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Tag: #Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq

  • Humanitarian Affairs Minister releases GRADE Reports on 2022 Flooding, set to assist victims nationwide

    Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has presented the Global Rapid (Post Disaster) Damage Estimation (GRADE) Assessment report of the 2022 flood situation in Nigeria.

    Farouq, in her presentation at a media conference on Friday in Abuja, said that the report was earlier presented to President Muhammadu Buhari who approved the needed intervention to assist victims of the 2022 floods across the country.

    She said the objective of the GRADE, developed by the World Bank’s Disaster-Resilience Analytics and Solutions (D-RAS) team, was to assess the economic impacts of the flood that ravaged Nigeria between June and November 2022.

    According to her, the GRADE assessment gives an overview of the nature of the flood disaster and its impacts across Nigeria.

    She explained that it also gave the sectoral and state-by-state effects, which were critical for planning.

    The minister said that the assessment had become a vital tool to understanding the effects of the floods on people, especially the vulnerable groups and their coping capacity.

    Farouq emphasised that it could also be used to identify the most urgent recovery needs and the best methods of the reconstruction of critical sector and infrastructure.

    I would like to seize this opportunity to assure all well-meaning Nigerians that the Federal Government has been responding to the 2022 flood and sending relief materials to all affected states.

    “Furthermore, an abridged copy of the GRADE report was submitted to Mr President, based on which he graciously approved emergency intervention and livelihood programme for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    “Furthermore, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) will be encouraged to utilise aspects of the GRADE assessment to plan the recovery and rehabilitation of victims of the floods.

    “I hereby call on all responding MDAs in federal, states and local governments to also utilise this GRADE assessment to ameliorate the plights of victims of the 2022 floods,” Farouq said.

    The minister explained further that some of the key findings of the GRADE were that all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory were affected by the 2022 floods in Nigeria, with varying degrees of damages and people affected.

    According to Farouq, “this analysis estimates that the total direct economic damages, based on currently reported statistics as of 25th November, 2022, are in the range of $3.79 billion to $9.12 billion with the best (median) estimated at $6.68 billion.

    “This includes damages to residential and non-residential buildings, as well as damages to infrastructure, productive sectors and cropland.

    “Estimated median damages are thus generally lower than the 2012 assessment (PDNA), but some localised areas may have experienced greater impacts than in 2012, and past seasons such as 2018.

    “The number of persons affected has risen over the season since June up to between 4.4 million and 4.9 million affected people as at 25th November, 2022 (around 2 per cent of the country’s population).

    “In terms of destroyed and damaged buildings, there is significant damage in many states, with counting still ongoing.

    “Also, significant damage to infrastructure including roads, irrigation and river infrastructure as well as WASH and electricity infrastructure.

    Damage to agricultural crops, associated water infrastructure, fisheries and livestock were also severe,” Farouq said.

    Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, in his remarks earlier said that Farouq gave approval to solicit the support of the World Bank at the peak of the flooding period in 2022 to assist the ministry to come up with an assessment.

    “This is because, assessment of impact of disaster of such magnitude takes a minimum of six months of hard and diligent works and several layers of activities; we, therefore, opted for a new technology called GRADE.

    “This is the first time it is deployed in sub-Saharan Africa, and of course, it is the first time it is deployed in Nigeria. The minister gave us the approval to seek for this support and fortunately the World Bank came to our assistance.

    “They commission a series of Search Lights Stations across the globe, particularly in the United States and Australia that monitored our special horizons for a minimum of 14 days.

    “We compared the data of what they saw at that period and the data of the six months of the raging period of the floods and they came up with these results,” Sani-Gwarzo said. (NAN)

  • Humanitarian Affairs Minister releases GRADE Reports on 2022 Flooding, set to assist victims nationwide

    Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has presented the Global Rapid (Post Disaster) Damage Estimation (GRADE) Assessment report of the 2022 flood situation in Nigeria.

    Farouq, in her presentation at a media conference on Friday in Abuja, said that the report was earlier presented to President Muhammadu Buhari who approved the needed intervention to assist victims of the 2022 floods across the country.

    She said the objective of the GRADE, developed by the World Bank’s Disaster-Resilience Analytics and Solutions (D-RAS) team, was to assess the economic impacts of the flood that ravaged Nigeria between June and November 2022.

    According to her, the GRADE assessment gives an overview of the nature of the flood disaster and its impacts across Nigeria.

    She explained that it also gave the sectoral and state-by-state effects, which were critical for planning.

    The minister said that the assessment had become a vital tool to understanding the effects of the floods on people, especially the vulnerable groups and their coping capacity.

    Farouq emphasised that it could also be used to identify the most urgent recovery needs and the best methods of the reconstruction of critical sector and infrastructure.

    I would like to seize this opportunity to assure all well-meaning Nigerians that the Federal Government has been responding to the 2022 flood and sending relief materials to all affected states.

    “Furthermore, an abridged copy of the GRADE report was submitted to Mr President, based on which he graciously approved emergency intervention and livelihood programme for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    “Furthermore, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) will be encouraged to utilise aspects of the GRADE assessment to plan the recovery and rehabilitation of victims of the floods.

    “I hereby call on all responding MDAs in federal, states and local governments to also utilise this GRADE assessment to ameliorate the plights of victims of the 2022 floods,” Farouq said.

    The minister explained further that some of the key findings of the GRADE were that all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory were affected by the 2022 floods in Nigeria, with varying degrees of damages and people affected.

    According to Farouq, “this analysis estimates that the total direct economic damages, based on currently reported statistics as of 25th November, 2022, are in the range of $3.79 billion to $9.12 billion with the best (median) estimated at $6.68 billion.

    “This includes damages to residential and non-residential buildings, as well as damages to infrastructure, productive sectors and cropland.

    “Estimated median damages are thus generally lower than the 2012 assessment (PDNA), but some localised areas may have experienced greater impacts than in 2012, and past seasons such as 2018.

    “The number of persons affected has risen over the season since June up to between 4.4 million and 4.9 million affected people as at 25th November, 2022 (around 2 per cent of the country’s population).

    “In terms of destroyed and damaged buildings, there is significant damage in many states, with counting still ongoing.

    “Also, significant damage to infrastructure including roads, irrigation and river infrastructure as well as WASH and electricity infrastructure.

    Damage to agricultural crops, associated water infrastructure, fisheries and livestock were also severe,” Farouq said.

    Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, in his remarks earlier said that Farouq gave approval to solicit the support of the World Bank at the peak of the flooding period in 2022 to assist the ministry to come up with an assessment.

    “This is because, assessment of impact of disaster of such magnitude takes a minimum of six months of hard and diligent works and several layers of activities; we, therefore, opted for a new technology called GRADE.

    “This is the first time it is deployed in sub-Saharan Africa, and of course, it is the first time it is deployed in Nigeria. The minister gave us the approval to seek for this support and fortunately the World Bank came to our assistance.

    “They commission a series of Search Lights Stations across the globe, particularly in the United States and Australia that monitored our special horizons for a minimum of 14 days.

    “We compared the data of what they saw at that period and the data of the six months of the raging period of the floods and they came up with these results,” Sani-Gwarzo said. (NAN)

  • 2022 floods affected 3.2 million persons as FG distributes relief materials in 21 states – Minister

    The Federal Government says it has distributed relief materials to 21 states affected by floods.

    Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development made the declaration in statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The statement was signed by her media aide, Mrs Nneka Anibeze.

    According to the minister, more than 3.2 million persons were reportedly affected by the 2022 floods as at Oct. 24.

    “More than 1.4 million persons have been internally displaced; 2,776 persons were injured, 612 people lost their lives while 181,600 houses were partially damaged.

    “Number of totally damaged houses was 123,807; 176,852 hectares of farmlands were partially damaged, while 392,399 hectares of farmlands have been totally damaged,’’ Farouq said.

    She added that distribution of food and non-food items to more states were on-going as government was prepared to assist all the affected states.

    “A total of 21 states have received relief materials so far. They are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo and the FCT.

    “Others are Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe.

    “Specialised teams are on ground. There are some states and local governments that are inaccessible and hard to reach.

    “To address this, we are working with military’s disaster response units and other stakeholders with specialised skills and equipment to reach the hard-to-reach areas and people at risk.

    “Materials distributed included rice, beans, maize, garri, vegetable oil, tin tomatoes and seasonings.

    “Others are materials to assist with temporary shelters for displaced communities.

    “These include roofing sheets, cement, nails, ceiling boards, blankets, nylon mats and zinc,’’ Farouq said.

    The minister added that Search-and-Rescue teams had continued to evacuate, relocate and refer victims to hospitals and enjoined other stakeholders to join in the efforts to assist victims.

    “The teams which are responsible for evacuating people and providing first aid and medical supports and referrals to hospitals have been able to reach 199 local government areas in 25 states.

    “The operations are on-going and I urge communities at risk to adhere to warnings and instructions issued by the teams as they work to protect and save lives.

    “We hope that government organs such as Water Resources, Health, Works and Housing, Agriculture and Environment ministries will give their own updates on operations to resolve the emergency.

    “I also implore states and local governments to share information with us and also respond in line with the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan,’’ she said.

    “I commend local communities for their resilience; we received a report that in 144 local government areas and communities worked together to provide the first response for victims.

    “A high-level delegation will visit some states next week to follow up on operations and to identify any new challenges and gaps in the operations that need to be addressed.

    “This will enable government to access the situation and provide and meet with victims and families that have been affected,’’ Farouq stressed. (NAN)

  • Humanitarian Ministry, ITF train 19 Women with Disabilities on hospitality industry, others


    By NAN

    The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, in collaboration with Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has completed the training of 19 women with disabilities in various skills.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the women are trained on  Hospitality and Tourism, Event Management, Cosmetology and Make Up.

    Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, at the graduation ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, congratulated the trainees.

    She said disability was both a human and development issue, adding that global focus had been on addressing disability challenges that continually threatened human existence and attainment of meaningful development.

    Farouq said that women and girls with disabilities suffered the double burden of being women and also living with disabilities.

    Farouq added that the global economic crises was affecting woman and girls with capabilities.

    “Thus, my ministry through the Special Needs Department, thought it wise to organise training to enhance the skills of the trainees in the selected trades, build entrepreneurship skills and enhance their employee-of-labour potential.

    “It may interest you to note that this training is just a pilot phase with the intention of scaling up to other states of the federation.

    “I understand that 19 of you received the training, with 12 in hospitality and Event Management, while seven had cosmetology and Make Up. I advise that you all make good use of this opportunity to improve on your livelihoods.

    “The sky is only your starting point, and I strongly believe that the market was there for you to be on your own, expand and even become employers of labour.

    “We will continue to support you to ensure that you start on a right footing by giving out grants of N100,000 each. We will also be following up on you to check how the training has impacted on you,” Farouq said.

    The minister asked the trainees to supply their bank account details so that by next week the grants of N100,000 would drop in each and every one’s accounts.

    NAN reports that Farouq was represented at the ceremony by the Director of Special Needs in the ministry, Mrs Nkechi Onwukwue.

    Speaking, the ITF’s Training Manager, Hajiya Halima Rabo, said the trainees came as individuals, but leaving with skills.

    “It is important to impact in the lives of persons with disability. It is also important to note that disability does not mean you are not able to be creative and create value in the society.

    “It is my believe that very soon, you would come to tell me how you are doing and we will follow up on what you are doing. Congratulations to you all and please, come back with success stories,” Rabo urged the trainees.

    Similarly, the ITF’s Area Manager, Abuja Area Office, Hajiya Hauwa Mohammed, said that the trainees were leaving better than when they came.

    “From what you have learnt here, you will be gainfully employed without waiting for government or other organisations to employ you. A skilled hands will never lack”.

    Also, the Advocacy Advisor of Sightsavers Nigeria, Mrs Esther Bature, said females were marginalised in the scheme of things.

    She added that as a woman with disability, it wass even worst.

    ” This event is timely because today, we are celebrating the International Day of the girl-child.

    “We hope that acquiring these skills will be a better start of good things to come to women and girls with disabilities,” Bature said.

    Other stakeholders from National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, FCTA’s Social Development Secretariat, Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative and others restated their commitment to support women and girls with disabilities. (NAN)

  • Senior Citizens Centre pushes for social safety net for older persons


    By NAN

    The Director-General, National Senior Citizen Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro, says the centre will inaugurate social safety net for older persons to further enhance their livelihoods in the country.

    Omokaro made this known at a news conference on Friday in Abuja as part of activities marking this year’s independence anniversary and the International Day for Older Persons by the centre.

    She noted that there were 70 older persons in each and every state of the federation benefiting from the grants for poor and vulnerable households under the National Social Investment Programme.

    According to her, the NSCC Stakeholders Consultative Forum facilitated the authentication and identification of older persons in all states in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory.

    According to Omokaro, many states have been paid and the remaining few ones would soon receive payment, adding that NSCC has set up a structure to reach older persons in Nigeria.

    “Social Safety Net for Older Persons is the advocacy we have been pushing to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq.

    “The minister has actually approved our memo and we are to work with National Social Safety Net and Coordinating Office (NASSCO); which we have started already.

    “We have drafted the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NASSCO and it is awaiting signing; and NASSCO has transmitted to us data on poor and vulnerable households across Nigeria.

    “So, what is left now is to sign the MoU and have a dedicated Social Safety Net for Older Persons. So far, they have captured in the data base 2.52 million poor older persons.

    “And from that data base, they have extracted into the social register 250 older people that are now benefiting from the household grant and that is about seven per cent of older people.

    “So, we pushed and advocated that these older persons be extracted from the general households and then give us a dedicated older people stand alone Social Safety Net,” Omokaro said.

    The NSCC boss explained that having a social safety net for older people would go a long way to enhance their livelihoods and economic power to live a signifying life.

    She said the centre is collaborating with UN, government ministries, departments and agencies to better the lives of older persons in healthcare service, agriculture, craft, recreation and intergenerational exchange of ideas.

    “To achieve this, we have developed a national plan of action, linkages with states and local governments, engagement mechanism across the country to build sustainable stakeholders structure that would carry our messages to all nooks and crannies of the country”.

    She said Nigeria has moved from no action to a very vibrant, energetic and robust activities to ensure that positive actions are taken to favour older persons and to also change the narrative.

    Omokaro said the demography of older persons in Africa, including Nigeria, is increasing and there is need for synergy between the older and younger generations.

    “However, Oct. 1 is the International Day for Older Persons. The theme of the Day ‘Resilience of Older Women in a Changing World’ is apt to NSCC, as it gives us the opportunity to market what we are doing.

    “Our independence also fall on Oct. 1, so President Muhammadu Buhari designated Oct. 5 National Day of Senior Citizens. So this year, we want to acknowledge the International Day for Older Persons.


    .

  • Senior Citizens Centre pushes for social safety net for older persons


    By NAN

    The Director-General, National Senior Citizen Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro, says the centre will inaugurate social safety net for older persons to further enhance their livelihoods in the country.

    Omokaro made this known at a news conference on Friday in Abuja as part of activities marking this year’s independence anniversary and the International Day for Older Persons by the centre.

    She noted that there were 70 older persons in each and every state of the federation benefiting from the grants for poor and vulnerable households under the National Social Investment Programme.

    According to her, the NSCC Stakeholders Consultative Forum facilitated the authentication and identification of older persons in all states in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory.

    According to Omokaro, many states have been paid and the remaining few ones would soon receive payment, adding that NSCC has set up a structure to reach older persons in Nigeria.

    “Social Safety Net for Older Persons is the advocacy we have been pushing to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq.

    “The minister has actually approved our memo and we are to work with National Social Safety Net and Coordinating Office (NASSCO); which we have started already.

    “We have drafted the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NASSCO and it is awaiting signing; and NASSCO has transmitted to us data on poor and vulnerable households across Nigeria.

    “So, what is left now is to sign the MoU and have a dedicated Social Safety Net for Older Persons. So far, they have captured in the data base 2.52 million poor older persons.

    “And from that data base, they have extracted into the social register 250 older people that are now benefiting from the household grant and that is about seven per cent of older people.

    “So, we pushed and advocated that these older persons be extracted from the general households and then give us a dedicated older people stand alone Social Safety Net,” Omokaro said.

    The NSCC boss explained that having a social safety net for older people would go a long way to enhance their livelihoods and economic power to live a signifying life.

    She said the centre is collaborating with UN, government ministries, departments and agencies to better the lives of older persons in healthcare service, agriculture, craft, recreation and intergenerational exchange of ideas.

    “To achieve this, we have developed a national plan of action, linkages with states and local governments, engagement mechanism across the country to build sustainable stakeholders structure that would carry our messages to all nooks and crannies of the country”.

    She said Nigeria has moved from no action to a very vibrant, energetic and robust activities to ensure that positive actions are taken to favour older persons and to also change the narrative.

    Omokaro said the demography of older persons in Africa, including Nigeria, is increasing and there is need for synergy between the older and younger generations.

    “However, Oct. 1 is the International Day for Older Persons. The theme of the Day ‘Resilience of Older Women in a Changing World’ is apt to NSCC, as it gives us the opportunity to market what we are doing.

    “Our independence also fall on Oct. 1, so President Muhammadu Buhari designated Oct. 5 National Day of Senior Citizens. So this year, we want to acknowledge the International Day for Older Persons.


    .

  • Minister urges stakeholders to tackle illicit drug supply

    By NAN

    Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has urged stakeholders to tackle illicit drugs supply and humanitarian conflicts in the country.

    Farouq made the call in her keynote address at the awareness campaign against drugs and substance abuse and illicit trafficking on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The event with the theme: ”Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises” was organised by the ministry to sensitise youths and other stakeholders and vulnerable groups on drug and substance abuse.

    The minister, represented by Mr Chogudo Aliyu, a Deputy Director in the ministry said that in national development, there was need to put more efforts in addressing drugs and substances abuse among the youths.

    “It should not be left to the government, individual and rehabs alone, but should be a collective responsibility with everyone playing their role.

    “I am optimistic that as designed, this event will create a better society for all. The Federal Government is concerned about the growing number of controlled substance abusers.

    “Most times, drug abuse affects more than just the person getting high; it is detrimental to their relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.

    “Drug abuse has reached an unprecedented level in our nation today and its dire consequences are around us. It has destroyed thousands of young people’s lives,” she said.

    Farouq therefore, called on all stakeholders to take meaningful steps in minimising conflict as well as protect people, including strengthening drug use prevention, treatment and tackling illicit supply.

    Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, represented by Mr Peter Audu, the Deputy Director in the ministry said that government was committed to addressing drug addiction.

    Sani-Gwarzo said that the objective of the event was apt as it would help to ameliorate challenges of youths.

    According to him, this is by using fact-based information to raise awareness of the potential harm from non-medical use of illicit drugs.

    “The ministry will always work with its partners to strategically implement programmes that will reduce substance abuse by providing communities with valuable information to reduce substance abuse,” he said.

    NAN reports that officials from Ministries of Women Affairs and Health, NAPTIP, NDLEA, NAFDAC, NYSC some secondary school students and many others were in attendance. (NAN)

  • Minister urges stakeholders to tackle illicit drug supply

    By NAN

    Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has urged stakeholders to tackle illicit drugs supply and humanitarian conflicts in the country.

    Farouq made the call in her keynote address at the awareness campaign against drugs and substance abuse and illicit trafficking on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The event with the theme: ”Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises” was organised by the ministry to sensitise youths and other stakeholders and vulnerable groups on drug and substance abuse.

    The minister, represented by Mr Chogudo Aliyu, a Deputy Director in the ministry said that in national development, there was need to put more efforts in addressing drugs and substances abuse among the youths.

    “It should not be left to the government, individual and rehabs alone, but should be a collective responsibility with everyone playing their role.

    “I am optimistic that as designed, this event will create a better society for all. The Federal Government is concerned about the growing number of controlled substance abusers.

    “Most times, drug abuse affects more than just the person getting high; it is detrimental to their relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.

    “Drug abuse has reached an unprecedented level in our nation today and its dire consequences are around us. It has destroyed thousands of young people’s lives,” she said.

    Farouq therefore, called on all stakeholders to take meaningful steps in minimising conflict as well as protect people, including strengthening drug use prevention, treatment and tackling illicit supply.

    Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, represented by Mr Peter Audu, the Deputy Director in the ministry said that government was committed to addressing drug addiction.

    Sani-Gwarzo said that the objective of the event was apt as it would help to ameliorate challenges of youths.

    According to him, this is by using fact-based information to raise awareness of the potential harm from non-medical use of illicit drugs.

    “The ministry will always work with its partners to strategically implement programmes that will reduce substance abuse by providing communities with valuable information to reduce substance abuse,” he said.

    NAN reports that officials from Ministries of Women Affairs and Health, NAPTIP, NDLEA, NAFDAC, NYSC some secondary school students and many others were in attendance. (NAN)

  • FG urges Stakeholders to develop actionable plan to end IDPs’ hardship

    The Federal Government has tasked the National Humanitarian Coordination Technical Working Group (NHCTWG) and stakeholders to develop a robust methodology for the development of a National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) policy.

    Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development made the call at the Fifth National Humanitarian Coordination Technical Working Group (NHCTWG) meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

    The Minister recalled that on Feb. 24, 2020, President  Muhammadu Buhari  approved the constitution of a National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC) to oversee all humanitarian actions in the country.

    She said the committee was charged with providing the  national vision for humanitarian actions, advise on coordination between the security services and humanitarian actors.

    “However, the NHCC set up this TWG  a multi-sectoral committee to serve as its engine room and  to provide technical support to the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC).

    “It is also to provide platform for stakeholders in the humanitarian space to interrogate all humanitarian operations, emerging issues and ensure seamless response and application of best practices.

    “This fifth meeting will inter alia focus primarily on updates on National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) after its approval by Federal Executive Council on 1st September 2021.

    “I, therefore, charge stakeholders to exchange ideas, views and agree on the most robust methodology towards the development of actionable NAP for the implementation of the IDP policy,” Farouq stressed.

    According to her, this will go a long way to activate a process of closing the gap in coordination and management of IDPs in the country.

    “Therefore, your expert contributions are  highly desired and would be very much appreciated. I wish you all  successful deliberations”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while Farouq was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Ali Grema represented Sani-Gwarzo.

    Also speaking, Deputy Head of Office, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), Esty Sutyoko said UN would continue to support the ministry in delivering of it mandate.

    “It is a thing of joy to see that the ministry is championing the humanitarian course.

    “We will continue to contribute our quota to see that the Ministry attain its vast mandate, which includes effective coordination of national and international human development.

    “Insecurity in the North East and other parts of the country have been disrupting life systems and social services.

    “In these critical times, as an international organisation, UN-OCHA and other organisations will continue to provide the needed support.

    “We have reiterated our commitment to stand by Nigeria and support her actions towards providing humanitarian needs.Thus, it is necessary for us to improve our collaboration,”  Sutyoko.said.

    NAN reports that the event was attended by Civil Society Organisations, International Non Governmental Organisations, the military and other relevant stakeholders in the humanitarian sector. (NAN)

  • NSIP’s mobile money agents earn N1.8m in 3 months

    By NAN
    The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development says 10 active Mobile Money Agents (MMAs) under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) earned over N1.8 million in over 300 million transactions within three months.

    This is contained in a report issued by Mrs Halima Oyelade, the Special Assistant on Strategic Communication to Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, on Thursday in Abuja.

    “The top 10 MMAs on boarded by Kolomoni, one of the Super-Agents recorded a transaction of over N300 million between January and March and earned over N1.85 million.

    “The cumulative transaction of the 10 MMAs between January and March, 2022 is 300.096 million with earnings up to N1. 852 million,’’ Oyelade said.

    In addition, she explained that between January and March, about 162 active agents on boarded by Kolomoni recorded a total transaction of over N657 million.

    “In January, cash withdrawal volume was over N103 million in 11,305 transactions with cash transfer volume of over N104 million.

    “In February, cash withdrawal volume was more than N121 million in 12,722 transactions with cash transfer of over N119 million.

    “In March, cash withdrawal volume was over N105 million in 11,452 transactions with cash transfer of more than N104 million.

    “This brings to a total of more than N330  million cash withdrawal in 35,479 transactions and over N327 million  volume of transfer by 162 active agents’’ Oyelade said.

    She explained that this showed that the NSIP had been  delivering on its mandate in line with Buhari’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

    According to her, the super-agents periodically and progressively review the commission earned by beneficiaries to reward performance.

    “However, the ministry is working to support outstanding beneficiaries to access micro-loans to boost their business capital.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Farouq during the inauguration of the MMAs programme said it was introduced into the NSIP in 2020 to sustain the social inclusion agenda of Buhari’s administration.

    The programme targets unemployed youths that have the positive mind and drive for self-employment. It targets 1,850 youths across the 36 States and FCT.

    The programme was designed to empower unemployed youths and develop their competences to operate as registered MMAs to enhance their entrepreneurial competence to successfully start and manage mobile money businesses.

    They will be registered with the Shared Agency Network Expansion Facility (SANEF) as MMAs and be provided with Start-up Kits including a Point-of-Sale (POS) Machine, Fingerprint Scanner, chairs, tables and umbrellas and a token.

    Meanwhile, one of the MMAs in Kaduna, Mr Sanusi Jamilu told NAN that the business was going on smoothly when he started.

    He said the only challenge was that the POS Machine given to him was of 3G internet service and as such sometimes the process is slow.

    “When I initially started, I used to have few customers, but now that I have large customers, the machine could not meet up, so I had to get another one that is 4G to expand my business.

    “And since then, everything is going on fine and I am earning higher now,’’ Jamilu said.

    Another MMA, Malam Sani Mansur from Katsina said he started fine, but later discovered that the charges from the bank became too high.

    “The charges are too high. If you withdraw N100, 000, they would charge you N550. I have complained, but no any positive response.

    “I am now using a different terminal, but still in the business. I would like them to review the programme, focusing on the charges and terminal,’’ he said.

    Mr Promise Innocent in Abuja said he used the device last in May, 2021 and after that month, it was no longer working.

    “They gave me the number of a super-agent that owns the device and was told their head office is in Ibadan; it is too far for me.

    “I can’t go there. I have been trying, but it did not work, and I still have my N80, 000 in the device.

    “When I started in 2020, it was good, I do five to six transactions a day, but in May 2021, I started having issues with the device. However, I want to thank the ministry for their efforts,’’ Innocent said.(NAN)