Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to inject more than N80 billion into 40 tertiary institutions under the Renewed Hope Tertiary Agricultural and Entrepreneurship Programme to boost food production, promote agricultural research and create employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this during a meeting with heads of the 40 selected tertiary institutions and the management of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) to discuss the implementation and operationalisation of the initiative.

The programme seeks to harness over 500,000 hectares of underutilised land across participating universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for commercial agricultural production, research and enterprise development.

Alausa explained that the initiative was designed to address the longstanding challenge of underutilised agricultural land in tertiary institutions by providing the financing, machinery, technical expertise and institutional support needed to make farming commercially viable and sustainable.

Under the arrangement, each participating institution is expected to provide approximately 1,000 hectares of land, although institutions with smaller landholdings may also qualify based on the viability of their business proposals.

The minister said each institution would establish a limited liability company to partner with the Bank of Agriculture, which would provide between N1 billion and N2 billion in financing to support agricultural production and related activities.

He disclosed that the programme builds on previous Federal Government interventions through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which had approved agricultural funding support for selected institutions, with some receiving N1 billion and others N2 billion.

Alausa added that the Federal Ministry of Education had also made provision for N20 billion in its capital budget to support 20 tertiary institutions under the agricultural development initiative.

On mechanisation, he said participating institutions would have access to 10 tractors each at significantly reduced costs through the government’s agricultural mechanisation initiative.

Other support would include improved seedlings, farm implements, irrigation equipment, water pumps, fertilisers and technical expertise to enhance productivity and ensure efficient farm operations.

To guarantee markets for agricultural produce, the minister said arrangements would be made with produce aggregator to purchase harvested crops, while measures would also be introduced to minimise post-harvest losses.

He said the initiative was not limited to increasing food production but was also designed to establish a sustainable agricultural value chain, with processing and other agro-allied activities expected to feature in subsequent phases.

According to him, the programme will provide opportunities for students, unemployed graduates, university alumni, academic and non-academic staff, as well as members of host communities to participate in commercial farming.

Their participation, he said, would be supervised by lecturers and agricultural experts to provide practical experience, promote entrepreneurship and enable participants to benefit from the economic returns generated by the farms.

The minister described agriculture and agro-allied businesses as major opportunities for addressing youth unemployment, adding that the programme could attract investments running into trillions of naira in the coming years.

He said the initiative would also reposition tertiary institutions as centres of agricultural innovation, commercial production and enterprise development, rather than institutions relying solely on government funding for their operations.

Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely opportunity to harness the institution’s extensive agricultural research and production capacity.

Ahmed identified the university’s established agricultural ecosystem, which includes the Institute of Agricultural Research, the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services and the Faculty of Agriculture, as a strong foundation for the programme.

He said the partnership would provide the necessary financing and technical support to translate research outcomes into commercial production, strengthen agricultural capacity and create opportunities for students.

Similarly, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr Chioma Irene Awuzie, commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education for the initiative.

She said the programme would enable the institution to maximise the use of its available land through mechanised farming, strengthen agricultural production and ensure that its land resources were put to productive use.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, described the programme as an opportunity to channel sustainable financing into the agricultural potential of tertiary institutions.

He said the bank would provide financing and market linkages to participating institutions while supporting the commercialisation of agricultural research, improved productivity and the creation of opportunities for students and unemployed graduates.

Sotinrin added that the initiative would enable tertiary institutions to contribute to food supply beyond their immediate communities while generating revenue from their agricultural investments.

Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to the programme, Alausa assured that the Federal Ministry of Education would work closely with the Bank of Agriculture, relevant government agencies and participating institutions to ensure effective implementation.

He said the ultimate objective was to translate President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into measurable outcomes through increased agricultural productivity, stronger institutional capacity, youth empowerment and sustainable economic opportunities.

Nigeria has lost over pound 5 million following the rejection of its beans exports by European buyers, former Acting President of the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Kayode Farinto, has said.

Farinto said the rejection of Nigerian beans, despite Ghana’s continued access to the same market, underscored the need for effective pre-shipment inspection to ensure that the country’s exports meet international standards.

He said inadequate packaging and failure to meet required specifications had continued to undermine the competitiveness of Nigerian products in the international market.

According to him, the introduction of effective pre-shipment inspection will help address these challenges by ensuring that export goods are properly examined and certified before leaving the country.

Farinto explained that the process would enable exporters to identify and correct deficiencies before their goods reach their destinations, thereby reducing the risk of rejection by foreign buyers.

He said, ‘They rejected our beans to the tune of over pound 5 million, but they receive beans from Ghana. We can’t export beans to Belgium except through Ghana, and the issue is packaging.’

He added that proper inspection and certification would help Nigerian exporters comply with international best practices and improve confidence in the quality of their products.

Farinto said pre-shipment inspection would also strengthen the country’s export earnings by ensuring that goods meet the specifications agreed upon with foreign buyers.

He explained that the process would involve thorough documentation and due diligence, including the use of commercial banks in export documentation.

He said, the system would provide greater reliability in Nigeria’s export trade and help protect local shippers from losses arising from rejected consignments. ‘They will access your goods before they get to the port of destination. It will go along with experience, and government will get its export in dollars,’he stated.

Farinto added that the policy would be beneficial to the Federal Government, exporters and local shippers, as it would improve the quality of Nigerian exports while supporting the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

He described the proposed inspection system as a win-win arrangement for the government and the private sector, noting that it would help Nigeria maximise the value of its export trade.

He said the system would also ensure that export goods are properly certified before shipment, reducing disputes between Nigerian exporters and their overseas buyers over quality and specifications.

Farinto maintained that effective pre-shipment inspection, backed by proper documentation and compliance with international standards, would improve the acceptability of Nigerian goods in foreign markets and strengthen the country’s position in global trade.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has reported statutory payments of N11.14 trillion to the government between January and September 2026.

This figure underscores the petroleum industry’s contribution to public revenue amid efforts to strengthen the nation’s fiscal position.

The figure, contained in NNPC’s September 2026 Monthly Report Summary, highlights the company’s financial contribution to government revenue over the first nine months of the year.

The report also showed that NNPC generated revenue of N4.608 trillion and recorded a profit after tax of N509 billion, reflecting its financial performance during the period covered by the report.

On the operational front, according to the report, the national oil company reported total hydrocarbon production of 3.04 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, comprising crude oil and condensate production of 1.70 million barrels per day and natural gas output of 7,789 million standard cubic feet per day.

The report further indicated that the availability of upstream pipelines stood at 100 per cent, while the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipeline recorded 100 per cent availability and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline recorded 95 per cent.

These infrastructure developments are expected to support the transportation of natural gas, improve domestic supply and strengthen the country’s gas-based industrialisation drive.

However, the report revealed that petrol availability across NNPC retail stations stood at 54 per cent, suggesting that challenges remain in translating improvements in petroleum infrastructure into consistent product availability at retail outlets.

The NNPC Foundation also highlighted its public impact initiatives, including support for healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto State.

The City Boy Movement (CBM) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday completed its grassroots structures in Lagos State with the inauguration of Ward Executives for Lagos West 1 Senatorial District.

The event, held at Marcelina’s Place, Ikeja, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, drew youth leaders, council chairmen, lawmakers and stakeholders from the 18 local governments and LCDAs in Lagos West 1.

The Movement was established to promote the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In his keynote address, the State Director General of CBM, Lagos State Chapter and Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Barrister Moyosore Ogunlewe, said the inauguration marked the final phase of its structure from state to ward level.

‘This marks the completion of our grassroots structures in Lagos State. It shows the strength and unity of our party.

‘Your presence shows that the City Boy Movement is not parallel to our party, but the initiative of the youths to ensure the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the initiative of Barrister Seyi Tinubu. Our job is to take the message to the grassroots and to counter fake news and misinformation.

‘You are now the ambassadors of the City Boy Movement of Lagos West 1. Be present at our meetings and markets. Mobilise our youths to get their PVCs. We must deliver all our candidates.

‘Respect the party leaders. We have no room for disloyalty and we have zero tolerance for insubordination. Hardwork would also be rewarded. We are setting a new standard for youth groups in Lagos State,’ Ogunlewe said.

In his welcome address, Coordinator of Lagos West 1 and Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo, said the movement’s impact is evident in the disappearance of fuel queues and ASUU strikes.

‘I told him that it is because there is no more fuel queues or strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. People have forgotten how they used to queue at fuel stations during festivities.

‘Everything we are doing as council chairmen is due to what President Bola Tinubu has done for local governments. There is no way a local government would not construct five roads in a year and provide empowerment for the people,’ Adebanjo said.

The Legal Adviser of CBM, Lagos State and lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2, Hon. Ladi Ajomale, charged the new exco members to educate the public.

‘We all have a task to educate ourselves and let the people know what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing for Nigeria. He ended fuel scarcity and ASUU Strike.

‘We all forgot how the Third Mainland Bridge used to be. Now the bridge is okay with CCTV and solar powered light. He is also constructing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Badagry-Sokoto Road. He also brought sanity into the exchange rate system.

‘Those to be inaugurated today should educate, inform, engage and empower the youths and by January 16, 2027, we must ensure that the people vote for President Bola Tinubu,’ Ajomale said.

Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Hon. Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo, described CBM as a national empowerment platform.

‘The movement has evolved past what it used to be. It is now empowering the people all over the country. We have an app that tells you what President Bola Tinubu is doing. The structure is not competing with any other group, it is meant to solidify their base and amplify the works of the President.

‘The Ward Coordinators would be our ambassadors. Let us vote and support all the candidates of the APC and vote Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the next Governor of Lagos State,’ Taiwo added.

Deputy Zonal Coordinator for Lagos West, Hon. Oseni Olabode Ahmed, called the appointment a call to service.

‘We are giving back to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he has done for us. Lagos West 1 is where we generate the largest votes in Lagos State.

‘Nigeria today is different from that of yesterday and Nigeria tomorrow would be better than Nigeria of today. In second term, President Tinubu would place Nigeria on the map of the world. He is a map that others would follow after his tenure, just like he laid down a template in Lagos State,’ Ahmed said.

Deputy Director General, CBM Lagos and lawmaker representing Ifako/Ijaiye Constituency 1, Hon. Temitope Adewale Adedeji, urged focus on polling unit data.

‘We have come to inaugurate the representatives of President Bola Tinubu through Barrister Seyi Tinubu. The future is the youth and it is here. It is the strongest group in our party. Lagos West 1 is the heartbeat of President Bola Tinubu.

‘We must have the data for our wards and polling units. We must have a representative in each polling unit. Beyond the dancing, our responsibility is to go to our ward levels and mobilise the polling units,’ Adedeji said.

Other speakers, including the Chairman of Agege LG, Hon. AbdulGaniyu Obasa; the Chairman of Ojodu LCDA, Hon. David Olusegun Odunmbaku; and the SSA to the President on Industry, Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Ayinde, said the movement must adopt a polling unit strategy and ensure victory for all APC candidates.

State Coordinator, Hon. Sesi Whighan, in his closing remarks, said: ‘Let’s all go out there and spread the gospel of the City Boy Movement and that of the administration and work for the success of the President and that of all the candidates of our party.’

Former Kano Governor and Vice Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has explained why he visited Ile-Epo Market in Alimosho, Lagos.

According to him, he visited the market to promote the Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying he used the visit to brief traders and residents on the proposed political alliance involving the NDC.

He said he urged supporters to remain committed to the campaign and participate actively as voters, mobilisers, polling agents and defenders of the NDC mandate in Lagos and their respective states.

The former governor was accompanied by the NDC governorship candidate in Lagos, Funso Doherty.

Kwankwaso expressed appreciation to traders and residents for their reception and support during the visit.

‘Today, I visited Ile-Epo in Alimosho, Lagos State, to brief our people on the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.

‘In my remarks, I urged them to remain steadfast and to serve as voters, mobilisers, agents, and defenders of the OK and NDC mandate, whether in their home states or here in Lagos.

‘In my company was the Lagos NDC Gubernatorial Candidate, Mr Funso Doherty, and I thank everyone sincerely for their warm support and reception,’ he wrote.

Two persons standing trial over the Independence Day kidnapping of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State have pleaded with the court for forgiveness.

At the resumed sitting on Thursday, the defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, told the High Court of Imo State that they had indeed made the statements and audio-visual confessions tendered before the court by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Under cross-examination, the first and second defendants admitted making the audio-visual confessional statements and thumb-printing the written statements in the presence of their counsel. The materials were subsequently tendered in court by the DSS.

The defendants had earlier, in their evidence-in-chief, pleaded with the court to forgive them and set them free in the case involving conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms.

Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu opened their defence by testifying for themselves, admitting that they voluntarily made the audio-visual and written statements tendered by the DSS and admitted by the court.

The defendants said they made the statements voluntarily and without coercion.

Similarly, the trial of two other defendants accused of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms continued, with a prosecution witness identifying both men as the persons who kidnapped him for ransom in the state on October 4, 2026.

During the trial, the witness told the court that the defendants were the persons who abducted him and demanded ransom for his release.

At the conclusion of Thursday’s proceedings, the trial judge, Justice Emeka Orafu, adjourned both matters to November 6 for continuation.

The court said the defendants would continue their defence, while the prosecution would proceed with presenting its witnesses.

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football after 23 years with Portugal, bringing an end to a career in which he became the country’s most-capped player and record goalscorer.

The 41-year-old confirmed on Thursday that he would hand back Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt and captain’s armband after the November international break.

Ronaldo made 234 appearances for Portugal, scoring a record 146 goals. He captained the country to its first major international trophy at Euro 2016 and also helped them win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

In an emotional farewell message to Portuguese supporters, the Al-Nassr forward reflected on his journey, the people who supported him, his teammates and family, and the significance of representing his country.

He said his international career began in August 2003 and described the decision to retire as one made with both his head and heart.

‘Because, at the end of the day, football is much bigger than a game. Football is about people,’ Ronaldo wrote.

The announcement comes after months of uncertainty over his international future. Ronaldo had considered retiring after the 2026 World Cup but later decided to continue, saying he still believed he could contribute to the national team.

His relationship with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus also came under scrutiny in September after Ronaldo was left as an unused substitute in the 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway. He subsequently left the team’s training camp ahead of the match against Denmark.

Ronaldo later accused Jesus of breaking his word over an agreement on his playing time, describing the situation as a breach of trust. He also apologised to his teammates and supporters for leaving the camp and said he would accept any punishment from the Portuguese Football Federation.

The federation subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings and provisionally suspended him while the matter was investigated.

Despite the controversy, Ronaldo’s international career ends with records that include the most appearances and goals in men’s international football. He also represented Portugal at six World Cups.

Below is Ronaldo’s full letter to Portuguese fans.

‘To the Portuguese people,

‘The day has come to hand back the shirt and the captain’s armband of the national team that belongs to all of us.

‘I never felt that it was exclusively mine, but for 23 years, I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me to stadiums all around the world.

‘Today, the moment has come to pass it on to the future.

‘It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the head alone. They are also made with the heart.

‘I am bringing to an end a journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever.

‘When I look back and think about everything I experienced with the national team, I don’t just see matches, goals, records, or trophies. I see people.

‘I see immigrants who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to Portugal. I see millions of Portuguese people whom I never met personally, but who became part of my life.

‘Because, at the end of the day, football is much bigger than a game. Football is about people.

‘Throughout my entire career with the national team, I always tried to push beyond my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be the best, I wanted to make history.

‘I was always demanding of myself. I always wanted more. I always believed we could go further, and I gave everything I had for this shirt.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday nullified all processes of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that led to the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment in a suit filed by the ADC’s Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, also nullified the emergence of former Senate President David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and others as national officers of the party.

The court further cancelled the nominations of all candidates nominated for the 2027 general elections, on the grounds that they emerged under what it described as the party’s illegal and unlawful leadership.

Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s case, holding that Mark and Aregbesola emerged as leaders of the party through unlawful and illegal means.

The judge held that all actions taken by the Mark-led leadership in the name of the ADC were unlawful and should be nullified.

The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, North-East, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.

Gombe argued that, following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party’s leadership.

He consequently asked the court to invalidate the actions of the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

The plaintiff listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu as defendants in the suit.

Upholding Gombe’s case, Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The court also ordered INEC not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 27, 2025.

Speaking with journalists on the court premises after the judgment, Gombe’s counsel, Lukman Fagbemi, SAN, said the court had nullified all actions taken by the Mark-led party leadership since July 2025. He added that INEC had been ordered not to act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th NEC meeting in 2025.

‘The implication of what we have gotten today is that the court, having reviewed the entire facts of the case, the clear position of the law, the party’s guidelines and constitution, the provisions of the Electoral Act, and the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, found as a fact that they did not emerge through lawful constitutional means and that there were flagrant breaches of all the relevant provisions we have stated.

‘And the implication is that INEC, which has the duty to ensure that this happens in line with Section 223 of the Constitution, has now been ordered not to recognise or act on all the decisions taken at the party’s 99th NEC meeting on July 27, 2025.

‘All the actions taken by the ADC as a party since July 27 to date stand annulled,’ he said.

Another counsel for the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna, SAN, said the judgment followed the determination of the substantive matter, after the Supreme Court directed that the case be returned to the High Court for determination.

He said the judgment left the ADC without candidates for any elective position in the 2027 elections, from the presidency to the governorship, Senate and House of Assembly.

‘You will recall that the interlocutory aspect of this matter went up to the Supreme Court, which directed that we return to the trial court so that the substantive issue could be determined.

‘Today, the substantive issue has been determined: all actions taken by the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC have been declared null and void.

‘As it stands today, the ADC has no candidate, from the presidential level to the House of Assembly, governorship, Senate and all other elective positions, for the 2027 election. They have no representation as it stands today, except if you are from the camp of Nafiu Bala, who is the substantive chairman of the ADC,’ Haruna said.

The Federal Government has outlined the process through which selected poor and vulnerable Nigerian households will receive its ?50,000 cash grant under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI).

The programme, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, is designed to provide financial assistance to vulnerable households struggling with rising living costs.

According to the programme guidelines, the grant will be disbursed directly into beneficiaries’ mobile wallets through designated payment providers, including ALAT, MoMo, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.

The government said the use of mobile wallets would facilitate faster and more transparent payments, with independent verification checks conducted during each disbursement cycle.

How to receive the FG’s ?50,000 grant

The government has outlined four steps through which selected beneficiaries can access the money.

1. Receive an SMS notification

Selected beneficiaries will receive text messages from one of the designated payment providers informing them of their selection for the programme.

2. Confirm participation

Recipients are required to reply YES to the notification to indicate their willingness to participate.

According to the guidelines, beneficiaries must give their consent before any payment can be made.

3. Activate a mobile wallet

After confirming their participation, a mobile wallet will be created and linked to their phone numbers and National Identification Numbers (NIN).

4. Receive and withdraw the money

The ?50,000 grant will be credited to each selected beneficiary’s mobile wallet.

Recipients can access the money through Point of Sale (POS) agents, banks or direct spending from their mobile wallets.

USSD codes for withdrawing the ?50,000 grant

Beneficiaries will receive additional SMS instructions from their respective payment providers after their wallets have been credited.

The government provided the following USSD codes for accessing the funds:

ALAT (Wema Bank): Dial 94523#.

MoMo PSB: Dial 6710#.

NairaGram: Dial 72600#.

OPay: Dial 95520# or use its mobile application.

Moniepoint: Dial 557327# or use its mobile application.

How beneficiaries will be selected

According to the programme guidelines, beneficiaries will be identified through verified national identity records and the National Social Register.

The selection process is designed to identify poor and vulnerable households that meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

The government clarified that individuals cannot independently apply for the grant or pay to secure a place on the beneficiary list.

It also explained that the first batch of beneficiaries would not cover everyone eligible for the intervention, meaning some households may not receive notifications during the initial disbursement.

FG warns Nigerians against fraud

The Federal Government has warned Nigerians against fraudsters seeking to exploit the cash transfer programme by demanding money or sensitive banking information from prospective beneficiaries.

It stressed that participation in the programme is free and that nobody is authorised to collect money to facilitate the release of the ?50,000 grant.

The guidelines identified three ways recipients can recognise genuine programme notifications:

Messages must originate from ALAT, MoMo, NairaGram, OPay or Moniepoint.

Recipients will only be asked to reply YES or dial the designated USSD code of their payment provider.

Genuine messages will never request payment, a Personal Identification Number (PIN), a One-Time Password (OTP) or require recipients to click a link.

The government also cautioned beneficiaries against sharing their PINs, OTPs or passwords with anyone, including payment agents and officials.

It advised recipients to disregard messages from unauthorised senders and contact the programme’s helpline whenever they are uncertain about the authenticity of a notification.

Frequently asked questions about the NERSI ?50,000 grant

What is NERSI?

The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) is a Federal Government programme designed to provide financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerian households affected by rising living costs.

It is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

How much will beneficiaries receive?

Each selected beneficiary will receive ?50,000 directly into their mobile wallet. The government said the full amount would be credited without deductions.

Is the ?50,000 payment a loan?

No. The money is a Federal Government grant, not a loan. Beneficiaries are not required to repay it.

Who is eligible for the cash grant?

Beneficiaries are selected from the National Social Register using verified national identity records.

Individuals cannot independently apply or pay to be included in the list. Those selected will receive SMS notifications from their designated payment providers.

Why was I selected, and how did the government obtain my phone number?

According to the programme guidelines, beneficiaries are identified through information contained in the National Social Register and verified national identity records.

Their phone numbers are obtained from these records and shared with the relevant payment providers for the purpose of disbursing the grant.

The government also stated that beneficiaries’ personal information would be used solely for the programme.

Members of the Association of Participants and Winners of the National Qur’anic Recitation Competition (APWON) have been charged to prioritise the improvement of Qur’an recitation among participants at state and national levels to achieve more international victories.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Osun State chapter’s executives, the National President of APWON, Dr Aliyu Mohammed Tukur, from Zamfara State, also called for greater commitment to the promotion of Qur’anic education and Islamic values.

Represented by the association’s National Director of Education, Professor Faiz Shuaib, from Kaduna State, Tukur charged the newly inaugurated officials to improve the teaching of Qur’an recitation.

He also advised them to organise regular seminars to boost their performance and urged Muslims in Osun State to practise the teachings of the Holy Qur’an.

The newly inaugurated state chairman, Sheikh Muhammad Thanni Dhikrullah Onikunkeu, from Iwo, Osun State, expressed his happiness and pledged that his administration would prioritise improving Qur’an recitation among participants at state and national levels.

He also called on members and stakeholders to support the association.

Also speaking, the Akire of Ikire-Ile, Oba Abdulazeez Olatubosun Adebamiji, stressed the importance of traditional institutions in the development of Islamic education in society.

He encouraged young participants not to limit themselves to Qur’an recitation alone but also to practise its teachings.

The newly inaugurated state officials are: Chairman: Sheikh Muhammad Thanni Dhikrullah Onikunkeu, Vice-Chairman: Dr Yaqub Abdul Hameed, General Secretary: Sheikh Abdulwaheed Olalekan, Assistant Secretary: Sheikh Abubakar Imran Monlaasan, Financial Secretary: Sheikh Fadhillah Shittu, Treasurer: Sheikh Abdullahi Fasaasi, Public Relations Officer I: Sheikh Abdulazeez Ademola, Public Relations Officer II: Sheikh Kamorudeen Kadiri

The chairman, Sheikh Dhikrullah Onikunkeu, appreciated everyone who attended the inauguration, including the National General Secretary of APWON and Ogun State chairman, Sheikh Rifat Kolawole Abdulsalam; President of the Osun Muslim Community, Sheikh Mustopha Olawuyi; the Imam and Coordinator of the Osun State NURCC, Sheikh Al-Imam Musa Oladapo Raji; members of the organising committee; Qur’an recitation participants; the association’s patrons and matrons; and Islamic scholars.

The inauguration, held at the Osun State Muslim Community Secretariat, Surulere area, Osogbo, brought together representatives of the association’s National Executive Council from different states, Islamic scholars and Qur’an recitation participants.