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N50,000 grant: 402,283 beneficiaries get N20bn

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2 years ago

May 30, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

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The Federal Government has disbursed a total sum of N20.11bn to 402,283 beneficiaries of the N50,000 Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme.

The beneficiaries selected from the 774 local government areas received a direct payment to their bank accounts via their Bank Verification Number.

This information was disclosed in a document exclusively obtained from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment by our correspondent on Wednesday.

The scheme domiciled under the Ministry of Trade and Investment commenced on March 9, 2024, with financial grants of N50,000 without repayment obligations to eligible small business owners operating in various sectors such as trading, food services, ICT, transportation, creatives, and artisans in the 774 local government areas of the country.

It targeted 70 per cent of women and youths, 10 per cent of people with disabilities, and 5 per cent of senior citizens, with the remaining 15 per cent distributed to other demographics.

It also said only one million out of the 3.6 million applicants for the conditional grant will be selected as recipients.

President Bola Tinubu, on October 17, 2023, launched the renewed hope conditional cash transfer to 15 million households.

The scheme was only to benefit people with nano businesses seeking to expand and be willing to formally register their businesses and hire at least one additional person as their turnover increases.

The ministry, in a Frequently Asked Questions and Answers said “Disbursements aren’t based on any specific criteria, but in the order, applications are verified. The goal is to reach an estimated 1,290 beneficiaries per LGA across the country, totalling one million.

“Disbursement is also subject to verification of NIN, which became mandatory after the initial application phase and required only BVN. The selection is random, without human intervention, from those who have passed their NIN and BVN verification.”

The trade minister, Doris Aniete, also stated that the objective is to distribute funds to an estimated 1,290 beneficiaries per local government area across the country.

However, a list containing the number of recipients showed that individuals in all LGAs received the funds but not in equal numbers.

The list didn’t contain personal details and contacts of individuals who benefitted from the programme and is as of May 29, 2024.

A breakdown of the document showed that Katsina LGA in Katsina State got the highest allocation with 1,048 beneficiaries while Omuma LGA got the lowest with 85 recipients.

A summary of the top ten receiving LGAs includes Gusau LGA in Zamfara State (977), Omala in Kogi State with 921 recipients, Shiroro LGA in Niger State (911), Owerri North in Imo State (897), Konshisha LGA in Benue State (890), Calabar South in Cross Rivers State (881), Anka LGA in Zamfara State (876), Balanga LGA in Gombe State (873) and Kaltungo LGA in Gombe State (862).

While the lowest 10 receiving LGAs include Olorunsogo LGA in Oyo State (85), Etsako Central in Edo State (86), Ogu/Bolo in Rivers State (98), Opobo/Nkoro in Rivers State (103), Owen West in Edo State (104), Ovia South-West in Edo State (110), Jere in Borno State with 116 recipients, Degema in Rivers State (146), Ogun Waterside in Ogun State (159), Ogo Oluwa in Oyo state (160).

Recall that the minister had earlier indicated that disbursement was going to be staggered and in phase till completion.

Meanwhile, the trade minister confirmed that the ministry had begun examination and sorting of applications received from asset managers to establish the diaspora fund.

She said hundreds of applications were received and currently undergoing a vetting process.

The minister, speaking through her aide, Terfa Gyado, said, “On diaspora Fund, the deadline for Expressions of Interest has closed and applications are currently being vetted.

“We received applications in hundreds and from all over the world.” (PUNCH)

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Boko Haram threatens execution of 176 Kwara abductees within one week – Monarch

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11 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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Terrorists who abducted 176 women and children from the Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have threatened to carry out a mass execution if the Nigerian government fails to meet their demands within one week.

The attackers, suspected to be members of Boko Haram, reportedly issued the ultimatum through the abducted victims after a Jumu’ah prayer session on Friday, according to community members and families who spoke to The PUNCH.

The traditional ruler of the community, Salihu Bio, whose wife is among those held captive, confirmed the threat to journalists on Monday.
He explained that one of the abductees was allowed to contact her family and relay the message from the terrorists.

“The abductees told us that after the Jumu’ah prayer on Friday, the terrorists said the government was not taking the matter seriously and that if nothing is done within one week, they will begin to take drastic actions,” he said.

Bio added that the terrorists expressed frustration over what they described as the government’s lack of commitment to negotiations, despite the resources being used to keep the victims alive.

“The terrorists allowed one of the abductees to call her family on Saturday, and she confirmed that they were all fine. She also said the captors have been teaching them Arabic and Islamic knowledge,” he stated.

A community source who did not want to be named painted a grimmer picture of the terrorists’ intentions, saying the captors had threatened to marry off some of the girls and kill those they considered liabilities if no agreement is reached within the deadline.

“The Boko Haram fighters complained that they are spending money and resources to feed the abductees and that nothing is coming out of it. They said if nothing is agreed upon within one week, they will start marrying off some of the girls and kill those they consider liabilities.

“We are helpless. These are our wives and children. Now they are threatening to kill them or force them into marriage,” the source added.

In a video released by the terrorists, an armed militant claimed responsibility for the abduction and described the victims as having been indoctrinated.

“We are the ones who kidnapped the people of Woro and Kososo. We have indoctrinated them and changed their way of life. However, the victims have been begging us, and we have given them the opportunity so that their government can hear from them. We are giving them a final opportunity to appeal to the government,” the militant said.

Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the police were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, had not received a response as of press time.

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Zamfara residents abandon 30 villages over withdrawal of troops

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16 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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Panic has swept through parts of Zamfara State following the withdrawal of security troops from Lilo village in Mada district of Gusau Local Government Area, forcing more than 30 surrounding communities to abandon their homes in search of safety.

Residents said the mass exodus began after troops, who had been stationed in the area for over seven years, were suddenly evacuated late at night, leaving communities vulnerable to renewed bandit attacks.

A resident of Lilo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said fear spread quickly after the departure of the security personnel.

“We fled because we are afraid of imminent attacks by bandits. The troops have been our only protection,” he said.

According to him, the soldiers were first deployed to the village in June 2019 by former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, shortly after he assumed office.

“The troops stayed here for over seven years. There were more than 60 personnel from different security agencies. Their presence kept us safe,” he added.

He revealed that the troops were withdrawn around 10 p.m., with two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and a Toyota Hilux used to evacuate them.

“One of the security officers told me they were pulled out due to fears of ambush, especially as the rainy season begins. The river around the village makes access difficult, and reinforcement is nearly impossible,” he explained.

He recalled that during the previous rainy season, troops in the area were ambushed, resulting in the deaths of six personnel after reinforcements failed to arrive on time due to poor road conditions.

The resident further disclosed that over 30 communities across the Mada axis—stretching from Lilo to Gusami Gora and up to Birnin Magaji—had previously relocated to Lilo for safety, relying on the military presence for protection.

“We are surrounded by bandit camps. Some are less than three kilometres from this village, and some even occupy our farmlands,” he said.

He added that the relationship between residents and the troops had been cordial, with communities providing daily support to the personnel.

“We supported them with food, firewood, water, and even farmland. We cultivated and harvested crops for them. During festive periods, we contributed to provide animals for celebrations,” he said.

He stressed that the collaboration between residents and security forces had ensured relative peace in the area for years.

“For over seven years, there were no informants or bandit collaborators here. That is why we are now at risk—they see us as enemies for refusing to cooperate with them,” he said.

The source warned that remaining in the village without security protection could be disastrous.

“If the bandits attack, they will burn people alive and destroy the entire village. That is why we have no choice but to leave,” he said.

He also revealed that displaced residents were heading toward Gusau, the state capital, despite efforts by authorities to redirect them to nearby Keita or Kwatarkwashi.

“The district head insists we must reach the capital so the government can respond quickly to our situation,” he said.

When contacted, the Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the development.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the Commissioner of Police, A.M. Bello, had taken swift action.

“We immediately deployed a police tactical team with support from two Armoured Personnel Carriers to the area,” he said.

He added that normalcy had been restored following the intervention.

“With the presence of our personnel, calm has returned to the area,” Abubakar stated. (Daily Trust)

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Faleke picks presidential forms for Tinubu

Published

16 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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The lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, has picked up the All Progressives Congress Expression of Interest and Nomination forms on behalf of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, on Tuesday in Abuja, declared the process open and presented the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to Faleke, who also serves as the founder of the Tinubu Support Groups.

Faleke’s collection and payment for the forms, valued at N100 million on behalf of the President, formally signal the commencement of Tinubu’s bid for re-election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

The commission also announced that party primaries, including the resolution of related disputes, will run from April 23, 2026, to May 30, 2026.

INEC further stated that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while those for governorship and state assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026.