The Federal Government has distributed over 5,000 (10 kg) bags of rice, 500 bags of fertilisers, 500 PoS machines and 300 pieces of gas cylinders to the less privileged people in Anambra State.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, who supervised the distribution at the Ndi Ichie Hall, Umudioka community in Awka South Local Government Area of the Anambra State, on Wednesday, assured the people of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to their welfare and security.
Speaking in her address, Kennedy-Ohanenye urged the people to exercise patience with President Tinubu to enable him to clear the rots he met on the assumption of office.
She appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience with the president, saying that before the Tinubu administration came to power, a lot of things had gone wrong, which the president was working very hard to fix.
She said the palliatives were donated to the less privileged to help cushion the effect of the current challenges as a result of some economic policies of the government.
The minister said she was physically present during the distribution to ensure that the palliatives got to the targeted beneficiaries, assuring that the era of diversion of palliatives was over.
She said, “My appointment was divinely orchestrated. I did not contest nor pay for it. I have offered myself to serve my people with all my heart. If they are satisfied.
Mr. President, who found me worthy, has insisted that the poor must have a breath of fresh air. After October 15, we will be launching our ‘Integrity Ambassador and Brigade’ with the backing of the army.
“I have also been empowered with the mobile court to fight bad eggs in society to ensure those things that were earlier done wrong were done right.
“If you feel you can be part of this fight but don’t have the money, you can join the Brigade while the wealthy will be funding it through the Ambassador.
The minister promised further incentives in the coming days, including cash loans, and agricultural inputs, among others.
“You will be getting text messages, requesting your BVN. Don’t be afraid to supply the same, as nobody will defraud you. Students and graduates are also captured but must produce evidence.
“I decided to be physically present to ensure these items from Mr. President are adequately distributed. The era of diversion is over. I monitored the entire process, to ensure that nobody cheated. Everything is transparent.
“Those who are absent and those with red caps are not qualified for these palliatives. We must learn to do things right.
“Just manage whatever you have. We acknowledge the hardship you are going through, but I assure you that it won’t be long. Be patient with the President because he met rot and it will take a while to clear the mess,” the minister added.
Also speaking, the donor of the gas cylinders, the Chief Executive Officer of Smart Gas, Yinka Okpeke, said her decision to partner with the Ministry of Women Affairs, was due to the challenges women were facing, saying the gesture would go a long way in cushioning the sufferings.
Okpeke said, “We want to see how we can help our women who are homemakers so they don’t suffer going inside the bush looking for firewood.”
The state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo, hailed the Minister for her efforts to improve the lives of women and children in the state.
“Today, we are here to welcome the working minister to Anambra. You are representing us well, and we are proud of you. We, the women, will continue to support you,” she added.
The state chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Basil Ejidike, thanked President Tinubu for choosing Anambra’s daughter as minister.