Bassey Inyang in Calabar
The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has stated that President Bola Tinubu was working towards uplifting the poor and vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty.
She also stated that the federal government in partnership with the Cross River state government will on Christmas day flag off the payment of grants to indigent people in the state.
The minister made the announcement at the weekend during the 15th Coronation Anniversary of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V and the 2023 annual Utomo Obong Festival, held in Adiabo, the country home of the monarch in Calabar metropolis.
“President Bola Tinubu has directed that smiles be put on the faces of the poor and vulnerable at the grassroots this Christmas season, so we’ve put together names of vulnerable groups in Cross River and we’re beginning with those in the Southern Senatorial District. The flag-off will be at Millennium Park on Christmas Day.
“These funds that we will be put in their pockets will help them to start micro-businesses that can go a long way in sustaining their family and pull them out of poverty,” Edu said.
Edu said that her ministry has a checklist of would-be beneficiaries of the scheme having reached out through the traditional rulers, to all the communities the at the wards levels , the villages, to select those who met the criteria.
She described the Utomo Obong festival as a classy celebration of the rich Efik cultural heritage and congratulated the Obong on his 15th coronation anniversary as well as for the success of the festival.
