingly, the State Steering Committee on COVID-19 said it will ensure strict supervision and keen monitoring of the distribution process. That they will held accountable for any anomaly in the distribution of the palliatives.

    He therefore, charge them to justify the confidence Government reposed in them by ensuring transparency and fairness in the distribution of these palliatives which should be conducted irrespective of political consideration, religious affiliation and ethnic bias or any other form of sentiments. Above all, you must allow the fear of God to prevail in the course of carrying out your assigned responsibility.

  • COVID-19: Rivers Govt. receives more palliatives from NLNG, MAN, private sector operators

    COVID-19: Rivers Govt. receives more palliatives from NLNG, MAN, private sector operators

    The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited says it will donate pickup vans, ventilators, monitors and several pieces1of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support the fight against COVID-19 in Rivers.

    Sir. Joseph Alagoa, the NLNG’s General Manager Corporate Services made this known on Friday while presenting some palliatives meant for the people of Rivers to the State Government.

    He commended Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers for taking proactive steps to protect the people of Rivers from coronavirus.

    According to Alagoa, NLNG will be donating two pickup vans, five Ventilators, 30 monitors and 17,000 pieces of Personal Protective Equipments.

    He said the the NLNG would in addition be donating equipment and materials worth one million ($1million) US Dollars to upgrade specific facilities at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

    According to him, the NLNG will be donating food items valued at over $250,000USD to its host communities as palliatives.

    “We are doing this to guarantee the safety of lives and property. In total, what we have donated is about $2.8millionUSD.

    “In addition to that, we will be refurbishing and setting up a 10-bed Isolation and holding Centre at the Bonny Zonal Hospital and this will cost $1.05millionUSD.

    “This Centre will be equipped with all the necessary medical equipment to make it is fully functional in the event that COVID-19 becomes present in the Bonny area, he said.

    “This is to show our stand and determination to work with the Government of Rivers State and also the people of Rivers State at this time that all hands need to be on deck to work together to tackle this challenge.

    “These are trying times and we all need to stay together, stand together and most importantly support each other at this trying time, he said.”

    Alagoa also stressed that it is important for the private sector and individuals to provide support in the fight against the spread of the Novel COVID-19 pandemic.

    Similarly, Sen. Adawari Pepple, the Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rivers and Bayelsa States Chapter, also lauded the governor for taking steps against the pandemic in Rivers

    He also assured the Rivers Government that the Association will support the state government’s efforts at offering palliatives to the people.

    Speaking in the same vein, Pepple lauded Governor Wike for taking the right steps for the state.

    He said: “So far, all the steps that have been taken by the Rivers State Government have been very positive. We are glad to note that we haven’t recorded more incidents than what we have.

    “Even those who were declared positive have now been treated and they are negative. This is worth celebrating.

    “We have come to lend our support to Rivers State Government in its fight to check the spread of coronavirus.’’

    Next Cash and Carry donated various foodstuffs and beverages to the state government.

    Sir Nnaedozie Okwoli, Chief Financial Officer, Next Cash and Carry Ltd, lauded Gov. Wike for the effort to check the spread of coronavirus.

    Responding, Chairman of Rivers State COVID-19 Palliatives Committee, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, thanked the donors for supporting the Rivers government to reach out to her people.

    He said: “Today, Next Cash and Carry has scored a major point by donating these items to a friend in need.

    “The effort of Governor Wike has yielded results as the State for now has nobody with the virus. But there are consequences for the lockdown.

    “The shops and markets are not there. He has set up Committees to buy off foodstuffs from farmers and fishermen and then distribute to the less privileged.’’

    The State’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Chike Princewill assured that all the donations would be judiciously used by the state government for the benefit of the people of Rivers. (NAN)