HILL Spring MEDIA

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala refuses to pair with Atiku Abubakar as vice president for the 2023 election.

It's reported, that Atiku Abubakar pleaded with madam Okonjo to take the exalted post, but Okonjo blatantly told Atiku that she won't play second fiddle, besides power ought to go South East.

Wasting your vote is another polite way of giving winning to the bad eggs. Nobody is perfect. Just choose the lesser evil over the higher one and vote rightly come 2023.......shikena 👌

Dangote trailer crushes fully loaded bus along Otukpo road, all passengers feared dead__idomavoice

May 10, 2022

A bus with plate number ABC 878SZ (Abuja) loaded from Ugbokolo to Abuja just had a head on collision with a full load of Dangote cement truck going towards Enugu along Otukpo/Enugu express way

14 passengers already confirmed dead at the time of filing this report.

Shockingly, the truck driver is nowhere to be found.

Eyewitnesses reports that, the bus was being checked by the police before the truck rammed into it.

Body of young woman found dumped on road in Jos

May 2, 2022

A young lady identified as Francisca Choji has been found dead in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

The co**se of the young woman said to be in her early 20s, was found dumped at Rayfield Resort area of Jos South on Sunday night, May 1.

Ms Choji described herself as a "dancer, model, singer, and actress" in her Facebook bio.

Details of the incident are still sketchy at the time of filing this report, however, LIB gathered that the deceased was a resident of Cabon, Gada Biyu in Plateau State.

The incident happened few months after the murder of two young women, Plangnan Solomon and Jennifer Anthony, a 300 level student of the University of Jos, UNIJOS.

Meanwhile, friends of the deceased have taken to social media to mourn her. One Kenny Joy, wrote:

"If we had the courage to question God we will ask him just one word which is"why"but it is not in our place to do so, he knows all that, I still can't live with this but then I have no choice, we miss and will always miss you rest on and let you cold body fight for your death if truly, your life was taken my man. And if not then it's a rest in peace and God have mercy on your beloved soul Doris mafeng, choji (Francisca) Good night mummy."

Ahead of the APC governorship primaries in Kebbi State, AGF_Abubakar Malami has shared 30 Mercedes Benz GLK and 20 Toyota Prado to Kebbi State Party Exco and delegates.

As required by the Nigeria electoral act, Malami, an appointee of the APC led administration has not officially resigned as the attorney general.

Jonathan gives condition to join APC as NWC considers waivers for newcomers

Apr 23, 2022

Former President Goodluck Jonathan will only be joining the All Progressives Congress presidential race on the condition that he is endorsed by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.),Saturday PUNCHhas learnt.

Anything short of this would not be acceptable to Jonathan who served as deputy governor, governor, Vice-President and President on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party from 1999 and 2015.

Saturday PUNCH had reported in February that some northern emirs had reached out to the former President, asking him to contest. Jonathan had also stayed away from activities of the PDP, including the last national convention.

Former Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State had also stated that it was unlikely that Jonathan was still a member of the PDP as he was no longer involved in the party’s activities.

On Thursday, however, posters of the ex-President flooded the national secretariat of the APC on Blantyre Street, Wuse 2.

On Friday, youth and women groups demonstrated outside of Jonathan’s office in the Maitama area of Abuja.

The demonstrators, who arrived in five large buses, held up placards some of which read, ‘Jonathan, Please Run’, ‘Jonathan, do the needful’, ‘Jonathan for 2023’, ‘Jonathan Declare Now’ and ‘Goodluck Please Come Back, We Love You’.

A spokesman for the group, Mayor Samuel, who is also the Convener of the Youth Compatriots of Nigeria, said, “We were deceived and brainwashed by those who claimed they could do it in 2015.

“Now, we know better, under Jonathan the minimum wage could buy one or two bags of rice. What do we have today? We are begging President Jonathan to forgive us, we have realised our mistakes; we want him back to complete what he started.”

Jonathan subsequently invited the leaders of the protesters for a private meeting. After the brief meeting, the ex-President addressed the demonstrators outside, advising the youths to run for office instead, adding that the constitution had been amended as far back as 2018 in order to give youths a chance to contest.

The ex-President said he was not sure if he would run. He, however, asked them to ‘watch out’.

“Yes you are calling me to come and declare for the next election, I cannot tell if I’m declaring. The political process is ongoing just watch out. The key role you must play is that Nigeria must get somebody that will carry young people along,” the former President added.

However, a top source in the APC told Saturday PUNCH that the former President was seeking an assurance that he would be handed the party’s Presidential ticket.

The APC chieftain, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Jonathan has already been President before. So, the APC cannot offer him anything except the Presidential ticket. Imagine him contesting against Osinbajo and Tinubu and losing? Wouldn’t that be disgraceful?

“So, he has made his position clear. If he is to come to the APC, he must be given the assurance that he will be given the party’s ticket. That is his demand.”

The source added that the former President may be sold as a “compromise candidate” amid the raging zoning debate in the country.

“Jonathan is the only Nigerian alive that can promise to serve only one Presidential term and abide by it because he is limited by the constitution. If he serves one term, then power returns to the North. It is also not an easy decision but I can assure you that President Buhari will have no qualms with a Jonathan Presidency,” he added.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that the APC National Working Committee would give special waivers to select aspirants based on the powers conferred on it by the National Executive Committee.

Section 31.3 of the new APC constitution titled ‘waiver’, reads in part, “Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may, in special circumstances, grant a waiver to a person seeking a national party office, who is otherwise not qualified under this constitution if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the party.

“Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may, in special circumstances, grant a waiver to a person seeking the office of President, Vice President, governor, deputy governor, senator, member of the House Representatives, who is otherwise not qualified under this constitution if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the party.”

The Nigerian constitution and the Electoral Act state that anyone contesting a presidential election must be a member of a political party which will sponsor him as a candidate. However, both the constitution and the Electoral Act do not prohibit non-party members from participating in a primary.

However, a member of the party’s NEC told Saturday PUNCH that waivers would be on a case-by-case basis.

Jonathan’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, did not respond to calls.

Funeral of Chinelo Megafu, medical doctor killed in Abuja-Kaduna train attack

Apr 21, 2022

The remains of medical doctor, Chinelo Megafu, who was killed in the Abuja-Kaduna train attack of March 28 2022, were committed to mother earth today April 21st.

The funeral service was held at the Shepherdhill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos while her body was laid to rest in a private cemetery.

Chinelo had taken to Twitter to ask people to pray for her during the attack. Many Nigerians did not believe her and even called her a liar. Hours later, her friends confirmed that she was killed during the attack.

Chinelo was 27 years old and was about to relocate from Nigeria when she met her untimely death.

Aisha Buhari Invites Presidential Aspirants To Dinner, Directing Them To Come Without Phones

Apr 21, 2022

Aisha Buhari

Major Aspirants aiming for the presidency of Nigeria in the different political parties have been invited for a Ramadan dinner with the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, on Saturday, April 23.

According to a copy of the invitation card currently trending on social media, the presidential aspirants are expected to present their invitation cards at the gate of the venue otherwise they may be turned back.

They were also instructed to leave their phones behind when coming for the dinner.

“Please, bring this card with you. Phones are not allowed,” stated the invite.

But according to The PUNCH, this directive will not apply to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governors and Ministers who are expected to be at the meeting.

The spokesperson of the First Lady, Aliyu Abdullahi, who confirmed the meeting said, “There is nothing here. This is a standard operational protocol in the Villa when you are having a meeting with either of the three occupants of the Presidency.

“If they are coming for an event, this is supposed to be DSS enforced when the president is having an event or the Vice President is having an event or the first lady is having an event. Because outsiders will come. That’s the security and standard protocol.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) currently has about 8 presidential aspirants.

The APC has the following aspirants so far: Former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, Ex-Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu; Ex-governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha; Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

Those who have declared for the exalted position on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) include the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; Nwachukwu Anakwenze; Dele Momodu; Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; Investment banker and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, Peter Obi, Udom Emmanuel and Sam Ohuabunwa.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim and the Governors of Bauchi and Akwa Ibom States, Bala Mohammed and Udom Emmanuel, have also declared to contest under the PDP.

BREAKING: Officers Feared Dead As NAF Aircraft Reportedly Crashes In Kaduna

Apr 19, 2022

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) trainer aircraft has crashed in Kaduna, Kaduna State on Tuesday evening, a report by Leadership newspaper stated.
Sources said the two pilots onboard are feared dead.

The source told LEADERSHIP that the Super Mushak, which is trainer aircraft, crashed in Kaduna while on a training mission.
The aircraft, according sources, crashed inside a NAF facility in Kaduna State.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, did not respond BREAKING: Officers Feared Dead As NAF Aircraft Reportedly Crashes In Kaduna
LegitApr 19, 2022Read original
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) trainer aircraft has crashed in Kaduna, Kaduna State on Tuesday evening, a report by Leadership newspaper stated.
Sources said the two pilots onboard are feared dead.

The source told LEADERSHIP that the Super Mushak, which is trainer aircraft, crashed in Kaduna while on a training mission.
The aircraft, according sources, crashed inside a NAF facility in Kaduna State.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, did not respond to enquires by LEADERSHIP to confirm the incident.

TheCable has also reported the development but noted that details of the incident are still sketchy.

The newspaper stated that the incident involved a training aircraft which had two pilots on board. enquires by LEADERSHIP to confirm the incident.

TheCable has also reported the development but noted that details of the incident are still sketchy.

The newspaper stated that the incident involved a training aircraft which had two pilots on board.

FG in dialogue with abductors of Kaduna-Abuja train passengers – Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government has opened a channel of discussion with terrorists who abducted passengers on a Kaduna-Abuja bound train in March. 2022.

DAILY POST recalls that bandits attacked the train, killed eight persons and abducted scores.

The bandits had threatened to kill all the victims if the federal government failed to negotiate with them.

However, nine days after the attack, the terrorists released the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Hassan, after an alleged N100 million ransom.

Speaking with journalists in Kaduna on Friday, relatives and friends of the abducted passengers said they have been assured by the Federal Government that a channel of discussion with the terrorists has been opened.

“After the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, we heard from the Federal Government through the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed that the government is in dialogue. That government is already discussing with the abductors of our relatives,” said Dr Jimoh Fatai, who has been designated as chairman of the group pressing for the release of their loved ones.

“We are happy about it, we note it, we acknowledge it and we appreciate the efforts of the government in that regard. What we are now appealing for is that government should speed up the process,” he said

Money ritual: Young man kills his girlfriend in Lagos, sleeps with her co**se for six days in line with native doctor's directive

Lindaikejisblog__Apr 12, 2022

The Lagos state police command has arrested a young man identified as Ifeanyi Njoku for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Precious Okeke, 24, in an estate at Badore, in the Ajah area of Lagos State.

The live-in lovers stayed on Oke Street and it was alleged that Njoku killed his girlfriend for ritual purposes.

It was also alleged that a native doctor who was assisting the suspect, instructed him to have s*x with Okeke’s co**se.

The suspect carried out the bizarre act for six days but was busted after the stench emanating from his apartment prompted his neighbours to inform the management of the estate.

An eyewitness told Punch ;
“The boy killed his girlfriend about six days ago, and he confessed that he wanted to use the girl for money rituals. He said he was told that he should have s*x with his girlfriend’s co**se for seven days, but he was caught on the sixth day. Today (Monday) is supposed to make it the seventh day.

“The smell of the co**se had been disturbing neighbours in the compound and other residents. So, they called the estate chairman to help in confirming what was going on in the apartment and while searching the apartment, they found the girl’s body.

“The boy was arrested and taken to the Lamgbasa Police Station and during interrogation, he confessed that he killed his girlfriend six days ago.

“We learnt that the boy offered N6m to kill the case; we also learnt that he brought the girlfriend from the village and they just moved into the estate.”

The state police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the incident, adding that the deceased and the suspect were lovers.

Hundeyin said;

“Two suspects, Ifeanyi Njoku and Mbam Atunmufor, 36, have been arrested. They have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, for further investigation. Njoku was the one that rented the apartment.”

Suspected Yahoo Boy Dies After Money Rituals In Ogun

Allnews___Apr 9, 2022

A suspected internet fraudster, Peter Albert died shortly after he underwent money rituals in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State about three weeks ago.
The 20-year-old suspected internet fraudster had longed for the good things of life but lacked the means to acquire them.

To achieve his desires, he sought the counsel of one of his friends, an 18-year-old simply identified as David, who introduced him to a Muslim cleric, Alfa Araokanmi, for a money-making ritual that eventually terminated his life instead of transforming him into an overnight millionaire as assured by Araokanmi.

"Albert, who lived with his father in the Asore area of Atan, and his friend, David, who lives with his parents at Iju, both in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have been friends for a long time and attend the same church.

"Exasperated by his unsuccessful rounds in internet scams, Albert reportedly asked David to help him become successful at internet scams.

"He had craved success as a Yahoo Boy.

"David allegedly attributed Albert’s poor outing in cybercrime to some spiritual problems, and he promised to link him with his spiritualist, Araokanmi, to whom he attributed his success as a cyber fraudster. David explained to Albert that there was more to his success than meets the eye and that Alfa Araokanmi was behind his fortune in an internet scam.

"Thus David introduced Albert to Araokanmi aka Alfa Wa in the Iju area of Ado-Odo/Ota LGA. “David linked the boy (Peter Albert) to one Alfa Araokanmi, who promised to do some propitiation that would make the boy become a successful internet fraudster.

“They started chatting on Whatsapp until the boy later visited Alfa Araokanmi for some money rituals leading to his untimely death,” an anonymous source revealed.

Expatiating further, the source said that Araokanmi told the deceased that he would ingest concoctions and bath at midnight for some days after which he should expect a ghost that would give him a sum of N5 million every day.

Popular gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu is dead

Pmnewsnigeria___Apr 8, 2022

Popular Gospel artiste, Sister Osinachi Nwachukwu has passed away, multiple reports indicated.

The angelic-voiced lady died early today after a protracted illness.

The cause of death was said to be throat cancer.

Osinachi, who sang in Igbo, was famous for the hit song Ekwueme by Prospa Ochimana, released in 2017.

She featured in songs like “Nara Ekele” by Pastor Paul Enenche (Dunamis, Abuja), “You no dey use me play” by Emma

She was also a minister of God and producer of Christian worship music.

Her last release was in September last year, when she released Ikem, God of Power.

Her family was yet to issue a statement on her death.

She is survived by her husband Peter and four children.

She was the twin sister of “Amarachi Grace Eze, who is also a powerful singer

Lord of the Rings director, Peter, Rihanna, JAYZ, joins Forbes billionaire list

April 7, 2022

Pregnant Rihanna and Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson joined Forbes Billionaires for the first time

The announcement was made by the United States-based magazine Forbes released its 2022 billionaire ranking the pregnant popstar at 1729 and the director at 1929 on the list.

Nairamtrics also added that the billionaires on the Forbes list are collectively worth $12.7 trillion and regardless of all the existing factors some billionaires are richer than they were last year and Forbes even included 236 newcomers in the billionaire list.

Lord of the Rings director attained billionaire status in November 2021 after he sold part of his Weta digital film effects shop to Unity software for 1.6 billion dollars in cash and stock.

Also, his world-famous movies franchises Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit have grossed 6 billion dollars worldwide.

“Umbrella” crooner, Rihanna is valued at 1.7 billion dollars majorly accredited to the success of her cosmetics line Fenty Beauty which she co-owns with French luxury retailer, LVMH. The cosmetics line generated more than $550 million in 2021.

She also owns a 30% stake in the Savage x Fenty lingerie line, which raised money at a 1 billion dollars (£765 million) valuation in February 2021.

Hip-hop mogul, JAY-Z, who is not new to the list, follows at No. 2,076 with a net worth of $1.4 billion which includes his Roc Nation empire and the 2021 sales of his Armand de Brignac champagne to LVMH and TIDAL to Square, Inc.

Other celebrities that made it to the list this year include rapper and music producer, Kanye West valued at 2 billion dollars thanks to his lucrative fashion brands and a multi-year deal to design his trainer brand Yeezy for Adidas.

Ye’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, also makes the list at No. 1,645, jumping 1,000 spots from her 2021 position. Her $1.8 billion net worth is due in part to the success of her cosmetics and shapewear empire.

According to Forbes, the top 5 includes Warren Buffet (No. 5, $118 billion), Bill Gates (No. 4, $129 billion), Bernard Arnault (No. 3, $158 billion), Jeff Bezos (No. 2, $171 billion), and Elon Musk, who tops the list for the first time with $219 billi

BREAKING: President Buhari appoints new Minister of Environment

Apr 6, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mohammed Abdullahi as Nigeria’s new Minister for Environment.

The President approved Abdullahi’s appointment on Wednesday.

A statement from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha confirmed the appointment. The appointment takes effect immediately.

Abdullahi was the minister of state for science, technology and innovation.

I’m in deep mourning – Goodluck Jonathan gives details on accident

Apr 6, 2022

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has explained how his two of his aides died in a road crash on Wednesday.

DAILY POST reported that Jonathan escaped death after he was involved in an auto crash on his way from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ikechukwu Eze, said the former President mourning the two police officers who lost their lives described the incident as painful and heart-rending,

Jonathan disclosed that two other officers who sustained injuries are responding to treatments at the hospital.

He added that the deceased, Inspectors Ibrahim Abazi and Yakubu Toma, were fine officers, who were dedicated to their duties and service to the nation.

Part of the statement reads, “Two other officers sustained injuries in the accident which involved a car conveying the security men.

“They were rushed to hospital in Abuja where they are responding to treatment.”

Jonathan sent condolences to the families of the bereaved and the police high command.

The former President prayed to God to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and bless their families and the nation with the fortitude to bear the loss.

BREAKING: Goodluck Jonathan escapes death, 2 aides die in auto crash__Dailypost

Apr 6, 2022

Former Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday evening, escaped death after he was involved in an auto crash in Abuja.

The accident claimed the lives of two of his aides, Leadership reports.

One of his aides was quoted as saying that the former president was fine and back home.

The accident reportedly happened while Jonathan was on his way from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to his residence in Abuja.

FG uncover over 1,500 federal workers with fake appointment letters

Apr 5, 2022

1,500 workers who joined the Federal civil service with fake appointment letters in the past year have been uncovered by the federal government.

While over 1,000 culprits were discovered in one ministry, 500 others found in other ministries, departments and agencies during a service-wide verification exercise. They will now be delisted from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.

This was disclosed by Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, in her keynote address at the ‘National Policy Dialogue on Entrenching Transparency in Public Office Recruitment in Nigeria,’ organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, in Abuja on Tuesday April 5.

Esan said;

“It would be recalled that in March last year, the office informed of the detection of fake letters of employment presented in some ministries. For instance, in the past year, in one ministry alone, over 1,000 individuals bearing fake letters of appointment were detected.

“In the light of the aforementioned, it is disheartening to point out that the office recently received a report from the Federal Civil Service Commission forwarding the names of over 500 persons in various MDAs in possession of fake letters of appointment and which are to be delisted from the IPPIS platform.

“Similarly, following the outcome of the Service-Wide Verification Exercise for officers recruited from 2013 – 2020, the Federal Civil Service Commission has also requested the suspension of the salaries of over 3,000 officers across the MDAs who failed to appear for the exercise pending further clearance.”

She further revealed that as at March 2022, over 380,000 officers had been captured on the IPPIS payroll comprising 66,000 and 320,000 for core and non-core MDAs, respectively.

Esan also disclosed that her office is carrying out a mop-up exercise in the core and non-core MDAs which would be rounded off in September.

Comparing the Federal civil service to the Indian civil service, the HoS stated that the Indian public service recruits only competent workers, while the Nigerian system is based on federal character principles and nepotism.

BREAKING: Sheikh Nuru Khalid sacked

Apr 4, 2022

The chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Juma’at Mosque in Abuja, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, has been sackdd by the mosque’s steering committee for criticising President Muhammadu Buhari over the last Monday night’s attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the Imam, in his Friday sermon, had criticised President Buhari for failure to visit Kaduna over the terrorist attack, saying mere condemnation wasn’t enough.

He argued that the president was in Kaduna for campaigns but refused to visit the state after the bomb attack on the passenger train.

Initially, Sheikh Khalid was suspended. But on Monday afternoon, mosque’s steering committee declared him sacked. They ascribed their latest decision to him not showing remorse.

Two million people’ll start receiving N20bn monthly from June-FG

Apr 4, 2022

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq

Two million people will start receiving about N20bn from June this year as basic cash transfers and conditional cash transfers under the National Cash Transfer Programme, the Federal Government has said.

It was gathered that the Federal Government would pay the two million people N5,000 each under the basic cash transfer and an additional N5,000 under the conditional cash transfer. This implies that the government would be spending N20bn on the beneficiaries.

A March 2022 document on the strategic roadmap and activities of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday, showed that the number of people receiving cash transfers from the government had been increasing.

The report stated that in 2018, a total of 19 states were covered under the National Cash Transfer Programme, as this increased to 24 states in 2019 and moved up to 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2022, covering 1.6 million people.

But the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, stated in the document that the number would increase further in June. Under the cash transfer scheme, the Federal Government supports poor and vulnerable households with cash on a monthly basis.

“By June 2022 we would be paying two million people N5,000 basic cash transfer and an additional N5,000 on conditional cash transfers, which is conditioned on good health-seeking/behaviour, school retention, and good water and hygiene conditions in their environment/homes,” Farouq stated.

She explained that the ministry designed and piloted a shock-responsive social register, called the Rapid Response Register to capture urban poor informal workers, who were daily wage earners, working across towns and cities, and impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown.

The minister said, “To date, of this one million targeted by the government, we have been able to pay the sum of N5000 to 850,000 beneficiaries digitally through the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, where each account is carefully validated by the system before payment.

“150,000 will be paid by the end of April 2022. Each of these beneficiaries is receiving six months of support in cash.”

Under the National Social Register, the ministry stated that 46 million persons in the 36 states and FCT, in 11 million households, had been registered as of 2022.

The ministry stated that the N-Power volunteer scheme provided temporary job opportunities for 498,602 graduates under Batches A and B, while 450,000 graduates under Batch C Stream 1 were also engaged.

It added that 390,000 others were being onboarded for Batch C Stream 2, and that there was presidential approval to enroll additional one million beneficiaries.

It further stated in the document that 174 of the 1,850 mobile agents trained, kitted, and registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria – Shared Agents Network Expansion Facility for agency banking achieved a transaction volume of over N657m between January 1 and March 25, 2022.

“The top 10 mobile money agents executed transactions totaling N300,095,545.06 and earned N1,852,499.00 between January and March 25, 2022,” the ministry stated.

The report indicated that 9.8 million pupils were being fed daily under the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, while 127,000 cooks had been engaged and 98 aggregators were supplying various protein products.

The school feeding programme is one of the four clusters of the National Social Investment Programme which seeks to provide one free daily meal to pupils on the programme.

The NHGSFP is designed as a collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments. The Federal Government is responsible for the release of funds, guidelines, policies, and monitoring.

The state carries out the day-to-day implementation including procurement of food items, and selection of cooks and vendors who prepare, cook, and serve the meals to the pupils.