Gov Bassey Otu


The reality of the N20,000 grants promised by the Federal Government under its repackaged Poor and Vulnerable Poverty Alleviation Scheme came alive on Christmas day in Cross River State as the  Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu distributed the grants to beneficiaries 


The event, which held at the popular Millennium Park, besides the State Library complex, attracted the presence of who is who in the State including  Governor Bassey Edet Otu, his wife, her Excellency, Rev (Mrs) Eyoanwan Otu, and traditional rulers as well as eminent sons and daughters of the State


Dr Betta Edu


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, noting that 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


 The Minister said 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) 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, Gov 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.


The governor further applauded  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 a reaction,  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.”