Humanitarian Affairs Takes A Different Shape In Nigeria

Edu Announces Restructuring Of National Safety Net Program, Says N-power, Others Were Established To Create Jobs, Provide Succour And Not Cause Pains For Nigerians.

Nigerian Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has announced new cluster heads of programme under the National Social Safety Net Programme in line with President Tinubu\’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking while addressing management and staff of the programs in Abuja, the Minister said the changes became necessary to give new energy and sense of direction with desired results. There is no tolerance for excuse or failure.

Edu said the N-power and other Social Safety-Nets programs were rolled out to create jobs and not pains for Nigerians, reminding them that their appointments is under probation for a period of six months.

She warned that anyone who performed below expectations would be replaced, directing all of them to go to the field where the poor people live and not sit in their air-conditioned offices in Abuja. “Every day, you must be out on the field achieving results. Nigerians are waiting. We have zero tolerance for inefficiency, excuses, and failure. We need results and verifiable results.”

The Minister explained that with over 70million extremely poor who are living below 1.95cents per day, it was clear that the old strategies must give way to a practical and acceptable approach in line with the vision of the President.

\”The priority under the Renewed Hope Agenda aims at lifting 133 million Nigerians out of multi-dimensional poverty. We are restructuring the programs under the National Social investment Programme to bring speed and realignment to the new mandate. Some program implementation has been delayed for two years; things must change and be done differently to get better results.\”

The restructured programs will target the relevant people, be transparent and accountable, and rebuild the trust of the people in the government again.

Continuing, she said; \”Beneficiaries of the program must be willing to sign full Disclosure. So they are verifiable by anyone.

\’We need to be more effective, imbibe private sector mentality, be flexible and have a team spirit mentality.

\”NSIP and other programs will be expanded. Names of the programmes will be changed, such as Renewed Hope GEEP
Programme, Renewed Hope Job Creation Scheme(NPower), Renewed Hope for At Risk Children, Renewed Hope Shelter Programme for Refuges, Poor and IDPs, Renewed Hope Community and Social Development, National Cash Transfer Office and Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups.

\”We are changing the model. We are changing implementation strategy, and we need to make it work at all cost. I will not hesitate to change anyone underperforming until the result is given, \”she stated.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon Abel Enitan commended the Minister for her foresight for the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Enitan assured the Minister of the support of the ministry\’s staff and top management officers to actualize the set objectives.

Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA
26/09/2023