Dr. Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has stated that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government is developing a strategy to lift 50 million people out of poverty over the next 42 months.
Edu emphasized that Tinubu is purposeful in implementing various poverty reduction programs to assist the country’s disadvantaged.
She made the remarks during an interview on Channel 4’s Politics Today on Thursday.
The minister noted that the efforts will be shared by her ministry and other concerned ministries and that the combined efforts will assure the country’s economic prosperity.
She said, “We are drawing out a strategy to be able to get 50 million people out of poverty within 42 months. Now, that is not just going to be the job of my ministry to do. There is going to be an inter-sectorial collaboration with other ministries, for instance, the Ministry of Trade and Industries. Of course, they have the SMEs, and the president has provided some loans for people doing small businesses across the nation.
“Government is very intentional. President Bola Tinubu is someone who cares about the poor and the vulnerable in society. He does all within his power to ensure that the pain is taken away from Nigerians.
“There are different strategies. We are working with international partners and the World Bank. What is at the back of our minds is that 50 million people would be pulled out of poverty in 42 months.”
The minister also stated that the Tinubu-led federal government has resumed payments to N-Power program recipients.
She disclosed that the arrears payment to beneficiaries, which began on Wednesday (yesterday), will continue until the last person is paid.
“Presently, a payment for N-Power is ongoing; we were in the office yesterday up until the early hours of this morning, just to ensure that young people get monies that they have been owed from the last government.
“So, N-Power beneficiaries across the nation, I am sure you can attest to the fact that you are seeing your money in your accounts, and this process will continue until the last person who indeed has served is being paid.
“And of course, all of this is being restructured to ensure that we reduce unemployment and create jobs for Nigerians,” Edu said.
