NEWS
TMSG Hails FG’s Cash Transfer to 15m Vulnerable Households
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has hailed the fast-track disbursement of funds to 15 million households under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme of the President Bola Tinubu administration.The group said the fast-track disbursement was due to the delay in the full implementation of a scheme, which it said was central to the administration’s quest to lift millions of vulnerable Nigerians out of acute poverty.
Mr Emeka Nwankpa, the Chairman of TMSG, in a statement on Saturday, said with the newly inaugurated inter-agency task force in place, the stage was set for a wider coverage of the poverty-alleviation scheme. “We are aware that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the Conditional Cash Transfer programme targeted at 15 million households across the country soon after assuming office in 2023.“The idea was to improve on the same scheme introduced by his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, by reaching more Nigerians than the 1.6 million households (8 million individuals) who benefited from the Buhari administration’s disbursement of N10,000 bi-monthly as of 2021.“So, President Tinubu’s CCT initiative is clearly more ambitious, with the target of ensuring that 15 million households receive N25,000 per month thrice in a year,” said the group.But it said since the announcement, the process had been slowed down by financial inclusion bottlenecks, which had been addressed by an inter-agency task force.The task force includes the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).“We view the composition of the task force as a statement of intent. The Tinubu administration is set to navigate issues of distrust that characterise the previous scheme and ensure that all beneficiaries have a digital footprint aside from bank accounts.“We still recall how state governments under the auspices of the National Economic Council (NEC), in July 2023, disowned the National Social Register (NSR), the database for vulnerable populations used by the Buhari administration for the CCT programme.“But now, with NIMC working with the Central Bank and other relevant humanitarian agencies, we are convinced that more of the intended beneficiaries would be able to have the NIN, which is now mandatory for benefitting from the CCT and other social services.“In addition, the issue of distrust in disbursement would be addressed, and the possibility of funds getting to intended beneficiaries would be higher with proper documentation and identification,” said TMSG.It commended the Tinubu administration for taking these additional steps against the backdrop of the alarm raised by the World Bank recently on increasing poverty in rural Nigeria and the need to ramp up social protection initiatives.“Recently, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, told Mr Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President, West and Central Africa, that there was evidence that six million households were benefiting from the scheme.“So, we hope that in due course, the Tinubu administration’s target of reaching out to 15 million vulnerable households would be met,” said the group.It urged agencies involved in the process to live up to expectations by ensuring swift completion of the task of addressing the delay in cushioning the impact of economic hardship on vulnerable Nigerians. (NAN)NEWS
Abducted Nasarawa Varsity Students Regain Freedom
Students of the Faculty of Engineering, Nasarawa State University, Gudi Campus, who were abducted by gunmen have been released.
The Nasarawa State Police Command disclosed this on Tuesday, confirming that the victims are currently receiving medical attention and psychological support following their ordeal.
Announcing the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said two suspects linked to the abduction had been arrested during intelligence-led operations.
He identified the suspects as Abdullahi Yeyi Haro, alleged to be the leader of the kidnapping syndicate, and Basiru Abdullahi, both natives of Gudi.
According to the command, the arrests followed coordinated tactical operations aimed at dismantling the criminal network responsible for the abduction.
“Following sustained intelligence-led operations and coordinated tactical efforts by operatives of the Command, two suspected kidnappers linked to the incident have been arrested. The suspects, identified as Abdullahi Yeyi Haro, alleged leader of the kidnapping syndicate, and one Basiru Abdullahi, both males from Gudi, were apprehended after diligent investigation and strategic operations aimed at dismantling the criminal network responsible for the abduction,” the statement read.
The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, commended the operatives for their professionalism and commitment to public safety.
He reiterated the command’s determination to rid the state of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Mohammed added that investigations were ongoing to track down and arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and ensure all those involved are brought to justice.
The police also appreciated members of the public for providing timely information that aided the operation and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Foreign News
Uganda’s President Sworn in for Seventh Term
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, 81, has been sworn in for a record seventh consecutive term following his landslide victory in disputed elections in January, extending his tenure as one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers.
Heavy security, including armoured tanks, were deployed in the capital, Kampala, ahead of the inauguration in what police said were measures intended to maintain public order.
Museveni was declared the winner of the election with more than 70 percent of the vote, with his term expected to end in 2031.
The 44-year-old opposition leader, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, fled the country after the election, saying he feared that “the regime wanted to eliminate me”.
Museveni first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 but since then has won seven elections.
He is among the few African leaders in power for more than 40 years. Others include Congo-Brazzaville’s Denis Sassou Nguesso, Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang and Cameroon’s Paul Biya.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala. The government declared the day a public holiday.
African leaders who attended the ceremony included Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Félix Tshisekedi, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Uganda has one of the world’s youngest populations, with the majority of the people having known no other president.
Museveni has not indicated when he intends to retire, but analysts said this is likely to be his last term.
His 51-year-old son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the military chief, has been widely tipped as a potential successor.
However, Kainerugaba has increasingly faced criticism for the way he uses social media to threaten the opposition, including Wine.
On X earlier this year, he threatened to have Wine’s testicles removed in posts that have since been removed.
Wine, who leads the National Unity Platform party, said the results of the elections were “fake” and urged Ugandans to fight back for their democracy.
The government insisted that the elections were free and fair, and Museveni accused the opposition of seeking to overturn the results through violence, calling them “terrorists”.
Wine went into hiding after raids on his house, and accused security forces of targeting him and his family.
Police denied the allegations, insisting they were only providing security for him as a presidential candidate.
Museveni’s government has continued to face criticism from rights groups over a security force crackdown following the disputed vote.
Last month, Amnesty International said that at least 16 people had likely been killed between 15 and 18 January by the military and the police. It said the victims were reportedly unarmed and posed no imminent threat.
The rights group has also been critical of the treatment of another key opposition politician, Kizza Besigye, who remains in jail since late 2024 after being dramatically abducted while visiting Kenya and forcibly taken to Uganda.
He was later charged in a military court with possession of pistols and attempting to purchase weapons abroad – accusations which he denies.
NEWS
NYSC Closes Camp for 1,953 Corps Members in Bayelsa
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
A total of 1,953 Corps Members have closed camping for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream 2 orientation exercise and mandatory one-year service in Bayelsa.
The closing ceremony took place at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Tuesday.
In his closing remarks Gov.
Douye Diri, urged the corps members to make their service to Bayelsa and Nigeria at large memorable, as they close the 21 days mandatory camping.He urged the corps members to be serious in their Place of Primary Assignment, as to impact knowledge to the people.
Represented by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on NYSC Matter, Mr Wisdom Poyeri, he appealed to corps members to have tolerance and unity for one another in there PPA, as they leave the orientation camp.
He said that the Bayelsa government is ready to support them as they serve in the state for one year. Urging them to contribute meaningfully to their place of primary assignment.
The governor urged them to take seriously whatever they have learnt in the camp, as it will be of immense benefit to them tomorrow.
“I urge you to impact meaningfully on what you have been taught in the camp, for it can be a light to others in the society.Please do not disappoint yourselves, your school and your parents for their support to makyou a better person in the society.
“Bayelsa and Nigeria are counting on you to impact good conduct in Bayelsa State for the future generations,” he said.
The governor pledged the Bayelsa government’s commitments to their welfare and safety, as they remain in Bayelsa, to serve their country Nigeria.


