December 26, (THEWILL) – The Cross River State Governor Senator Bassey Otu says he is confident President Tinubu can lift fifty million Nigerians out of poverty.
Governor Otu stated this at the Millennium Park in Calabar while flagging off the donation of grants to some vulnerable groups in the southern senatorial district of the state.
Flagging off the initiative, Gov. Bassey Otu said in his life, he had never seen a government so magnanimous as the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the nation’s economy and its future are secured in the hands of the President and also said that in line with what the President is doing, key sectors of the State’s economy will be revived in no distant time.
“No government has ever moved fifty million people out of poverty but I am sure President Tinubu will do it.
“Many people said the President is not a Christian but today, we know better as he has decided to make the Christmas celebration more joyful for the people.
“With the way the government speaks on the economics of the nation, it means the future of the nation is secured.
“For Cross River, we are looking into all key sectors from agriculture, security and tourism and in no distant time the state will be a toast of all the other states in the nation,” he said.
He assured residents of the State, who are physically challenged, that his administration would not segregate them as they have a separate commission to handle their issues.
Also Speaking, Dr. Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, said the event was symbolic as it was a flag-off of the renewed hope agenda of the President in Cross River.
Edu said the President was closely working with the Governor of Cross River to move residents of the State, who were living below the poverty line, out of poverty.
“While the Federal Government has so many initiatives such as the farmer money, trader money, conditional cash transfer in which 3.5 million Nigerians have benefitted across the board, we also have the end hunger programme that will be launched in January, the skill acquisition programme among others. All I ask for at the state level is for the state to key fully to the centre,” she said.
She appealed to residents of Cross River to support the Governor of the State to enable him to effectively continue from where the previous administration in the State stopped, adding that the grant will soon be extended to other parts of the State.
On her part, Mrs Eyoanwan Otu, Wife of the Cross River State Governor, said the initiative would make a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals in the State.
According to her, “The grants for the vulnerable programme will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals in Cross River State. Your collective efforts have inspired hope and brought much-needed relief to those who need it most, especially in a time like this.”
While thanking the President and his wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, she implored beneficiaries to put the grant to good use.
Also speaking, Thalia Olonite Apalowo, the National Programme Manager, Grant for the Vulnerable Groups, said the programme is one of the largest humanitarian programmes in Africa with thousands of people being added annually.
Atim Bassey, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the President and the Governor for remembering them at a time like this.
She said it has boosted his confidence in the administration of President Tinubu and Governor Otu and hoped 2024 will be a better year for all Nigerians.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
