Economy
Ministry trains stakeholders in development of cash assistance policy
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development has flagged off a three-day training for the Development of Cash and Voucher Assistance Policy.
The exercise was carried out by the Minister, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq on Wednesday in Abuja.
In a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the Minister speaking at the opening ceremony noted that the training is aimed at educating stakeholders in the use of Cash and Voucher Assistance towards the development of a national policy.
The Minister who was represented by the Director Humanitarian Affairs Department, Alhaji Ali Grema said participants will be exposed to ideas on the use of Cash and Voucher Assistance and to strategically position them to identify, design and develop an inclusive national policy that will strengthen the institutional capacity and operational environment of Cash and Voucher Assistance in Nigeria.
The said “It is a known fact that today Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) is rapidly expanding modalities for the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Nigeria. In 2019 alone, 39 partners implemented CVA across 38 out of 61 Local Government Areas in the BAY states and this has continued to multiply in various parts of Nigeria.
“In the next three days, the stakeholders gathered here who were carefully selected in line with their mandates and relevance in the operation of CVA in Nigeria will be sharing ideas and information geared towards having a common understanding of the operating terminologies and practices associated with CVA. This will strategically prepare us to carry out the assignment of elaborating the National Cash and Voucher Assistance in Nigeria”.
Earlier, the OCHA Head of Office Trond Jenson said that one of the 7-point agenda of the Minister to strengthen the humanitarian environment in the Northeast and by extension all parts of Nigeria was the development of a National policy to strengthen the operating environment for Cash and Voucher Assistance in Nigeria.
“The National CVA policy (NCVA) is expected to complement the Humanitarian Response Plan HRP, provide clarity on the use of CVA to meet needs among the poor and vulnerable and improve the operational environment for CVA uptake by overcoming bureaucratic bottlenecks. The policy is also expected to support commitments, already enshrined in other national policies i.e. the recently approved National IDP policy, facilitate financial inclusion and access to social protection among target groups”he noted.
In her remarks, the Regional Programme Officer of the World Food Programme Natasha Frosina explained that training of stakeholders will in turn ensure accountability and transparency in the disbursement and movement of donor funds especially to the North East.
“We see Cash and Voucher Assistance as a way to empower these beneficiaries to meet their needs in the best way they deem fit.
“When we invest money through cash transfer, the beneficiaries are able to spend that money directly in the local markets, putting the money back into the hands of the people and the local producers themselves. It empowers them to decide what their needs are and not what we think their needs are”.
The workshop brought together most of the key actors and donors including UNICEF, UNOCHA, WFP, UNCHR, INGO and also provides a coordinated framework on how to deliver support to the beneficiaries.
Economy
Ogunjimi promises to collaborate with ex-Accountants-General in taking treasury house to greater heights
The newly appointed Accountant General
of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen B. Ogunjimi said he would collaborate and tap from the wealth of experiences of all Former Accountants -General of the Federation to bring the nation treasury to a greater height.
Mr Ogunjimi disclosed this while receiving two Former Accountants-General of the Federation, Dr John Naiyeju and Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo in his office in Abuja.
Speaking earlier, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo suggested the upgrading of the Treasury Academy, Orozo owned by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to a Degree (University) awarding Institute.
Also, Dr. John K. Naiyeju charged the new Accountant-General to carry along everyone and advised him to make staff welfare his priority.
In a related development, the Accountant-General of the Federation expressed his willingness to work with all professional organisation that will bring positive development to the nation, especially, his professional and Academy colleagues of the doctorate class.
Mr Ogunjimi called on his classmates to come up with ideas and suggestions that will enhance the management of the nation’s treasury that will positively affect the economy development.
In his remarks, the Chairman Forum of Doctorate Students, Ibrahim Aliyu said that they were in Treasury House to congratulate one of their own and assured him of their support towards his successful tenure.
The Accountant General of the Federation, Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last week has assumed office on Monday.
In a brief ceremony marking his assumption at the Treasury Office in Abuja, he promised to be fair to staff of the office which he said, they would not be intimidated or victimized during his tenure of office.
In his maiden address to the entire staff of the Office of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, he called for unity, professionalism and commitment in order to achieve the objectives of the office.
He recalled how he suffered victimisaton in hands of previous Chief Executives where he worked, he promised that it would not be the case as he was elevated as the Accountant General of the Federation.
He said: “It is good to be back, this is our home, nobody will drive us out. I want everybody to have the spirit of togetherness.
“I am not in any group, I am not going to polarize the house.
“If I fail, everyone here has failed. I am ready to commit myself to the service of the public.”
The Accountant General called on staff to let the past go and forge a new spirit in order to move the office forward for the good of the nation and the current administration.
“During my interview for this job, when I was asked what I would do differently to change the image of the Treasury House, I wanted to put the question back to you.
“What will you do differently to correct the image of the OAGF? The question is to all staff members.
“Everyone of us must work to change the perception of the country’s treasury.
“I have been a victim of the chief executive officer firing directors he or she doesn’t like.
He assured the staff of the Treasury House of cooperation they haven’t seen in their lifetime professional career, saying, ‘I don’t like him. Please remove him’, I am not going to be that leader,” he said.
CAPITAL POST recalled that President Bola Tinubu last week approved the appointment of had last week approved the appointment of Mr Babatunde Ogunjimi as the country’s new Accountant General thereby putting to rest the guesswork of who should be the next occupier of the Treasury House.
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced plans to launch a nationwide sensitization campaign to promote the adoption of Made-in-Nigeria products, highlighting the transformative impact of locally engineered innovations on the nation’s economy.
As part of the initiative, the agency is organizing strategic focus group meetings across the six geopolitical zones of the country to galvanize support for indigenous products.
Speaking at the North Central zonal meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the Coordinator, Implementation and Management Office (IMO) of NASENI, Yusuf Kasheem, emphasized the importance of supporting local products to drive economic growth.
“When Nigerians embrace the initiative, we do more than purchase goods—we invest in our future. We create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce our reliance on imported alternatives,” Kasheem said.
He further highlighted that the widespread adoption of locally made products is a step toward a stronger, more self-sufficient Nigeria.
Kasheem reiterated NASENI’s dedication to leveraging technology and innovation to boost national prosperity.
“In just over a year, through strategic partnerships both locally and internationally, NASENI has introduced 35 commercially viable Made-in-Nigeria products. These innovations span critical sectors and reflect our commitment to excellence and self-reliance, he said”
Among the highlighted products are Solar Irrigation Systems, Home Solar Systems, Lithium Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Laptops, Smartphones, Animal Feed Mill Machines, and Energy-Efficient Street Lamps—each designed to improve various aspects of the economy and daily life.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of Business Development at NEXIM Bank, Hon. Stella Okotete, described the promotion of Made-in-Nigeria products as a national imperative.
“By increasing the quality, branding, and competitiveness of our products, we enhance our foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and strengthen the value chain across key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals, and services,” Okotete stated.
To support the initiative, Okotete disclosed that NEXIM Bank had introduced targeted interventions such as single-digit interest loans for export manufacturing and value addition, along with export credit facilities to improve financing access for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The campaign aims to foster a culture of pride and reliance on locally made products, positioning Nigeria as a hub for technological innovation and economic self-sufficiency.
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