The Herald reports that the President Tinubu-led Federal Government has pledged to disburse eight months of withheld allowances to N-Power beneficiaries.
This online news platform understands that the announcement comes following the suspension of the N-Power program recently due to concerns regarding ghost beneficiaries and irregularities in fund management.
The affected beneficiaries are those enrolled in the Batch C program who have been enduring a long wait for their stipends.
The N-Power National Programme Manager, Akindele Egbuwalo, confirmed this positive turn of events and assured the aggrieved participants that they will soon receive their long-overdue payments.
During a meeting with representatives of the N-Power beneficiaries, Egbuwalo stated, “The good news is that the funds have been recovered, and you will be getting your money soon. Payment for N-Power Beneficiaries Batch C, who have been owed for eight months, will begin shortly.”
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, under the leadership of Dr. Betta Edu, played a crucial role in addressing the irregularities that marred the program.
The ministry managed to recover the missing funds, offering a glimmer of hope to the disillusioned beneficiaries.
The N-Power program, established during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, aimed to combat youth unemployment by providing a monthly stipend of N30,000 to beneficiaries.
However, the long-standing issue of unpaid stipends due to irregularities in the program’s administration had eroded the beneficiaries’ trust in the government’s ability to provide social safety nets.
Notably, the Batch C beneficiaries had previously written a heartfelt letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urgently appealing for his intervention as they grappled with eight months of unpaid stipends.
The delay was attributed to the non-approval and disbursement of funds into the National Social Investment Management System (NASIMS) account by the presidency.
This promising announcement signifies a significant step towards rebuilding the beneficiaries’ trust in the government and ensuring the program’s continued success in addressing youth unemployment.
As the government rectifies past irregularities, it reaffirms its commitment to providing much-needed financial support to Nigeria’s unemployed graduates, offering a renewed sense of hope for a brighter future.