“I Don Get Alert, Godwin” – Beneficiaries Celebrate FG’s N20,000 Grant In C-River
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The popular hit single “Godwin” by Nigerian singer and songwriter, Korede Bello, rented the air as beneficiaries broke into celebrations for receiving the N20,000 grants offered by Federal Government under its repackaged Poor and Vulnerable Poverty Alleviation Scheme
Current driver of the Scheme, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu had taken the government’s Yuletide message to Cross River State on Christmas Day and it was a joyous event as the grants worth over N20 million put smiles on the faces of beneficiaries.
The event, held at the popular Millennium Park, besides the State Library complex, had in attendance notable personalities including Governor Bassey Edet Otu, her Excellency, Rev (Mrs) Eyoanwan Otu, and traditional rulers as well as eminent sons and daughters of the State
Interestingly, official proceedings at the programme came to temporary halt as most beneficiaries suddenly broke into a dance, jumping for joy and chorusing the popular hit tune “I don get alert, naa Godwin” on receiving evidence of the N20,000 lodgment in their respective accounts on the spot.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Minister, Dr Edu assured that the Federal Government poverty alleviation programme, ‘Shelter for the Poor and the Vulnerable’ would be faithfully implemented in partnership with State governments.
She explained that modalities for its implementation are still being worked out, adding that when officially launched the Scheme, which would provide shelter for the poor, the vulnerable and refugees, is designed in a manner that State governors are expected to play key roles as strategic partners
Dr Edu, who charged beneficiaries to see themselves as the symbol of poverty eradication in the country, also urged members of the public falling below poverty line not to hesitate in linking up and registering with any of the government’s poverty alleviation programmes initiated to redress economic backwardness among the poor and the vulnerable.
She said the poverty alleviation programme was introduced to ensure that at least about 50 million Nigerians are pulled out of poverty lines within the next 42 months
According to the Minister, about 3.5 million Nigerians have so far been positively affected by the conditional cash transfer scheme since it was launched by Mr President, adding this clearly demonstrates the government’s commitment to improve the lots of Nigerians.
In her keynote address, Wife of the State Governor, Rev (Mrs) Eyoanwan Otu, said the grants for the vulnerable would no doubt impact significantly on the lives of the countless beneficiaries.
She also noted that the collective efforts by both the Federal and states governments would inspire hope and bring about the much desired relief to those in dire need of the grants.
Also speaking at the event, Governor Bassey Edet Otu lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the vision and pragmatic solutions in tackling poverty among Nigerians.
He described Mr President as a visionary leader with a benevolent heart whose economic prosperity programmes are designed to cut across all barriers of human endeavour.
Governor Otu also praised the Minister for choosing Cross River at this festive season to launch the ‘impactful’ poverty alleviation programme, pointing out that the event marks a complete departure from what the people have been watching and listening to both on television and radio
He charged beneficiaries to go home and tell their stories to others who may still be doubting the reality of the programme.
In an interview with Forefront News, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Atim Effiong Itam, a widow, expressed joy for being selected to benefit from the programme.
Confessing her initial skepticism about the programme, she said; “I thought it was just the usual political gimmick aimed at deceiving the public until the alert hit my phone. I’m grateful to Mr President.”
