The Federal Government’s decision to initiate a monthly payment of N25,000 to vulnerable pensioners has evoked a range of reactions. While some have praised this move, others contend that it’s a small step given the current economic challenges in Nigeria.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, who outlined the plan as part of the National Social Register of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja. She emphasized that this initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to labor leaders, as he had publicly pledged N25,000 for 15 million households over three months on Independence Day.
Edu urged the NLC to expedite the process of gathering data on potential beneficiaries to ensure they could begin receiving the CCT payments promptly, with the aim of commencing disbursements as early as November.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, applauded the ministry for its various poverty alleviation programs and recognized the minister’s dedication. He also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of poverty in addition to providing immediate relief.
The President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Minister for recognizing retired civil servants as deserving of government support. Abumisi highlighted the current low pension rates, with many pensioners receiving as little as N5,000 to N10,000 per month. He welcomed the N25,000 payment and commended the minister’s performance.
However, some individuals believe that the N25,000 intervention is insufficient in light of Nigeria’s economic challenges. Dr. Pogu Bitrus, the President of the Middle Belt Forum, acknowledged the positive intent but emphasized that the removal of fuel subsidies has exacerbated economic difficulties, making the N25,000 a relatively small benefit in the face of rising costs.
Bitrus argued for immediate action on refinery repairs and a reconsideration of the fuel subsidy removal to improve citizens’ well-being. He also pointed out that the initiative, though well-intentioned, may be coming too late to mitigate the damage caused by the subsidy removal.
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Dr. Ugwu Anthony, an Associate Professor of Medical Imaging, commended the government but expressed concerns about potential mismanagement of funds and its limited impact given the broader economic challenges.
Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, acknowledged the government’s effort, emphasizing the need for extraordinary measures in these unusual economic circumstances.
Maxi Okwu, a legal practitioner and former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, argued that the N25,000 monthly grant would not significantly alleviate economic hardships and recommended addressing the root economic issues, such as fixing refineries.
Yusuf Shehu, a former member of the Katsina State House of Assembly, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such programs and stressed the need to address the challenges faced by the wider population.
In contrast, Seigha Manager, a Niger Delta activist, criticized the initiative as inadequate and questioned its fairness, pointing out that many vulnerable groups were left out. He suggested a more comprehensive approach to tackle Nigeria’s economic problems.
On the other hand, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) welcomed the initiative and expressed gratitude to the government, emphasizing the importance of extending the program beyond the initial three-month period.
According to Bunmi Ogunkola, the NUP’s Public Relations Officer, while some may argue that the N25,000 is insufficient, those who are not pensioners might not fully understand the hardships pensioners face. The NUP is appreciative of the assistance and hopes that the government will consider extending the program’s duration.
In summary, the government’s decision to provide N25,000 monthly payments to vulnerable pensioners has triggered mixed reactions, with some praising the effort and others expressing concerns about its adequacy in the face of broader economic challenges. There is a consensus on the importance of addressing the root causes of economic difficulties and the need for comprehensive solutions to improve the well-being of all Nigerians.
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