PRESS RELEASE

21st November, 2022

The Honourable Minister, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has presented the Ministry’s 2023 budget estimates to the Senate Committee on Special Duties at National Assembly, Abuja.

The Minister who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary and Directors of the Ministry during the budget defense stated that the total sum of N35,595,233,430.00 only was allocated to the Ministry’s Headquarters in the 2022 appropriation Act. The budget comprises a total recurrent expenditure of N1,073,705,755.00 only and a total capital allocation of N34,510,760,413.00.

On the performance of the 2022 budget, the Minister revealed that total sum of N291,652,083.36 only or 58.3% of the total overhead expenditure was released as at 30th September 2022 while the sum of NI,810,565,093.45 or 48.00% was released for Capital Expenditure for the same period.
She further disclosed that the total sum of N288,041,185.32
Million, or 98.76% of the total amount released for overhead cost was utilized and committed, while 99% of the total Capital releases or the sum of N1,799,286,437.81 only was utilized and committed to finance Capital projects of the Ministry.

On the 2023 budget estimate, the Ministry’s 2023 overhead ceilings was increased from the sum of N499,975,000 in 2022 to the sum of N512,474,375 in 2023. This represents a 7% increase over that of 2022; to cushion the effect of inflation;

Farouq, said It is pertinent to note that the 7% increase in the overhead ceiling is not commensurate to the 20.77% inflationary rate in the economy, conversely, the capital budget ceiling was reduced from the sum of N3,749,510,414.00 to N1,083,017,733 which represents 71% reduction in the 2022 capital budget.

She said “it is pertinent to note that you the 71% reduction in Capital and 7% paltry increase in Overhead is grossly inadequate to run its day-to-day operation “.
Adding that for the Ministry to have seamless operations and accomplish its mandate which is very critical to overall National Development, the Ministry is requesting for an increase/upward review of it’s Capital and Overhead.

Earlier in his Remark, the Chairman Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Yusuf Yusuf, on behalf of the members of the Committee thanked the Minister and her team for the 2022 budget performance and also urged the Ministry to redouble its efforts in carrying out its humanitarian programmes and interventions in the Country.

In attendance were the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, mni, NPOM, and the Directors of the Ministry.

Rhoda Ishaku Iliya
Deputy Director Information

The General Overseer, the Peculiar God Glory Ministry International. Prophet Prince Kunle Hephzibah has called on clerics in the country to always preach the message of love, peace and change of attitude to their followers.

He stated this in Abuja during the monthly program Tagged: Operation feed the Nation outreach programme where he provides a range of services including counseling, feeding poor families and distribution of food items to widows, orphan and handicapped in the community

Baba Peculiar who described love as a key component to success in life, said there is no way Nigeria can be united without love. That is God’s kind of love that has no wickedness, hatred and jealousy attached to it.

He said by next year, he will build schools for vulnerable young children to have access to education and provide employment for adults across the country for them to become productive citizens.

He however called for continued prayers for peace, stability and development of the country. Over five hundred people benefited from the distribution of foodstuffs, relief materials and cash donation.

The General Overseer Peculiar God’s Glory Ministry International. Ambassador, Professor, Dr. Prince Prophet James kunle-Hephzibah has showed love to widows, orphans, physically challenged persons and less privileged as he marks his 46 years birthday @ Peculiar Church Auditorium, Winners Junction, Jikwoyi Abuja.

According to Prophet Baba Peculiar the outreach programme was aimed at giving succour and love to widows, orphans and  vulnerable.

He said as people around the world celebrate birthday with their loved ones, sharing gifts, food and many good things of joy and happiness, he deemed it fit to select less privileged persons, physically challenged persons and orphans, to make them understand that he loves them but God love them more

The prophet who lamented on the issue of education in Nigeria, said that plans are on the way to establish schools where free education will be given to the less privileged because education is the bedrock of success and progress. He added that hospital and school acquisition centres will also be in place for people to have access to good medical care and for job creation.

While addressing the joutnalists, the United Nations representative. Dr Mariam Abdullahi, called on Nigerian women and youths  to be an ambassador of peace, love and unity in the society and at home. She urged wealthy individuals, humanitarian organisations and government to always offer assitance to those in need. She prayed to God to grant the prophet Hephzibah more wisdom, favour and understanding in all his endeavours and for God to grant Nigeria successful and peaceful election next year.

On her part,  the guest speaker. Professor Patricia Foster, advised women to find their area of calling so that God can use them to bless others. She sensitised the public on the importance of sharing love irrespective of ones religion and prayed to God to help the clergy man overrcome all his daily challenges as he turns 46 years.

Over 2,000 Nigeria’s benefited from the food items and cash donation. They appreciate the man of God for his benevolence and asked God for more blessing upon his life and family.

High point of the event was group photograph, presentation of gifts to the celebrant, donation of food items with cash and special gospel music in honour of prophet Hephzibah birthday celebration from the church band.

Press Release

12th October, 2022

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs (HMWA), Dame Pauline Tallen, OFR, KSG has held up education as key for Girl-child development and empowerment as well as being important for the country to have better leaders. She added that “Where Girl-child is not exposed to equal treatment as the Boy-child does not portend good for the home and the Society.

The Minister who made this remark in her keynote address at the “State of the Nigerian Girls Summit” (SONGS) held at the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) Abuja with the theme: “Our time is now, Our right, Our Future”, described it is a clarion call for parents to take matters of Girl-child seriously.

Dame Tallen added that “being a maiden event, the forum is expected to be an annual event where concrete policy recommendations to inform policy directions and interventions are to be promoted to aid the realization of Girl-child potential.”

The Minister while urging parents be a role model for their children, particularly the Girl-child also encouraged men to see their Girl-child as their mother, sister and a friend that should be protected.
According to her, the Summit was conceived to celebrate Nigerian Girl-child and also, to commemorate the 2022 International Day of the Girl-Child which is usually marked on the 11th of October, every year. She emphasized that the occasion was to express concern about social and economic limitations placed on the potentials of the Girl-child, adolescent girls and young women from achieving their aspirations.

The Minister said parents missed it totally when they believe that the Boy-child is better than the Girl-child. She stressed that the Girl-child is made to do house chores, in the erroneous belief that home keeping is only the responsibility of the girls while boys sit idle doing nothing just because it is believed that he is the future custodian of the house.

“We must treat children equally. It is not right thinking that the boy-child is special and his role is to sit while the girl cooks. He would not sweep; he would not clean the house or cook because he is a future man of the home. Gender disparity starts from the home.”

Tallen stressed that men should work with women so that they can understand better what women are going through. Tallen revealed that she doggedly fought against the appointment of a man as Commissioner of Women Affairs in a State in the country. She said she was proud seeing mothers from 36 States of Nigeria gracing the occasion which demonstrated that they love their children; particularly the Girl-child.

While Dame specifically eulogized Aisha Muazu from Government Secondary School, Tundun Wada who is the “Girl-child Representative” at the event for her powerful presentation, the Minister encouraged other children at the occasion to emulate her as they can do better than her, stating that when education and hard work are taken as priority for the Girl-child, they can achieve whatever they set their minds on, to achieve.

The Minister commended the Guest Speaker, Dr. Mairo Mandara who is a Special Adviser to Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum and also, Founder of an NGO – The voice of Nigerian Child, for her enlightening and educative lecture at the Summit, stressing that more of her presentations are needed to bolster Girl-child agenda.

Tallen said as the day is a special day for the Girl-child, parents should see matters concerning their wards as important, calling on parents to support the issue of Girl-child so that children can have a better future.

The Minister enjoined the wives of the Governors and States Commissioners of Women Affairs present at the event to cascade the lessons learnt at the Summit to their Communities and local governments so that girl-child issues will be given the visibility it deserves.

Earlier in his welcome address by Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, while welcoming participants to the event, said the forum is timely as the outcome at the Summit will further strengthen policy decisions on the Girl-child and decisions on young women.

While delivering the special lecture for the Day, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Mairo Mandara focused her presentation on the need to move away from basic education and prioritize post-secondary education for Girl-child in Nigeria; saying that basic education does little for the Girl-child to make informed decision about themselves.

Before the Summit went into panel discussion, there were poem recitation and cultural presentations to add colour to the occasion.

The panel discussion x-rayed the “State of Nigeria Girls” with far-reaching conclusions.

Report by Taiwo Hassan, Chief Information Officer (Press Unit)

Signed:
Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press & Public Relations.