Betta Edu, Gov Lawal Flags Off National Social Register Verification In Gusau, Zamfara

Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, and the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal have flagged off the verification of the National Social Register in Gusau, the state capital, with the Governor eulogizing Dr. Edu as the “Positive agent of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Speaking during the flag-off in Government House Gusau, on Thursday evening, the Minister bemoaned the huge humanitarian crises facing Zamfara and promised that President Tinubu has directed her Ministry to work with the state government to alleviate the humanitarian and poverty challenges facing the people.

According to the Minister, “Zamfara needs immediate support, it is one of the states that in recent times have been affected by humanitarian crises. It has always been a flashpoint.

“We are very confident that we will be able to meet your needs and fulfill our obligations and commitments which is President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s resolve to reduce humanitarian crises and eradicate poverty in the country as encapsulated in his 8 points Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Because it calls for a sense of urgency, President Tinubu has directed that we must work harder to ensure that Zamfara residents fully benefit from all the intervention schemes of the federal government.”

The Minister stressed President Tinubu’s desire to see that every poor vulnerable Nigerian, wherever they may be in the country is pulled out of poverty. She introduced the verification team and charged the officials to be sincere and transparent in updating the Social Register.

She said the flag-off of the National Social Register in Gusau, Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria, has clearly shown that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu has no political inclination.

The Minister Promised the People of Zamfara State that the urgency their humanitarian needs deserve will be addressed, promising that aside from the expansion of the National Social Register, the state will be properly captured in all the federal government social intervention programs.

Responding, Governor Lawal lauded Dr Edu’s zeal and dexterity in ensuring she delivered the mandate of her Ministry.

“In you, we see the positive agent of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. Honestly, I’m impressed with what you are doing across the country”.

“Taking the pains to visit us here in Zamfars shows Mr President’s love and concern for the people of the state and we thank you for that.

“Zamfara has suffered, in terms of insecurity and humanitarian crisis in the last 10 years and I call on the federal government to do more to secure the lives and properties of our people while asking for more social and capital investment in Zamfara State to take our people out of humanitarian crises and poverty.

Speaking further, the Zamfara State’s number one citizen assured the Minister that the state would deliver to her Ministry, accurate data on vulnerable citizens needing the various social intervention schemes of the federal government including the Conditional Cash Transfer, (CCT) devoid of personal or political interest, but truly poor people.

He expressed gratitude to Mr President and the Minister for making the social intervention schemes available to the vulnerable indigenes of the state saying his administration was ready to partner with the Federal Government to ensure their successful implementation.

Earlier in his remarks, the National Programme Coordinator, of the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Hon Abdulaziz Danladi, said the team has been in Zamfara in different communities to verify and update the National Social Register in collaboration with the state government.

Danladi said the data of the Social Register met on the ground in Zamfara State was very encouraging, hence reducing their huge responsibility.

He revealed to the Minister and the Governor, the collaboration between the federal and the state team working together to get an accurate and acceptable register for Nigerians living in Zamfara State.