Kwara State governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has stated that there is sufficient evidence to show that the federal government’s Cash Transfer program, which it launched for the most vulnerable citizens, is a viable solution to extreme poverty.
Speaking at the opening of the UNDP Socio-Economic Revitalization Support Programme, which targets over 3,000 needy families and small enterprises for unconditional cash transfers, AbdulRazaq praised the federal government for setting the example.
He said, “Cash transfer to vulnerable people has proven to be a workable solution to extreme poverty.
“There is documented evidence of how putting money directly in the hands of the needy has helped to refocus the global efforts to empower people. It gives people the power to dictate the direction of their own future.”
“In Kwara State, we have long domiciled the cash transfer policy of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“It works for us as it has worked for the federal government. Through our social investment programmes and some other interventions, we have reduced the poverty rate from 30.2 per cent to 20.4 per cent. We have also helped young people to grow their businesses.
“Like our own Owo Arugbo, I am aware that the UNDP’s cash transfer has no strings attached.
“Regardless, I urge beneficiaries to use the money judiciously. This is the way to encourage organisations like the UNDP and the government to do more in the hope that the objective of spreading wealth will not be defeated, he added.”
AbdulRazaq applauded the federal government and UNDP for making meaningful efforts to support small companies and provide solace to the general public in the wake of the pandemic.
The Special Assistant to the President on the SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by Mr. Israel Echukwu, praised the Governor and said that all hands must be on deck for the country to achieve great success in the implementation of the SDGs.
With a focus on women, youths, and vulnerable households, the UNDP unconditional cash transfer initiative has 3,082 recipients in mind. Startups will receive $100,000 apiece, while informal companies will receive N50,000.
Participants included the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Israel Echukwu, the Resident Representative of UNDP in Nigeria, Mohamed Yahaya, Cabinet members, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on SDGs, Dr. Jemilat Bio, the Chairman of YOLAS Consultancy, Lanre Sagaya, Alhaji Ibrahim Salman, the Chairman of LUBCON Nig. Ltd. and an APC leader,
Others are High Chief Isiaka Adebayo, who represents the Olofa of Offa, Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos, who represents the Emir of Ilorin and Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, HRH Oba Johnson Dada, the Oloro of Oro-Ago, and other traditional rulers.
