Pensioners’ financial relief: N25,000 grants to commence next month, Minister Betta Edu tells NLC
Abuja, Nigeria– The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has announced a new initiative to provide financial support to vulnerable pensioners.
Starting next month, the ministry will disburse grants of twenty-five thousand Naira (N25,000) to eligible members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, as part of the expanded National Social Register of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Scheme.
Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, revealed this development during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), led by President Joe Ajaero.
The meeting took place at the Labour House in Abuja.
Dr. Edu explained that the decision to include vulnerable pensioners in the CCT scheme was a commitment made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to labor leaders.
She emphasized the President’s dedication to expanding the National Social Safety Net and delivering on this promise.
Addressing the NLC, Dr. Edu stated, “The President mentioned very clearly that vulnerable pensioners should be immediately included in the National Social Register and benefit from the Conditional Cash Transfer, as part of the National Social Safety Net expansion. This commitment was made in his Independence Day speech, where he allocated 25,000 Naira for 15 million households over three months.”
The Minister appealed to the NLC for assistance in expediting the process of gathering data for potential beneficiaries among vulnerable pensioners so that they can begin receiving CCT payments as early as November.
“I want us to fast-track this. If we can collect this data and information within two weeks, we are confident that you will become beneficiaries immediately, and you can start receiving payments from next month, which is November. That’s the main reason why I’m here,” Dr. Edu emphasized.
She commended President Ajaero for his collaborative approach, emphasizing that moving Nigeria forward was a collective effort. She urged him to maintain confidence in the federal government under President Tinubu.
In response, President Ajaero expressed satisfaction with the poverty alleviation programs introduced by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
He praised the Minister’s dedication and commitment to her role. However, he stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of poverty, not just its effects.
“Let’s not only focus on solving this problem but also on understanding its causes. If we continue to address the consequences of poverty, the problem will persist. Let’s explore other social welfare interventions and job creation initiatives that will significantly support families,” Ajaero urged.
The NLC leader called on the federal government to prioritize job creation by fostering a productive economy where factories operate and employ workers.
He expressed gratitude to the Minister for being the first member of the federal executive council to visit the Labour House during President Tinubu’s Administration.
Ajaero pledged the NLC’s cooperation to ensure the success of this initiative, assuring the Minister that her impact would be felt.
The President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi, also expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu and the Minister for recognizing retirees as deserving of government benefits.
He highlighted the financial challenges faced by pensioners, who sometimes receive as little as five to ten thousand Naira per month.
The promised twenty-five thousand Naira grant was seen as a significant financial boost for them, and Abumisi encouraged the Minister to continue her exceptional work.
This statement was provided by Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister, on October 5, 2023.
