Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups Receives Approval and Faces Unfounded Criticism

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has expressed concern over the circulation of a memo approving the sum of N585,189,500.00 for the Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups in four states. The memo was sent to the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the funds are intended for implementation in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states.

In response to the circulating information, the Ministry pointed out a connection between the recent smear campaign against the Honourable Minister, Dr Betta Edu, and her efforts to expose the ongoing 44.8 Billion Fraud in NSIPA. Disgruntled elements are attempting to link the Minister to a phantom fraud, but the Ministry dismisses these allegations as baseless and part of a broader misadventure.

The approved funds are part of the federal government's social intervention schemes, with GVG (Grant for Vulnerable Groups) already launched in Kogi and later in Akwa Ibom and Cross River in December 2023. The Ministry plans to launch the program in Ogun and Lagos in the coming weeks, and recipients from Kogi have reportedly testified to its positive impact.

The Ministry invites the general public to recognize the Renewed Hope Grant as a crucial initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable groups. Despite the attempts to tarnish the Minister's reputation, it emphasizes her dedication and unbiased commitment to her duties. The Minister has actively visited various parts of the country in the past five months to fulfill her mandate and ensure effective implementation of social intervention programs.

Signed by Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister, the statement urges the public to disregard the circulated memo's misrepresentation and emphasizes the Minister's unwavering dedication to her responsibilities.

Date: 05/01/2024