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25,907 Vulnerable Osun Citizens to Get Stipends

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osun state

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Osun State Government has ordered the payment of stipends to 25,907 vulnerable citizens as part of palliative measures following the mandatory lockdown in the state.

The Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, also directed the immediate distribution of Debit Cards linked to the accounts of the beneficiaries in a bid to ensure transparency and accountability.

This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Lawal Azeez Olayemi, in Ile-Ife, during the distribution of the Debit Cards to the beneficiaries.

Mr Opeyemi said there had been an approved payment of N20,000 each to 15,289 elderly citizens and people living with disabilities captured under the Special Grant Transfer (SGT) scheme.

He added that approval had also been given for the immediate payment of N7,500 stipends to 10,618 beneficiaries who are vulnerable youths captured under Public Workfare (PWF) programme.

The Commissioner, who maintained that the administration of Governor Oyetola was committed to the people’s welfare, noted that the gesture would go a long way in transforming the lives of the beneficiaries.

He clarified that the disbursement of the funds under the SGT and PWF was different from the Federal Government Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) recently launched by the Governor.

The Commissioner added that the Governor has also mandated the immediate release of the monthly and quarterly stipends to the beneficiaries as part of efforts to alleviate the effects of hardship that the people are going through due to the lockdown.

According to him, the gesture would go a long way to promote the general well-being of the beneficiaries and by extension, make life pleasurable for them.

He said the scheme, which started in July 2019, was a partnership between the Osun State Government and World Bank.

“This is a collaboration between the state government and World Bank designed to alleviate poverty, hunger and unemployment among the people in the state. We commenced the exercise in line with the governor’s directive to ensure that every beneficiary under the scheme gets paid.

“There are two categories of beneficiaries. The first are the set of people living with disabilities and the aged. They are 15,289 and captured under the Special Grant Transfer (SGT). Also, there is Public Work Fare (PWF) which is designed for the youths and the beneficiaries under this are 10,618.

“The elderly ones and those living with disabilities are given N20,000 each quarterly while the beneficiaries under the Public Workfare (PWF) each take home N7,500 monthly.

“We started the distribution of Debit Cards last week Friday where we captured Irewole, Isokan, Iwo, Ede-North and Ede-South local governments respectively. We have also captured Atakumosa- East, Ilesa-East, Oriade and Boluwaduro, Ife-East, Ife-Central, Atakumosa-West, Ila and Ife-North local governments.

“We are moving next to Orolu, Boripe, Ifelodun, Olorunda, Odo-Otin, Osogbo, Ife-South, Ifedayo, Irepodun and Ejigbo local governments.

“Though this programme has been on since last year’s July but to ensure a high level of transparency and accountability, the state Governor had approved the production and distribution of Debit Cards to the beneficiaries.

“Before now, the beneficiaries used to receive their stipends by hands, but with this new technology, the process will be easier.

“The Debit Cards which is linked with the beneficiary’s account is aimed at ensuring easy access to funds. This social intervention programme is different from the Federal Government Conditional Cash Transfer recently launched by the governor,” Mr Olayemi said.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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BREAKING: Awujale of Ijebuland Sikiru Adetona Dies at 91

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Awujale of Ijebuland sikiru adetona

By Dipo Olowookere

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has died at the age of 91, reports reaching Business Post say.

It was gathered that the prominent Ijebu monarch died on Sunday on a day one of his longtime allies, Mr Muhammadu Buhari, died in a London clinic.

The traditional ruler was not present at the popular Ojude Oba held in Ijebu Ode last month, as he was represented by his wife.

Born on May 10, 1934, he became the Awujale on April 2, 1960, making him one of the longest reigning monarchs in Nigeria.

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Tinubu Orders Shettima to Accompany Buhari’s Corpse to Nigeria

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Kashim Shettima

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shetima, has been directed by his boss, President Bola Tinubu, to travel to the United Kingdom to accompany the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria.

This directive was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Buhari died in a London clinic on Sunday and in the statement, Mr Tinubu offered his deep condolences to the family of his predecessor, especially the window, Mrs Aisha Buhari.

“President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences.

“President Tinubu has also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria,” a part of the statement said.

President Tinubu has ordered flags at half-staff as a mark of respect for the departed leader.

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JUST IN: Former President Buhari Dies in London

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President Buhari

By Dipo Olowookere

The immediate past president of Nigeria, Mr Muhammadu Buhari, has died, his former spokesman, Mr Garba Shehu, has confirmed.

The Katsina State-born former military officer and politician breathed his last on Sunday after he was admitted in a clinic in London, the United Kingdom.

“The family of the former president has announced the passing of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin,” Mr Shehu announced on Sunday evening.

The deceased first ruled the country from 1983 to 1985 as a military Head of State, and then elected as a civilian president from 2015 to 2023.

After he left office on May 29, 2023, he moved to the UK and later relocated to Kaduna State from Daura, Katsina.

Some days ago, it was reported that he was ill and was taking treatment in a London health facility. He could not attend the book launch of Mr Shehu on Wednesday in Abuja.

On Friday, Mr Shehu, during a programme, Politics Today, aired on Channels Television and monitored by Business Post, the former presidential spokesperson said his former boss was recuperating in London.

While in office, Mr Buhari was a frequent visitor to the UK for medical treatment.

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