POLITICS
Tinubu Launches $3.05bn Social Investment Programmes
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday, unveiled a $3.05 billion package of World Bank-supported programmes designed to accelerate poverty reduction, strengthen community resilience and expand investments in healthcare, education and governance across Nigeria.
The five programmes, launched at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, comprise the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Additional Financing (NG-CARES AF), Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities (SOLID), and the three Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) initiatives—HOPE-GOV, HOPE-PHC and HOPE-EDU.
Speaking through the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, President Tinubu described the interventions as a coordinated national strategy aimed at ensuring that the gains from ongoing economic reforms translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“Today, we act on the pledge of protecting the vulnerable, empowering communities and building the human capital that will carry Nigeria forward,” the President said.
He noted that the reforms were already yielding positive outcomes, including stronger economic growth, rising investor confidence, improved foreign reserves and moderating inflation, but stressed that the benefits must be felt in every household.
“Real prosperity means no Nigerian is left behind on our journey to a $1 trillion economy by 2030,” he said.
Tinubu explained that NG-CARES would receive an additional $1.25 billion in World Bank financing to support smallholder farmers, small businesses and vulnerable households, while the $300 million SOLID programme would help internally displaced persons and host communities rebuild livelihoods, infrastructure and essential services.
He added that the $1.5 billion HOPE package would strengthen primary healthcare, improve foundational learning in public schools, support teachers and enhance governance at the grassroots.
“These programmes are not separate efforts; they are one coordinated national strategy for poverty reduction, human capital development and community resilience. Livelihoods, healthcare, education, social protection and support for displaced communities reinforce one another where it matters most—at the grassroots,” he said.
The President said the initiatives would be implemented through a ward-centric approach that aligns the efforts of the federal, state and local governments to improve service delivery and development outcomes across the country.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government’s expanded cash transfer programme had already reached 15 million vulnerable households.
Calling for effective implementation, Tinubu urged all stakeholders to uphold transparency, accountability and prudent financial management.
“We are building a Nigeria where extreme poverty is banished, where every child has access to quality education and healthcare, and where every community can withstand adversity and recover faster and stronger,” he said.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said the programmes represented an integrated response to poverty, vulnerability and the cost-of-living crisis.
According to him, NG-CARES will strengthen resilience and institutions, SOLID will restore dignity and opportunities for displaced persons and host communities, while the HOPE initiatives will build the human capital needed for long-term economic prosperity.
“Together, they form an integrated framework for tackling poverty and vulnerability while creating opportunities for sustainable development. They translate the Renewed Hope Agenda into measurable results that directly improve the lives of poor and vulnerable Nigerians,” Bagudu said.
He stressed that the success of the programmes would depend on strong coordination, accountability and collaboration among the federal, state and local governments, implementing agencies and development partners.
Providing further details, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the $570 million HOPE-PHC programme would improve access to quality primary healthcare for about 40 million Nigerians, particularly women, children and adolescents.
He said the intervention would reduce maternal and under-five mortality, strengthen primary healthcare facilities and improve service delivery through performance-based financing.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed that the $562 million HOPE-EDU programme would benefit nearly 30 million pupils, support about 500,000 teachers and strengthen over 65,000 public schools nationwide.
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Matthew Verghis, said the programmes were designed to cushion the impact of the global cost-of-living crisis while strengthening social protection, expanding economic opportunities and improving human capital outcomes.
He noted that Nigeria’s macroeconomic reforms had created additional fiscal space for social investments but said external support remained necessary to accelerate poverty reduction and protect vulnerable populations.
“The programmes demonstrate that Nigeria’s greatest asset is its people, and the World Bank remains committed to supporting reforms that improve education, healthcare, livelihoods and social protection,” he said.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said the interventions would help vulnerable Nigerians and displaced communities transition from humanitarian relief to resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Governors under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, members of the National Assembly, development partners and other stakeholders pledged support for the successful implementation of the programmes.
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has said he didn’t bargain for the “deluge” of good will messages, which came his way on his 70th birthday, on August 8.
In a statement at the weekend, the former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) said while it was “no doubt a privilege worthy of appreciation to attain the age of three scores and ten on August 8, 2026” he was overwhelmed by the show of love from different parts of the country and beyond.
“My attempts to write individualized responses to the thousands of messages have come to nought as I lose count of who and what messages to respond to.
“I take this opportunity therefore, to convey my most sincere and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the multitude of well wishers across all divides who have, in their various ways shared the momentous day with me.
I, however, want to thank notably, Allah (SWT) for enabling the attainment as well as so many other favours that only He is capable of” he said in the statement to the media.
He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Dr Tajuddeen Abbas, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, members of the National Assembly, the set of 1999 governors and other former governors, His Highness Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, Emir of Zazzau and several other Emirs and Chiefs from both within and outside Kaduna State, leaders of various political parties, other political leaders as well as candidates to various offices across partisan divides, religious leaders, and friends and well-wishers, as stated who he said either called or wrote goodwill messages to him.
“I equally appreciate the numerous youths and youth groups that took to the social media to felicitate with me.
I want to say that the various messages, many of which described me in superlatives that made me wonder as to who the references are, have humbled me but at the same time will serve as a tonic that gingers me to continue to give my best to support the unity, peace and progress of our country and its people” he stated.
He urged his friends, political associates and supporters to close ranks and confront the myriad of problems bedeviling the nation saying the challenges were surmountable with a strong will and spirit.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the submission of the list of candidates for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections for the 2027 general elections to Aug. 11.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, announced the extension in a statement in Abuja.
Haruna noted that the extension of the deadline for the upload of nominations onto the commission’s dedicated portal followed appeals by political parties.
“The submission window which, according to the revised time table and schedule of activities for the general elections, originally scheduled to close on Saturday, Aug.
8, has been extended to Tuesday, Aug. 11.“The extension follows growing appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the process,” he said.
Haruna also notified voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced permanent voter cards (PVCs) that the window to print downloadable copies of their cards would expire by midnight of Aug. 9.
This, according to him, is to allow the commission to compile the data of downloaded PVCs for final statistics of the total PVCs collected ahead of the Aug. 15 Osun governorship election.
He recalled that collection of PVCs in Osun was held at the registration area (RA) level from July 22 to July 28.
“Owing to complaints of large crowds and difficulties encountered by voters at collection centres, the commission approved an extension of RA-level collection to July 31, before collection moved to LGA level, running from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7.
“The commission also wishes to state that replacement of downloadable PVCs has been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central local government areas whose cards were carted away by hoodlums who invaded the two centres.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote,” he said.
Haruna reassured the people of Osun of INEC’s readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on Aug. 15.
By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria spent a whopping N1.16trillion on fuel subsidy, losing N16.20billion to crude and product issues while deducting a total of N1.20trillion from the federation account as sales and proceeds in 2021.
Disclosing this in Abuja yesterday during his presentation to the Senate Public Account Committee (SPAC) probing the 2021- 2023 Audit Report on the Oil and Gas Industry conducted by Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Chairman of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu added that pipeline repairs gulped N22.
05billion and strategic stock holding N6.75billion in that fiscal year.Speaking further, the RMFAC boss revealed to the Committee that during the period, the intention of the derivation objective was undermined by the way it was computed.
“The practice of computing 13% derivation on the balance of revenue after deductions from the total collections is contrary to the intention of the derivation objective “, he said.
However the Senate Committee Chairman on Public Account who was a former Accountant General of the Federation, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo stood down the reports of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) ‘s submission saying the measure was to offer members enough time to study the report while ordering the Agency to reappear midweek.
Senator Dankwambo who was visibly upset following the non – appearance of the Auditor – General of the Federation for the investigative session without any valid or representative however threatened that the Auditor General must unfailingly appear before the Committee on Tuesday next week or risk a forced appearance through the invocation of the powers of the National Assembly.
” The Auditor – General must unfailingly appear before this committee on Tuesday next week or risk invocation of powers of the National Assembly against him , which will lead to forced appearance”, he said.
Makarfi Marks 70th Birthday Anniversary, Appreciates Massive Solidarity
ShareFormer Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has said he didn’t bargain for the “deluge” of good will...
NYSC Swears in 1,760 Corps Members in Bayelsa
ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has sworn in a total of 1,760 Corps members for...
Tears Flow as Benue Buries 16 Victims Killed by Suspected Herdsmen
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Members of Efeyi community in Ugboju district in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, on...
FG Donates 100 Vials of Anti-snake Venom Benue
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi The Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has donated 100 vials of...
Presidential Media Team’s Road Journey and Reality of Benue’s Security Narrative
ShareBy Rotimi Ijikanmi For four days, the road into Benue became a moving test of perception, with a presidential media...
INEC Extends Deadline for Submission of Nominations for State Elections Aug 11
ShareIndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the submission of the list of candidates for the governorship...
NGO Set to Empower Residents of Kabusa District
ShareBy Raphael Atuu, Abuja A non-governmental organisation, Regy and Henry Amazing Grace Foundation, in conjunction with the National Commission for...
NDCCITMA Accuses Ken-Eva CEO of Plot to Scuttle 2026 Niger Delta Investment Summit
ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has accused Kenule Nwiya,...
How FCT Can Finance Abuja Infrastructure through Capital Market – SEC
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has outlined how the...
Lionel Messi Bids Farewell to Father who Guided His Career
ShareArgentina football icon Lionel Messi bid farewell Sunday to his father, the global star’s emotional anchor and agent since childhood...